"The String Is Cut"
by Yelara Zaneth
Liam Zaneth
Dargus Kandran - Leader of the Kandran Syndicate

Location: Various locations around Tae'Karada
Date: Saris 18, 3 ABY

***

"It's done," Yelara said as she stood at the doorway of the cockpit, a small box resting in her hand. "The cloaking mechanism is functioning flawlessly and I've managed to isolate the frequency the transceiver on the tracking device was using." She looked at Liam and slowly walked towards him with the box cradled delicately in her palm. "The tracking device is back in the lab; I wanted to give you the honour of destroying it."

Liam smiled as he looked at the small box. Such a small piece of technology, but it would serve their purposes, and help the High Princess of Tae'Karada.

"I'll destroy it once we've got a pinpoint on the target," he said. "We don't want it to suddenly stop transmitting, and then lose it. I think once we've got the location, we're in. And, with the new cloak, there's nothing to stop us. They won't even see us coming in." He stood from the controls and moved to embrace Yelara. "Have I mentioned that you're a genius?"

Yelara stepped back quickly, holding the box in both hands now. "Careful! This is a very delicate piece of technology. I've been working on it for days. If we lose this, I'll have to start again. This type of cloaking technology is my own creation so it's quite new, plus it's much more intricate than the one I made for the Kestrel. If you ruin it, I'll have to do everything again and frankly, we don't have the time."

Liam wiped the smile from his face and nodded. "I'll be very careful with it," he said. "Is it ready to go? Signal is strong with the cloak active?" He looked at the device and shook his head. "I still say you're a genius."

Yelara sighed and managed a smile for Liam. "Sorry. It's working perfectly and I just didn't want anything to happen to it. It's amazing how a small device like this could be so important." Yelara looked up at Liam and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek. "And thank you, but I'm hardly a genius. You can call me that when we figure out if this thing really works as it's supposed to. The signal seems to be strong, but I haven't had the opportunity to perform any long range tests. I guess we'll see just how efficiently it functions once we plant it."

Liam nodded. "Well, there's only one way to find out," he said. "I've got our course set already. Once we're inside the planetary shield, we should be able to engage the cloak when we're out over an unmonitored section of the planet. Shall we?"

Yelara took a deep breath and smiled at Liam. "I'm ready. I'll just go and prepare the device for launch then comm you when it's set up. After that, we can proceed." Yelara turned to walk away, but stopped momentarily, her back to Liam. "What will we do if this works, Liam? Where will we go from here?" she asked, looking down at the device, one that possibly held the means by which they could seek the vengeance they lusted after.

"If this works," Liam said, "then we'll have to find something to do with ourselves. Perhaps we can set up a shipyard of our own, or a courier business." He smiled. "Or maybe we could join the Rebellion, and try to make the galaxy a better place."

Yelara smiled to herself, holding the box in her now trembling hands. She trembled with excitement, as well as anxiety. If they failed, they would be at square one again, but if they succeeded, they could live free and happy lives. Above all else - even revenge - that's what Yelara wanted. "Be ready to launch the device, Liam. This will work. It must," she said quietly as she headed for the weapons bay to ready their one hope for its fated journey.

"We'll be going through the shield in just under seven minutes," he said. "We're almost there, love."

***

Yelara sat at the control panel, monitoring the device's signal strength. "Everything seems to be working perfectly. I'm getting clear signals - good, strong ones too. The cloak is holding and I'm not detecting any residual bleed. Signal profile is below point oh five nine. I'm getting telemetry data now, and we've got a positive lock out to twelve parsecs. And, it's nearly invisible. No one will ever know it's there, unless of course, they're looking for it."

From the cockpit, Liam grinned. He plugged the data from Yelara into the sensor suite. They'd be able to pull up the information from the device from any station on the Kestrel. "Perimeter security is still green," he said. "No one knows we're here. But, I'd like to keep it that way, so I'm taking us away." His hands flipped through the knobs and switches on the pilot's console and the Kestrel climbed upwards in the atmosphere.

Once they had reached an altitude Liam was comfortable with, he leveled them off and set the ship to hover.

"Okay," he said, moving back into the main cabin, "next stage of the plan. We need to get you to a place to make that call while I make some security arrangements."

"I can go to one of the Comm Stations down below, then I'll suggest to him we meet somewhere neutral. He'll be suspicious, of course, but I'm sure I can convince him to meet," Yelara answered, not daring to meet Liam's gaze. She knew this would be more dangerous than anything they would ever do in their life together. Liam was volatile when it came to Dargus, and if Kandran tried anything during her meeting with him, she feared the lengths Liam would go to to make him pay. "Are you sure you want to be there, Liam? I'm sure the men you've hired can take care of everything."

He nodded. "I'm sure," he said. "Dargus will definitely have his Wookiees with him, and they're good. I'll be okay down there, much better than I would be waiting somewhere else, not knowing what was happening. And, I trust my abilities to keep you safe. I have a personal stake in it, unlike a mercenary. Dargus Kandran can't buy me."

"I just don't want anything happening to you, Liam," Yelara said, finally looking into his eyes. "I know he'll try something, try to touch me at least. I also know you won't be able to sit there and watch as he does. That's what I'm worried about."

He nodded. "I know," he said. "But, I'd rather be there to see that he's not going to hurt you, rather than somewhere else unable to know. As long as he doesn't try to force you to go with him, or hurt you in any way, then he has nothing to worry about from me. I will be fine. Today is not my day to die, and it's not Kandran's either."

Yelara rushed over to Liam, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tightly. "I want this to just be all over," she said, her face buried into Liam's neck. "I want to just be rid of him so that we can leave all of this behind and start living our life together."

He wrapped his arms around Yelara and held her tight. "Yes," he said softly. He closed his eyes as he held her, and just let himself share the moment with her. "When we've done this today, broken away from Dargus, do you want to try to walk away from it? Turn over the information to the High Princess, and just go?"

"The High Princess?" Yelara repeated, looking up at Liam in confusion. "I figured the High Princess would be the last person you'd want to get involved with. You two didn't exactly get along the last time you met. Why turn over the information to her?"

Liam shrugged. "Our goals are similar," he said. "And, she did help with removing the device. And, I guess she's not the demoness I thought she was since she encouraged you to come back to me. She also has resources we might be able to make use of." He took Yelara's hands into his. "If this is going to work, we'll need allies."

"Well, I do like the High Princess and I'm sure she will help us, but," Yelara began, pausing to choose her words carefully, "she will tell the High Prince of our plan, and I'm not certain I trust him. He and Dargus seem similar in many ways and I don't want to hand anything over to the High Princess unless I'm certain it will remain only in her hands."

"I agree," he said. "So, do we want to approach her if we can get her to agree to keep it from the High Prince? Or is that asking for too much trouble?"

"No, she has to agree or it's no deal. I'm sure she wouldn't dare throw away an opportunity like this because she may feel guilty about keeping a secret from her husband. She will agree once she realizes the importance of what we're offerring. She must agree, or we'll have to wait until we've acquired enough resources to take matters into our own hands."

Liam nodded. "Then that's settled," he said. "Now we just need to get you down to make that call. And, then we can try to get on with our lives."

***

Yelara stood before the vidlink at the Comm Station, going over in her mind exactly how to convince Dargus to see her. He would be suspicious, of course and wouldn't agree readily, but there was no way she was going to meet him somewhere of his choosing. The situation was a delicate one and Dargus definitely would not be pleased to hear what she had to tell him, but it had to be done. She had been putting it off, only because she didn't want to return to Tae'Karada and wanted to begin her new life with Liam. She had chosen a remote location to make the call because she didn't want to arouse any more suspicions; Dargus would know something was amiss if he found her making a call to him from Liam's ship.

Yelara punched in the code to Dargus' personal vidlink, hoping he wasn't too busy to answer the call. There was no more time to waste. This had to be done now.

"What is it," the voice of Dargus Kandran snapped before the screen suddenly resolved into his scowling face. When he recognized her on the other side of the comm, his face suddenly brightened. "Yelara. I was beginning to wonder what happened to you. I am glad to see you are safe. We do have some time to make up for, you realize. Where are you? I'll send someone to retrieve you."

Yelara forced a smile and avoided looking nervous at mention of the tracking device. "Dargus, would you mind if we met down here, on the surface? There's something important we need to discuss before we get right back into the swing of things."

"I think we would both be much more comfortable on my ship," Dargus said. "It's not called a pleasure ship for nothing. Come, come, Yelara, just give me your location and I'll send someone. You can tell me how your trip to Corellia went."

"We can talk all about that when we meet, Dargus," Yelara responded, trying to be firm but trying to avoid upsetting him. She knew he would be more upset when she said what she had to say, and if he was already enraged before she even got a chance to tell him, she didn't want to be around him when she did drop the bomb. "Please, Dargus. I wouldn't be asking this of you if it wasn't important. I only need ten minutes. Please."

Dargus' eyes narrowed. "Why the surface, Yelara? Why is it that you don't wish to meet me here?"

"Ten minutes on the surface." Yelara sighed and shook her head wearily. "Dargus, you are far too suspicious for your own good. Will you meet me, or not?"

"Very well," Dargus said. "I will meet you. Just give me a location."

"Somewhere neutral. That's the only way you'd have it, I'm sure," Yelara quipped with a smirk. "How about The Red Swirl? Do you know it?"

"I know it," he said. "I will see you soon." He opened his mouth to make a comment about traps and the punishment for those who tried to catch him in them, but instead only smiled.

Yelara let out a long sigh as Dargus' face vanished from the screen. She left her credit slip in the slot of the vidlink and punched in the coords of Liam's comm device on the Kestrel. He insisted on being there while she dumped Dargus, but Dargus, of course, would not be alone. That's what worried Yelara.

The Tae'Karada Comm Exchange logo was replaced after a moment by Liam's face. He gave Yelara a bright smile when he saw her. "How'd it go?"

"Liam, it's done. He's meeting me at The Red Swirl in about ten minutes and he's bringing reinforcements, as expected. I think we should both show up there before they arrive, just so you can find a place nearby to watch."

He nodded. "I agree," he said. "I've also got a trio of Gamorreans for visible muscle. Two will be inside within sight, one will be outside. I've also got a Noghri blood tracker available, just in case. And, I've also got three humans -- all formerly elite Stormtroopers who have come to their senses -- who will be undercover inside along with me." His smile had a near-feral quality to it, but it softened after a moment. "I'm on my way down now."

***

Dargus and his Wookiee bodyguards entered the Red Swirl with their usual fanfare. He spotted Yelara instantly and snapped an order for the pair to wait for him in the doorway. He put on his most charming smile and sauntered over to where Yelara sat watching him. "Yelara, my darling, how I've missed you. You look well. So healthy and happy. I hope it's seeing me again that's put that sparkle in your eyes."

Despite how much Yelara had hated Dargus, how much she wanted to hurt him right now, the elation she saw in his eyes upon seeing her was affecting her in a way she hadn't anticipated. She wasn't a cold and evil person, not like him, which meant she couldn't sit there and emotionally destroy Dargus with a smile on her face, much as Dargus could. She never loved him, she knew that, yet she had shared tender moments with him, ones that made her feel exactly as she was feeling now, staring into his beaming eyes. Yelara looked away and sighed as she clasped her hands together on top of the sticky table. "Dargus..." she began, her eyes travelling back to his, "how have you been?" was all she could think of to say at the moment. She knew she had to do this quickly, but she was stalling, maybe to spare his feelings or to gather her own.

Liam sat ten meters from Yelara's table. He had a good view of what was happening there, and a clear shot at Dargus if he needed it. As Dargus sat, and he felt the sympathetic feelings toward the man from Yelara, he felt his stomach turn. It took every ounce of will to keep himself masked.

"I'm doing fine," Dargus said as he slid into the chair across from her. He took her hand into his and gazed into those beautiful eyes. "Now, what is this little farce we're now playing?"

Yelara slowly pulled her hand away and placed it in her lap. Her eyes rapidly glanced sideways to where Liam was hiding himself, but watching closely. She knew he'd be in a blind fury if Dargus touched her or harmed her in any way, but she couldn't risk having him show himself. Dargus would be relentless in terrorizing them for the rest of their lives if he knew why she was leaving him, but he had to find out first. "Dargus, I'm sorry that it's come to this, and I know I promised it would never come to this again, but..." Yelara looked down, determined to do this with some confidence, just so Dargus would know she was serious about her decision. "You may not believe me, Dargus, but this is difficult for me."

Dargus' brow furrowed as his mind worked to find some comprehension in her words. His eyes slid to his Wookiees and he gave them a silent signal to be wary. "Go ahead," he said.

"Dargus," Yelara said quietly, letting her eyes find his. "I have to go away...for good this time." She watched his face, waiting for its expression to change and hoping his anger wouldn't immediately be directed at her. "I'm sorry."

Dargus laughed softly. "Oh that's quite rich," he said. "You're away for a bit, and you suddenly think you can tell me what you're doing. You are not going away. You're going to spend the rest of your life chained to my bed if you continue this insolence. I gave you one million credits with no questions asked and you repay me with this? You owe me!"

Liam's hand dropped to the hilt of one of his lightsabers, ready just in case. He glanced to his side where two of the humans he'd hired sat drinking. "Be ready," he subvocalized to them, his voice only audible in the tiny ear pieces they wore.

"I owe you nothing, Dargus. You've already taken so much from me, my dignity, my pride....what more do you want from me?" Yelara said, her voice calm despite Dargus shouting in her face. This was not going well already, which only meant she would have to make a getaway very soon. "I am a free woman, Dargus, and I can leave you whenever I wish. Goodbye," was all she said before she rose from her seat and headed for the doorway.

Dargus growled and followed after her. His eyes blazed with barely contained fury as he motioned for Gor'garr and Mer'rrar to block her exit.

Liam pulled his shroud closer around him as he moved from the table. He would appear as shifting light to those looking closely, but thanks to Dargus all attention was at the door where the crimelord was continuing his confrontation with Yelara. Both lightsabers were in his hand as Liam slowed his approach. He positioned himself directly behind Dargus. The Force was with him, and he could feel that the crimelord could not detect his presence.

"You leave me like this," Dargus said, his voice a low rasp, "I'll make sure that you spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder. I'll make sure you never have another peaceful night's sleep as bounty hunters search you down. I'll make sure the rest of your life is hell." He saw her stiffen at his words, and then decided to try another tactic. "After all I've done for you, given you, why do you do this to me? I gave you money, shelter, the warmth of my bed and the gentleness of my caresses. I have given so much to you, and now you walk out. At least tell me why? Tell me what great crime I, I who have given you more than any other--what great crime have I committed? What can you get elsewhere that you can't get from me? Why, after you gave me your word you wouldn't do this, are you breaking it now?"

"I'm leaving you because I've finally come to my senses," Yelara answered plainly as she turned to face Dargus. "And if you're so worried about your money, you can have it back - all of it. Now remove your wookiees or I will have my guards remove them for you." Yelara smiled and looked towards a dark corner of the room as two armed Gamorreans stepped into view. She looked back at Dargus, a confident grin still on her face. "You didn't actually think I'd come to do something like this without back up, did you Dargus? I spent months with you, so it was only natural I'd pick up a thing or two from you."

"Gamorreans? Against Gor'garr and Mer'rrar? You must be joking. Okay, enough of this foolishness. You want something else. What is it? Just tell me what it is so we can end this very amusing little game of yours right now."

"I don't think you understand, Dargus," Yelara began, still smiling at him condescendingly, "all I want from you is to leave me alone. I don't love you, Dargus, I never could. I realize you may have thought you loved me, but you were mistaken. You loved that I was just another woman for your collection. Well, Dargus, you'll have to find yourself a replacement. I won't be your toy anymore."

"You ungrateful bitch," Dargus spat as he stepped closer. "I have never been as generous with another woman as I was with you. And, this is how you repay me?" He shook his head. "All you ever were was a good screw." He barked a laugh, and then quickly pulled her to him, slipping his arms around her and grinding his groin against hers. "Come on, Yel. One more for the road. One more romp through the sheets to speed you on your way." He salaciously rubbed himself against her and then laughed again. "Well, I guess you won't want that condominium I just bought for you then. Too bad. It was a very nice one."

Liam brought his entire force of will to bear, readying it should he require it. If Dargus made another move toward Yelara, his heart would cease to beat. While Vader liked to crush the trachea, Liam had always found that stopping the heart was a much more effective method of execution. He wondered what Darus Kandran's last thought would be.

Yelara began to panic, hoping Liam hadn't already left his hiding place to slice off Dargus' arms with his lightsaber. She stepped back, wriggling free of Dargus' hands and glared at him. "Even that condo must come with a price, Dargus. And if you hadn't already noticed, a romp is definitely out of the question. I'm sure if you're that needy, you can get one of your wookiees to help you jerk off. Now tell them to get out of my way."

"Fine!" Dargus made an angry gesture, and the two Wookiees stepped away. "I'll just give the condo to someone who deserves such a lavish gift. I'll find someone who keeps their word, and won't try to slam a vibroblade into my back at the first opportunity. You may be a two-faced, conniving bitch, but damn you can fuck. I'll definitely miss that." With that, he strode from the Red Swirl with Gor'garr and Mer'rrar following behind.

Yelara had no idea why, but Dargus' words struck her more deeply than she imagined possible. Surprisingly, she even felt a pang of guilt as she watched him stroll off with his wookiees. Yelara knew Dargus, and in typical Kandran style, he had disguised the pain he was feeling as anger. She knew she'd hurt him, as much as anyone could hurt Dargus Kandran, but the guilt wasn't arising from that. She was more guilty about breaking the promise she'd made to him, one she had every intention of keeping, but all that changed when she joined with Liam in marriage. She couldn't go to Dargus' bed, nor did she want to now. Yet her parents had instilled in her values and a belief that one never broke a promise made, which is precisely what Yelara had just done. Above all else, it was for that reason that Yelara felt completely disgusted with herself.

Once Dargus and his wookiees were gone, Liam took a step closer to Yelara. "I'm here with you," he said, his voice emerging from a shifting patch of light in the air. A quick glance told him that attention was no longer directed toward the door. He let down the shroud and appeared before Yelara almost magically. "Are you alright?"

Yelara was momentarily startled by Liam's appearance, but in the back of her mind, for some reason, she'd known he was there even before her eyes fell upon his physical form. She gave a wan smile and nodded her head as she momentarily glanced back at Dargus in the distance. "I'm fine," she said, her voice sounding distracted. "But I wanna get the hell off this planet now."

Liam knew pressing the issue would be a bad idea, but he also knew that everything wasn't fine. He could sense something more beneath the surface, but he didn't want to probe too far. He had made himself a promise to not do so with Yelara, and he still would hold himself to that. "Okay," he said. "We can be at the perimeter of the system in half an hour. We can hold there or move on while we plan our next move."

He knew what their immediate next moves would be. To the High Princess to deliver vital information, and then the honeymoon they'd put off. They both agreed they wanted to have the honeymoon free and clear of Dargus' influence. So, they decided to put it off until after the meeting that had just taken place. After the trip to the High Princess, their life together would truly begin.

"We can't leave without seeing the High Princess. I don't care whether we have an appointment or not, we have to see her and get this over with," Yelara said firmly. "Then we leave this cursed place behind forever," she spat as she walked out of the bar, towards the Kestrel and away from Dargus, even though the memory of him would be with her always.

One didn't forget a man like Dargus Kandran, just as one never gets over a fear or forget a trauma they've experienced, the memory of which always pops up when they least expect it. Liam, of course, would not appreciate her thinking of another man, especially Dargus, but Yelara had no choice in the matter. He had imprinted himself on her memory now, and even though she was physically free of him, at night, she knew she would still hear his voice in her head, laughing and calling to her to come to his bed. She knew she would never willingly do that again, but Dargus would not give her up as easily as he appeared to tonight, and Yelara could only imagine to what lengths he would go to get her back.

---

"Learning More Than One Thing, Part 1"
By: Kylas - Jedi
Elisia - Padawan

Location: Landro IV
Date: Saris 18, 3 ABY

***

The morning came quietly. Kylas awoke in his berth and came out stretching. "Oh boy." He shook his head and grabbed a wash cloth and a towel and walked to the back of the house stripping down and hopping in for his usual morning bath. "Well, this certainly a pleasant morning." He smiled to himself.

Elisia stetched in bed and smiled. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. Here, in the wilderness, who could hurt her. She was coming to accept that Kylas wanted to just help. His mind had been open to her more than once. She didn't sense any hostility or dishonesty. She had been straight with him; if he betrayed her, she would go to Evie and train with her. She would consider her path chosen. She got up and grabbed a change of clothes, pulling the blanket around her and went searching for a bathing facility.

Kylas was pouring water over himself and the cool crisp feeling he got from bathing in the pond was a good feeling. He didn't like using showers and thus his home had none. He dove under the water for a second not realizing Elisia had come out looking for a bathing area. He swam under the surface in shollow water before standing up in all his glory. "Oh!" He looked shocked. "Um...good morning."

Elisia blushed and immediately turned her back. "I am sorry. I...I was looking for someplace to wash. I will come back." She gathered the blanket more tightly around herself.

"Um...no I'm finished." He grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist. "I'll just go and um...make breakfast." He got out of the water and walked into the house.

Elisia waited until he was gone and bathed also. She put on her red leather skirt and matching halter top. She sat on a rock and sat crosslegged and began to meditate as Kace had taught her.

Kylas prepared breakfast. Not being much of a cook, it was again a stew, different from last night. "Oh, I've been away too long. I'll have to go for supplies soon." He looked around and walked back out to the pond. He found Elisia sitting on a rock. He stood, waiting patiently.

Elisia sensed him. Is breakfast ready? she pathed. She seemed much more relaxed this morning. She didn't look up at him.

Yes. Whenever you wish to finish your meditation you can come and eat. He nodded before turning and walked back into the house. He poured himself a bowl and sat down at the table, pressing his black shirt against him and straightening out a napkin.

Elisia followed right behind him. She was only a couple of minutes behind him. She sat down and filled a bowl. She smiled at the stew. "How about I cook dinner?" she said with a grin.

"Yeah, sorry, cooking was never my strong point." He smiled sheepishly. "So what do you want to do today?" He looked at her. Her training he could hold off until evenings in the cool of the day rather than the warm point; easier for concentration until she was used to it.

Elisia shrugged. "You are the teacher. I have so much to learn, reading.. math; things others learn as children." She hadn't had those opportunities.

"Very well. We can start with a children's book then." He nodded and walked over and grabbed an old worn book. "This belonged to me when I was a child, all kinds of stories and fairy tales." He opened it and handed it to her. "Can you try to read the first few words?"

Elisia had been practicing basic letters and sounds. She was able to struggle through the words but it was clear that it was an effort. She looked up at him pleased. However, not long ago, she couldn't even do that.

"Good." He sat beside her. "The boy found a magic rock, it lead him back along the ..." He looked at her to continue.

"Back along the st-st-er-ee-aa-m?" Elisia looked up at him. "What is a steri-am?" She knew either she had no idea what it was or she had read it wrong.

He smiled. "A stream." He looked at her. "Try and sound the word out and run the sounds together." He smiled. "Let's continue. Along the stream he journeyed for..."

Elisia read to him for over twenty minutes before her eyes began to swim from the letters. They started to run together. She looked up at him frustrated. However, she had made improvement.

He smiled. "Perhaps that's enough for today. you're getting better." He closed the book and gave it to her. "This is yours now." He smiled. "Read a little bit every night and try and read back to me in the mornings"

"Okay," she said with a smile. "What now?" She looked eager and younger than her seventeen years.

He grinned. "Math." He smiled. "Basic addition." He looked at her. "Can you count to ten?"

"I can count to twenty," she said proudly. She had learned doing a street game.

"Good. Now tell me what is 5 plus 9?" he replied, laying both hands flat on the table.

Using a technique she learned on the street, she lightly hit the table and mouthed nine and then counted the fingers on one hand. "Fourteen," she said with a smile.

He smiled. "Excellent." Kylas decided to speed up this process; she was not a child and her mind seemed eager. He spent the next five hours teaching her things like poetry, poise, manners, even so much as to start teaching her other languages.

Elisia never complained. She attended him avidly. She was like a sponge, the more he gave her the more she seemed ready to absorb. She looked up at him as he finished a short lesson on languages. "How did you learn so much?"

"I was drifter before I was a Sith, my father a merchant. He insisted that his sons became masters at many talents if they were to succeed him." He smiled at her. "I had to know a few things to survive." "I had to know things too. But they didn't include poetry or math," she said with a frown. "I learned to hide, to steal and to wish my way out of trouble."

"I learned culture and art. Some business dealings required it. I much prefer the simplicity of flying." He smiled. "But sometimes one must learn for another person." He leaned back. "What do you wish to do?"

"I don't know?" She smiled at him. "You are the master." She liked being able to say that.

"Well, I don't know about you, but after a few hours of non-stop learning, I'm hungry." He smirked and got a glob of butter on the end of his finger and dapped it on her nose. He laughed.

"I am always hungry," she admitted with a laugh, wiping the butter off.

"I will fix it though. I want something other than stew." Elisia hopped up. It took a bit, his larder was bare but she soon set a wonderful smelling dish in front of him. However, it didn't look as good as it smelled. "Street Mash. It is good trust me." She dug into her plate, smiling at him.

"Uh huh." He looked at the plate and drew a fork up looking at it. He took a bite. "Not bad." He smiled and ate his meal. "Well, normally we would start your tarining. What kind of things do you wish to learn?"

"To protect myself," she said firmly. That is what she wanted most, to not live in constant fear.

"Very well." He nodded. "What kind of protection would you like to learn first? We've covered much of the basics." He smiled.

"How can I hide better what I am? I swear I have a sign over my head that says girl with power, catch and manipulate," she said with a sarcastic grin.

"Well, there is a trick, called Force stealth," he replied...and suddenly he was gone.

Elisia looked around in surprise. "How did you do that?"

He tapped her on the shoulder. "You have to be able to turn your mind inward and elude other senses." He smiled. "You have to focus your mind to its own core and basically pretend you're invisible." He smiled.

"If I hadn't seen you do it, I would have said that was impossible," she said with complete surprise.

"You have to be able to turn your own sense into something inert to others and become invisible to them." He nodded. "It'll take some practice."

"Tell me what do first...to practice so I can do that?" she asked eagerly. After all they had done early, she should have been tired. But the more he showed, the more she wanted.

He looked at her. "Alright, look at one point in your vision. Focus on that point and all your senses to that one point. When you feel lost in that place, release everything and look above this plane into another." He looked at her.

Elisia coudn't focus on one point. Her attention was too easily distracted. But she knew what she had to practice now. She finally gave up, looking at him with a frown.

Kylas looked back and almost laughed. "Well Elisia, it'll take time to learn. You have to learn discipline as well to keep your mind on task." He smiled. "That and you may very well be tired." He smiled.

"It isn't even evening yet. I can't be tired," she said with frustration. But the truth was, she had a slight headache. Maybe she was tired. "I think I will go for a swim."

"Very well." He smiled. "I think I will join you." He nodded. "It is a nice day."

"Umm, I don't have a swimsuit," Elisia said turning a deep red. She looked up at him uncertaintly.

"Hmm...well I can give you a tunic and shorts to wear or you can stay under the water." He shrugged. He wasn't sure how to respond. "Or we both go naked?" He was only trying to be fair.

"Okay. Give me five minutes to get into the water." She knew she could never wear his clothes, she was too small. She grabbed something to dry with and headed for the water. She quickly stripped down and walked into the water until it covered her. Elisia liked being in water; she didn't really know how to swim and so was careful to check for footing as she splashed about. City girls didn't get opportunities to swim.

Kylas stipped down and walked outside. He couldn't believe he was doing this. "Hmm...perhaps this isn't fair after all." He quickly walked into the water. "So how do you like swimming?"

"I like water. It is a little cold," she said, turning her head so he could get into the water.

"So, you like water but never learned to swim?" He dunked under the water and surfaced, lightly splashing her.

"I didn't ever have a place to learn at a time someone could teach me," Elisia said, splashing him back with a laugh.

"Well care to learn now?" He looked at her. "You have the place and the oppurtunity." He splashed her again.

She looked at him uncertaintly. "Well, okay." She would prefer a swimsuit, but there was no place to purchase one.

"Well okay. First you should learn how to hold your breath." He tried to think of how to teach her that.

"I know how to hold my breath. I had to do that enough on Silvenies Two. Planet had too many toxic plants for any one planet. More than one area of the city was horrid," she said with a grin.

He laughed alright. "Well, then we have to teach you how to float." He swam behind her. He wrapped his arms around her. "Just relax," he said soothingly and took a deep breath, allowing his body to float with her atop him.

Elisia had a hard time not thinking about the fact they were both naked. However, she wanted to get beyond such things. She forced herself to relax. She was so slim that floating was not easy at first.

He pulled his body away once she was floating. "Okay, take a deep breath and hold it." He stood beside her, resting his arms under her upper and lower back supporting her gently.

Elisia managed to float and smiled up at him. She suddenly realized how much of her body was bare to his vison and lost her concentration and sank. She came up sputtering and blushing.

He swam beside her and lightly rubbed her back, tapping it gently. "There, there. You okay?" He looked into her eyes. "What happened? You were doing so good."

"I lost my concentration," she said, dipping herself lower into the water.

"Oh, come now. You still overly shy about your body?" He looked at her. "The water is so murky here, you needn't be." He furrowed his brow.

"I can't help it," she said, frowning. "I...I am afraid of being touched and...people seeing me as something other than a child."

"You are more than a child though. You are a young woman." He looked down. "But as for being touched, some things can be faced and conquered."

"I thought I had. But..." Her eyes welled with tears. "I don't want to be afraid. I don't know how not to be."

He thought for a moment. His eyes had a look of confusion. "Now this is a problem for you." He furrowed his brow. He got an idea, but she might not like it. "Oh boy. I have an idea but you might not like it all that much."

"What?" she said, watching him closely. "That is okay. I think I will just swim. I am getting used to the fact that you don't have clothes," she said with a blush.

"Oh, well then we shall continue the lesson." He smiled and nodded. "Shall we learn some basic strokes?"

"Okay," she said. She was indeed becoming more at ease with their undressed state. Though she caught herself sneaking more detailed looks and then would blush at the realization.

He shook his head and swam behind her again. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her up slowly. "Okay move your arms in a semicircular arc, and kick your feet in a scissor motion."

Elisia learned quickly and soon managed to basically keep herself afloat. It would need practice, but she would get it. "Thank you!" she whispered.

"Alright." He gently laid her on her stomach with her still above water, his arms under her body. "Now try kicking and using your arms in strokes to stay afloat and move forward." He smiled at her. "And you're very welcome."

Elisia made good progress, both in swimming and accepting his touch and naked presence. It wasn't long before she was too tired to swim anymore. "I need to stop," she finally admitted, putting her feet down on the bottom and sinking into the water to her shoulders. She shivered with cold.

"Are you cold?" he asked, swimming behind her and gently wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his body. "How is that?"

She giggled. "I think getting out would be much more conducive." She blushed at the intimate contact. "At least, it would be to warming up physically."

"Oh. Right." He nodded and slipped one arm under her knees and another around her back and scooped her up and walked out of the pond. He kept his eyes up and straight ahead and carried her back into the house and laid her down on the bed grabbing a few towels and handed her one. He dried himself off somewhat and wrapped it around his waist.

Elisia toweled off and pulled a blanket around her. She smiled. Elisia wondered if she should point out that he had gallantly carried her back, but her clothes were still down at the pond. She looked up at him. He looked so handsome in only a towel and her breath caught as she realized she was staring. She blushed and picked up the towel to dry her hair.

"What's wrong?" He turned around. "Oh right. Your clothes." He shook his head. "Sorry." He grinned sheepishly and walked out and was back a second later and layed them on the foot of the bed. He went to his cupboard and opened it and looked through for night clothing.

Elisia just watched him. She was tired. They had filled the day with much: book learning, defense, and even swimming. She should get up and dress so she could cook dinner. But the warm blanket and bed felt heavenly, so she just curled up and watched Kylas. He was different than Kace, more open. He had that same confidence that must come with the power they both wielded. She supposed she should feel lucky. If he hadn't shown up, she probably would have gone with Dargus and Evie.

---

"Learning More Than One Thing, Part 2"
By: Kylas - Jedi
Elisia - Padawan

Location: Landro IV
Date: Saris 18, 3 ABY

***

Kylas turned around and saw Elisia sitting there. He smiled. "Just hold on." He walked out and about ten minutes later came back with a small dish of berries. He sat on the bed beside Elisia. "Here." He took a few berries and fed them to her. "This should help for a meal."

Elisia didn't say anything. She let him feed her the berries, watching him closely. She didn't know what was changing, but she knew something was. She felt relaxed and wonderfully tired. The berries were sweet and juicy. She picked up a berry and without thinking, gently held it to his lips, watching his eyes.

He smiled and ate the berry. "What would you like to eat?" He smiled and sat beside her and continued to feed her the berries. "Supper should be interesting if I try to cook." He smiled and lightly tickled her ribs.

"This is enough for me." She giggled and tried to move away. "Better than stew again," she teased.

"Oh, well I'll have to go get supplies tomorrow." He smiled and lightly tapped her nose. "You need something more of a variety." He laughed and offered her some more berries.

Elisia ate the berries. "Can I go with you? If I am to cook more, I would like a say in what you get," she said with a grin. "I can buy it if need be?"

"I'm afraid credits have no value to these men out here little one." He smiled. "They value women and a natural Thesian gas which I have a ready supply of on this property. I've got the gas to trade for them as fuel for their generators, and I'm not trading you. If you want to come, fine, but stay close to me." He looked at her. "These people, many are not quite susceptible to Jedi mind tricks." He lightly caressed her back. "I don't want to see you hurt again."

Elisia paled a little. "If that is the case, I would feel safer with you then left here alone while you go," she said quietly. She did not move away from his light caress. She picked up a berry and forced a smile to her face. "Besides, I want something to bake with and you have nothing."

"Oh, you bake?" He smiled. "This I have to try. I make bread but that's about it." He picked the dish up and rested it on her lap before he started to feed her again.

"I learned to cook when I worked in a kitchen for a short while. The cook soon learned I was safer with vegetables than glass and porcelain." Elisia sighed with contentment.

He smiled and rubbed her shoulders. "A bit of a butterfingers were you?" He smiled and gently but firmly rubbed her upper back and back across her shoulders.

Elisia sighed with pleasure. "Hmm...I guess. I had a knack for cooking. But then, I love food." She closed her eyes, just enjoying his touch.

"I love food but I don't have a knack for cooking." He smiled and rubbed her lower back.

"Well, you make a mean stew," she pointed out with a grin. "At least you won't starve if you can make bread. Though if I lived here alone, I probably wouldn't cook much, just graze."

"Yes, but I don't live alone now." His hands moved gently up her back. His thumbs applied pressure along her spine. "You live here." He leaned forward and kissed the center of her neck.

Elisia went quiet. She pulled the blanket more tightly around herself. He was becoming very familiar and she was suddenly a little scared. First, because intimacy had only pain associated with it. Secondly, his touch reminded her body of delicious sensations and she liked it. She didn't want to like it, but she did.

"Are you okay?" He rested his chin on her shoulder. "You seem to hurt when paid attention to." He kissed the side of her neck. "Want to talk about it?" Despite the blanket, he managed to slide his hands around her front and interlace his fingers on her belly.

"Because every time someone pays attention to me physically, I do get hurt," she pointed out quietly. She didn't move away though, she leaned back against him taking a deep breath.

"Your memories of touch are all bad." He turned his head to her. "Perhaps you should make memories that are better, with you in control." He smiled to her. "I mean you should learn to not push everyone away." "Why?" she asked. A simple question, but yet one that carried much weight.

"So you can find someone who you can share the most simplest but most thrilling pleasure in the galaxy with. Even if not everyone is right for you someone is." He pulled his hands back and caressed the sides of her arms. "So you don't have to be alone and find who you wish to be with. Your life cannot remain empty forever. You will have to pick up the pieces sometime."

"It is easier to stand alone. If you remain alone, then no one can hurt you. You live alone here. Or did until you brought me, right?" She looked up over her shoulder at him. She could feel the heat of him through the blanket.

"Not always. Only a few years. But I learned it's harder alone. If you are like a mighty oak you break and can fall, but if you are like the ironclaw that lives in swamps held up by others, as well, as supporting others you live a much longer life despite the harshness you face." He turned and rested his chin on her shoulder again.

"I am afraid," she said simply. "I try not to be. It just happens. Everything inside me just freezes up all cold." She rested her cheek against his.

"Really? This whole talk you have relaxed and loosened up," he mildly pointed out. "Perhaps good memories exist for you even from last few days." He gently rubbed his cheek against hers. And rubbed her shoulders a little bit.

"I do feel more relaxed than I have in a long time. Well, as long as I can remember," she said with a soft sigh of contentment. "But even so, when you kissed me, I still felt the coldness."

"You take it slowly. You feel cold because your fire for this may be out. A light and gentle hand can help you to rekindle that light." He turned her head slightly and lightly pressed his lips to hers,

Elisia started to pull away from the initial kiss. She let the kiss end and then turned to face him. "Doesn't intimacy with your student make it difficult to teach?" she asked softly.

"Not really, because you are my first student. I'm playing by ear on this, but the closeness and intimacy can help me get closer to you and understand what you need." He kissed her chin lightly.

"And is it?" she asked with a soft grin.

"I don't know. Do you like what you are feeling, or do you feel cold now more than before?" He kissed her again much deeper than before, letting his tongue explore her mouth.

"I am not as scared as before," she admitted, looking into his eyes after the kiss ended. Her heart was racing and she blushed deeply.

"What do you wish to do?" He smiled and caressed her face. "You lead and I shall follow you. I want to know your feelings and help you."

"I have...I have only once. I don't know how to lead." Elisia was no longer counting her rape as a child as experience. Kace had taught her that there was a difference.

"Then I will lead you gently, teaching you what I can. If that is all right with you?" He leaned forward and kissed her neck and let his hands lightly caress her sides as he blew lightly on the side of her neck along to her earlobe.

Elisia was a little awed by this. This was tender, soft and warm. There was a gentleness that she was unsure of how to respond to. It was hard to explain and yet she knew it was something she had not encountered before. She kissed him again, this time with a little more passion.

"We do as you wish." He looked at her. "This is for you to once again be able to feel a human touch and take control of that aspect your life." He lightly pulled the blanket away from her body and massaged her shoulders and kissed her deeply again. He lightly feathered kisses across her face.

His touch heated her blood, warming her through. "I thought such touching was supposed to be with tender emotions," she said, looking into his eyes. "We don't know each other very well." Her hand reached up to stroke his jaw line.

"Don't we?" He looked at her. "We have shared something much more intimate than this. We have joined and shared our minds and learned the darkest and most private things about one another." He smiled and gently stroked her back.

"I hadn't thought of that," she whispered. She leaned up and kissed him tentatively.

He gently returned her kiss allowing her to control the rate at which they moved. He massaged her sides soothingly. He returned the kiss. He kissed her chin and down her neck. He used the tip of his tongue and dragged it slightly along her neck to her other ear and kissed her ears along its outer edge, while his hands gently massaged her breasts.

Elisia's hands went around his neck. She kissed him deeply. At least here, she knew 'he' wouldn't be sleeping with someone else with in the next twenty-four hours. Her body responded to his touch and she laid back on the bed, pulling him down with her.

"How do you feel?" he asked softly and kissed her along her collar bone and drew light circles around her breast with his fingertips.

"Nervous," she answered honestly. "Someone told me recently I was too much a child to...to hold a man's attention." She looked up at him uncertainty, the hurt clearly etched in her soul and reflecting to him through her eyes.

"You are young yes, but you are not a child anymore." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "You must realize this for yourself or they will always pull that back on you." He bent his head down and kissed her breasts and gently licked over them. "You have my attention don't you?"

I had held Kace's attention long enough for him to... Elisia shoved the thought away. She had to get passed him and her past. She was tired of being haunted by the actions of others. "Yes, I guess I do," she said with a soft answering smiled. Her hands began to explore cautiously.

He leaned up and looked at her. "I am not Kace, I will not run away." He kissed her deeply and let his hand slide down her side and caress her hip. "I want to show you that." He kissed her neck and licked away at her soft flesh.

Elisia moaned softly. His touch was igniting feelings she had sworn never to access again and only recently. Her kisses became more demanding, her hands more curious. I would like that, she pathed, unable to speak.

"Here let me show you something," he whispered in her ear and crawled down her body. He kissed the top of her foot, lifting her leg up and slowly kissing up her calf. His free hand massaged its way up her other leg. His kisses trailed up her inner thigh.

The sensations were almost sinful so great was the pleasure. His touch had a way of reassuring her. It was warm and firm and yet intoxicating. Her fears slowly ebbed away under the constant reassurance of his touch and gentleness. She moaned his name softly as his kisses trailed higher.

His hands stroked her hips as he kissed up her thigh and across to the other. He ran his hand up her belly and massaged her gently, calming her down best he could before his attention was drawn to her sex. He kissed her warm flesh and nibbled away at her lower lips

Elisia gasped at the change in sensations. Her hands tangled in his hair and her soft moans, encouraged him. It felt as if her whole body were aflame.

He licked away at her lower lips and kissed her soft flesh. His hands strayed back to her chest and massaged her breasts, lightly pinching her nipples. His tongue drew past her lips into the waiting warmth beyond. Elisia arched with pleasure at the gentle invasion. Her hands slid up his arms where his hands caressed her breasts. She didn't know what to say or do; the sensations were so intense she could not think. The barriers she kept around herself at all times mentally came crashing down as her thoughts raced and pleasure suffused her body.

He massaged her breasts more firmly. He pulled her legs over his shoulder, knowing that she was enjoying this. No one has ever done this for you before. He licked away at her insides moving up higher, finding the softer flesh yielding. The tip of his tongue moved over her bump.

Elisia shook her head. She couldn't answer him. She was too engrossed in what he was doing to even be embarrassed. A stray thought forced itself across her mind. She shouldn't be doing this, she didn't even know him that long. But, she shoved it away as the spring within her coiled tighter. "Kylas, please?" Elisia wasn't even sure what she was asking him for.

Kylas looked up at her. "Patience little one." He dug his tongue back into her and explored around her soft yielding flesh. He darted his tongue in and around as deep as it would go into her. He took hold of her hands and held them gently. He lightly separated her lower lips with his mouth and suckled her bump softly.

Elisia thought she would go mad, so great was the intensity and the pleasure. Her hands clenched his tightly as the sensations coiled within her. Finally, the coil broke and she cried out as waves of release swept over her.

Kylas gently licked away at her to heighten the waves. When Elisia finally settled, he kissed her belly. "Feeling better?" He smiled, looking up at her. He continued to gently kiss her belly.

Elisia's breath was still coming quickly as she looked up at him. "Yes." She reached down and grabbed his face, sitting up to kiss him passionately. There was no more concern about touch, lack of clothing or even intimacy. She just wanted him.

He groaned as she touched him. "Are you sure of this Elisia?" He was taken back by her boldness. He caressed her face and lightly tangled his fingers in her hair enjoying the silky feel. He smiled down at her. "You don't have to do that if you don't want to."

"I want to," she said hoarsely. She smiled at him and trailed kisses back up his body, straddling him. She kissed him deeply. "Make love to me?" It was more begging than a question. She had a need to feel desirable and wanted along with the physical need he had created.

He smiled and looked at her. He slowly rubbed his manhood against her before joining with her. "Is this better?" He pulled her down on him as far as he could reach into her.

Elisia's eyes closed with pleasure as she settled onto him. She set the pace, slow and deliciously sensual. Her hands braced on his chest. She was determined to please him as much as he was pleasing her.

He moaned and looked up at her. "My...someone is enjoying playing the minx." He smiled and tickled her ribs. "What made you feel different?"

"I don't know," she said with a grin. She slowly increased the pace, teasing and yet giving them both pleasure.

He smiled. "Hmm...that feels good. How about this?" He smiled and drew his hand down her front, slowly massaging her sex around his manhood as she moved. He leaned up and gently started to suckle her breasts. "Tease." He smiled and kissed her neck.

"I am not...I don't have enough experience to be a tease," she said with a moan of pleasure.

He laughed. "At least you're feeling better." He smiled and suckled her breasts again. Resting his hands under her legs he pulled her up and down on him with longer strokes so she would enjoy it more.

"I feel wonderful," she replied through gasps of pleasure.

He rolled over with her under him. He gently spread her legs and started to more slowly almost languorously into her warmth. He kept a slow and steady pace and massaged her thighs as he moved.

Elisia was in a place of tormenting delight. She moved against him willingly. Gone was the shyness, the fear and even the concern. She was just a willing and pleased lover. Her hands caressed wherever they could and her soft moans where almost continuous.

He smiled down on her. "I want to share my pleasure with you." He smiled and bent forward kissing her deeply and his thrusts grew faster. He opened his mind to her and joined with hers letting his passion and pleasure be with hers.

The increased pleasure and the mixture of hers was too much. She opened up as well, a complete melding of body, soul and mind. Elisia felt as if she would die of pleasure.

He moaned and released into her. His body bucked against her slightly. He finally stopped for a moment enjoying the feelings. "More?" He looked at her and smiled, lightly feathering kisses over her face.

She shook her head no. She pulled him down beside her and curled tightly to him. The feeling in her body and mind was overwhelming. "Are you all right?" He kissed her forehead. "Did it hurt?" he asked with concern.

"No, it was wonderful." She buried her face against his neck, just breathing. Her mind was still open to his and she had nothing left to hide. It felt more wonderful than her body.

He smiled. "I'm glad." He wrapped his arms around her and drew the blanket over them. "What do you wish to learn tomorrow?" He smirked. "We head into the settlement after we bathe and then back to training?"

"I would rather you decide. I have spent my whole life making decisions. You can choose what I learn, master," she said with a soft smile. "I am totally yours to command."

"No, you are not." He looked at her kindly. "You are a person not a slave. Perhaps though we should work a little with the lightsaber, tomorrow, and maybe on some more telepathy." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Besides, I think we're a little more than Master and student after these past few days."

"Then what are we?" she asked carefully.

"What do you want us to be?" he replied.

"I asked you first." She watched his eyes closely.

"We are what you wish us to be," he replied. "If you wish to be student and master we are. If you wish to be friends we are. If you wish us to be more...then we are." He looked into her eyes. "I do not want to force you into anything."

"I don't know what I want. I guess to at least be friends. I don't know about more. I haven't known you very long and yet I know so much." She looked up with a soft smile.

He smiled. "Half the fun in life is the journey and learning." He smiled and kissed her lightly. "Rest now, Elisia. You have learned much today."

Elisia curled up tightly against him. She was partially afraid to let go. However, she was soon fast asleep, a soft smile on her face. Truly relaxed for the first time in a very long time.

---