"Arrival"
Cole Slaton

Location: Space Port, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

Moonlight shone through the top window, hitting the wall in front him. The wall was faceless, emotionless, a blank dark grey wall. He'd been staring at it for what seemed an eternity. Leaning against the wall his eyes continually looking ahead trying to find the answers. Trying to work out the mess he now found himself in.

***Two Days Ago***

The transport roared down towards its port of call, the main docking port for New Plouton - not the largest on the planet but certainly the busiest, or that was what the people working there believed.

The transport glided down towards his station. He hated the job, the same thing day in, day out, making sure the computer did its job and that the pilots followed the assigned routes. The large red and black transport was fresh from Coruscant, the express, no stops along the way.

Three hundred and twenty listed passengers, then add another hundred who weren't. He looked up at the time, slowly counting down the hours of his shift; he swore that the clock had stopped.

"Transport Ikirii, docking port is clear for your approach," he said, leaning back on his chair, looking out of the window. He saw three other transports, two on his left the other on his right coming in to land. He knew his colleagues were having just as much fun as he was.

His eyes returned to the large transport slowly growing in size. Its reverse thrusters fired, sending huge flames of superheated plasma out of the exhausts, bringing her to a controlled stop. The mechanical grapplers grabbed onto the front of the transport with the shock-struts taking the impact, bringing her to a complete stop.

"Transport Ikirii," he said, opening the channel. "Welcome to New Plouton, power down your engines and hook power into the grid. Have a pleasant stay." There wasn't much of a reply from the pilot, as he expected. Normally all he got was grunts or abuse.

The side of the transport opened out. First the thick outer hull doors, giving the transport protection as it carried no weapons of any kind, there was a large gap in between the inner and outer hull where the inner shielding ran. The transport was of a new design the geniuses back home had come up with it: twin shielding, the outer shielding was tougher than most with the inner even better.

The inner door hissed open, steam rushing out of vent lines as it swing outwards, hooking onto the outer hull. An access ramp quickly folded out, hitting the ground of the docking port. It didn't take the waiting passengers long to disembark. Cole Slaton was one of them.

He was one of the unregistered passengers. He'd spent most of the trip in the 'Down Below' sector of the ship. Every ship or space station large enough had one, and planets for that matter. Cole stepped out into the sunlight, his eyes squinting as he looked up. People pushed past him, knocking into his shoulders as they walked by but he ignored them all.

A smile slowly crept over his face as he looked up at the city before him. Granted he couldn't see much past the large docking yard of the spaceport but what he could see was almost like Coruscant, almost like being home. He slung his small bag over his shoulder and stepped forward.

He had a small black wire coming out of his left ear connected to an earpiece which was out of sight; heavy metal music was being blasted into his head almost like he had front stage seats at a concert, though he'd never be able to afford the tickets. "One day..." he mused to himself as he finally stepped out of the spaceport into the real city of New Plouton.

His only weapon was a small blaster in his belt; it wasn't very accurate and its charge was almost dead - he'd get two shots at the most before it was dead. "As useful as tits on a fish." It was one of those sayings that had stuck in his head. Though for the life of him he couldn't remember who'd said it.

Probably one of those low life mechanics he'd spent a few months with, or his friends back home, or that asshole and so called 'Crime Lord', though a thug was more appropriate. Cole had to admit his choice of career did have a lot to be desired. That was one of the reasons he left Coruscant, that and the fact the police were probably going to be knocking on his door when his friends ratted him out to get a shorter prison sentence.

He didn't like the idea of prison. His ass was his alone and nothing nothing will ever go up - out, yes but never up. His eyes looked around him like a tourist seeing the city for the first time. He couldn't really hide the fact he was new; he didn't know much about the city only the information he could scrounge off those aboard the transport. "What a name... Ikirii..." he smiled. It was one of the worst names he'd heard.

There were two reasons he chose Tae'Karada for his new life, one - with the fall of the Empire's grip on the planet it was ripe for opportunities, two - there was the fact this was the first transport leaving the system and it was direct. Fate it seemed was on his side. Cole would never, ever, consider himself a religious person, what kind of a 'God' would do the shit he'd seen in his life on the streets. Newborn babies just left out in the gutter to die of starvation or the cold, to be nothing but food for the vermin that lived in the sewers.

Then there was Cole himself, mother died at child birth giving life to Cole, his father a career military man, a heroic captain of the Navy vanishing without a trace leaving Cole alone in this sucked up galaxy. "Thanks..." Cole cursed as he kicked a stone in front of him.

To say he was religious was very big statement.

He suddenly stopped in the entrance of an alley, though he didn't actually notice this fact, his attention was on one thing and one thing only. The hotel across the street with a huge flashing sign along its front wall, "SATISFACTION", that and with very explicit posters it spelled only one thing in his mind. "Prostitutes..."

He was just about to step over to the hotel when a strange feeling came over him, something in the back of his mind. But he shook it off. That was when two hands reached out and grabbed hold of him, one covered his mouth, stopping him from crying out while the other dragged him into the alley.

"Stop your struggling!" a voice shouted as Cole was thrown into the wall. He slammed into the alley wall before falling into a bin, spilling out its contents all over the floor. Cole reached out, his hand squashing something; he looked down and instantly wished he hadn't.

"Ahh...shit..." Cole moaned, looking around for something to wipe it on. His eyes fell on the man who dragged him into the alley; two more men came out, joining their friend. They were human, or at least used to look human, one of them looked to be at least a hundred years old with his skin hanging loosely over his bones which were clearly visible.

It was the man beside him that caught his attention; he was the complete opposite, a mountain of nothing but muscle. "Give money!" the large man shouted. As Cole slowly stood it was obvious by the way the large man spoke that was all he was, just muscles, not even a single brain cell in the large head of his. "Now...!"

"I'd do asss he asksss..." the old man finally spoke, his words coming out of a mouth with no teeth. He spoke as if he was trying to do the worst impression of a lizard or snake speaking; Cole would have bet he'd win. "Joll doesssn't like being kept waiting; he tendsss to break thingsss... Give usss all your money!"

***

He glanced from one man to the other. He didn't want to give them his money, it was all he had to get him started. This was not turning out at all as he planned. "You don't want to do this," Cole said, looking from the old man to his large friend. He saw something in the man's eyes as he looked up, it wasn't like he could see it but feel it as he looked at him. He didn't want to do this. "I don't want to hurt you!"

His attempt to sound threatening was wasted. The old man thought that with the three of them they had him outnumbered and with their large friend definitely out-muscled. It wasn't the large muscles that came at Cole first but the man who'd grabbed him inside the alley. He launched himself without warning.

Cole saw the punch that came towards him. He instantly dropped his bag and ducked out of the way; almost five years on the streets taught you one of two things: survive or die. Cole easily stepped to the side and heard the man's fist hitting the wall, a bone crunching impact that caused a gut wrenching cry to escape from the man. Cole grabbed the man's shoulders and kneed him in the stomach twice, knocking the wind out of his lungs before throwing him to his side, face first into the wall.

He fell to the side, a bloody smear left on the wall with the blood slowly trickling down to the floor. Cole reached under his brown filthy coat and brought his blaster to bear on the two men still standing. It was an action that stopped Joll from attacking.

The old man's eyes showed his hatred and anger. He no longer cared about how much money or credits Cole had, he wanted blood. "You haven't the gutsss..." he hissed. "Kill him, Joll, rip him apart...!"

But Joll hesitated, looking from the old man to Cole, standing in front of him. "Don't..." Cole whispered, shaking his head. He didn't want to waste the shots on him or the thin decaying old man.

"What are you waiting for? I sssaid kill him!!" At that Cole aimed the blaster and fired.

The red energy pulse shot through the air, at the old man. It struck him dead centre in the chest and passed right through him, the pulse exploded out through his back cutting a small hole in his body. The old man blinked three times staring right ahead of him at Cole, his mouth partly open as if he was about to say something but Cole had stopped him. He finally collapsed his muscles loosing the battle against his weight; the old man struck the ground hard kicking up the dust and dirt that covered the alley floor.

The giant was at a loss, he looked from the old man to Cole and back again, it was as if he couldn't make up his mind whether to go to his friend or attack Cole as he was told to do. Cole didn't wait for find out; he quickly grabbed his bag and ran off. He stopped at the end of the alley and looked back down; the large man was still standing in the same place.

Cole looked away but as he did he caught something on the wind. A voice. "What do I do now?" Cole knew it was Joll asking the old man. He couldn't believe how rotten he felt. His hands grip on the blaster tightly until his fingers began to ache. It wasn't like he wanted it! They'd forced him! He was just minding his own business!

He looked up at the hotel and sighed; he hurriedly walked across the street and entered the establishment. "A room!" Cole said, his hand slamming on the table in front of the sleazy looking man.

"25 for the room," the man replied, all six eyes staring at Cole.

Once Cole had reluctantly paid the man he gave him a key card, the second floor, number seventeen. Cole took the steps two at a time, wanting to get to bed. He felt tired and dirty. He finally entered the room after some problems with the key card. At first Cole thought the ass had given him the wrong key but after what seemed the hundredth attempt the red light turned green and the door unlocked. The door hissed open, sliding to the side and Cole stepped through. It wasn't much but - he'd seen worse, far worse.

The first thing he did was get undressed and climbed into the shower. The steam rose up all around him as he stood underneath, allowing the hot water to run down him. "What a fucking day..." he cursed, shaking his head. After twenty minutes in the shower he felt suitably clean and returned to the bedroom.

"Good evening..." a young and quite attractive woman said, lying on top of the bed. Cole stood perfectly still in the room, his eyes roaming up and down her form before finally resting on her red eyes. She was leaning up on her elbows, her mouth slowly opened with her tongue licking her lips seductively. "My name's Clia, and you are...?"

"Not important," Cole replied, stepping over to his bag, opening the tie. He reached inside and made sure his money was still in the hidden pouch at the bottom. So she hadn't robbed him.

"Come now, Mr. 'Not Important' if we robbed everyone who came to this hotel no one would stay here." She didn't really say it with much conviction which gave Cole the impression that stealing did occur but they were just too good to get caught.

As Cole stepped away, dumping his bag in the corner by the window Clia slowly sat up and slid off the bed, her bare feet silently touching the floor directly in front of him. Her hands came up to his face, running down his neck over his chest and stomach. "Is there anything I can do to make your stay...more enjoyable?" she asked, her hands finding what they wanted.

Cole's heart was racing away from him, his breathing deepening as he stared into the two fiery eyes. "You can do several things, but one particularly comes to mind." She didn't need any more encouragement; she pulled Cole closer, still holding onto his hardening sex, kissing him strongly on the lips.

The kiss didn't last as she slowly pulled away, her tongue licking out, tracing the edge of his lips. He was shocked to see her tongue could reach out a good seven inches. Things were definitely looking up, literally.

She knelt down in front of him easily and, slowly untying Cole's towel around his waist, she threw it to the side, discarding it without a second thought. Her eyes were instantly drawn to Cole's bobbing cock directly in front of her; it pulsed and twitched in anticipation.

She smiled and opened her mouth; her snake like tongue came out, lightly touching his head, bringing a sharp gasp from Cole as he stood in front of her. Her eyes joined his, locked together as her tongue continued to grow, wrapping around his cock. Holy...shit... Cole thought.

It was even more arousing having her eyes looking up directly at him. She edged closer, finally encasing him with her mouth, sucking on the tip of his cock before her hands reached up, grabbing his ass, pushing him forward against her. It was incredible having her mouth sucking him with her tongue licking up and down his shaft. It reached down to wrap around his balls, squeezing them gently. Her hands grasped his ass, pushing him against her; Cole's hands were at his sides, both in tightly clenched fists, feeling his whole body tensing.

She continued sucking his hard cock, playing with his balls with her tongue; finally she could feel his cock shaking, pulsing as he was about to cum. He moaned, finally grabbing the back of her head, burying his cock in her mouth repeatedly until he came. He shot the load inside her; he could feel her lips pushing up against his groin while the tip of his cock pushed up against the back of her throat. But she never gagged. She didn't give any sign of discomfort in any way or form; in fact she seemed to enjoy it just as much as he was. Cole didn't know how much was real or acting and frankly he didn't care.

She continued to suck on him, pulling back almost until he was out before pushing him back in. She didn't stop until he was softening inside her mouth and until she knew he was spent. "Mmmmm..." she moaned, licking her lips. "That was nice."

Cole grinned, helping her to feet before lifting her up onto the bed. Cole went about undressing her. He slowly slid the zip down at the side of her very revealing dress. Her firm breasts popped out as if they'd been struggling to get free ever since she put the dress on. Cole continued pulling the dress off until Clia lay completely naked. Other than the blonde hair on her head she was completely clean. Cole's hand ran down her thigh, finishing on her sex. No stubble; it was like she'd never had hair there before, like she was born without hair, only on her head.

Cole smiled, moving down on her. He spread her legs out and started kissing down each thigh, going lower and lower, receiving slight moans from Clia. He had caught her scent long ago and saw her juices glistening in the light as it ran out of her. Cole covered her sex with his mouth, licking it from the bottom slowly all the way to her sensitive nub.

Cole reached forward, his hands grabbing her breasts, squeezing them hard. He lapped up her juices, tasting her sweet nectar. He found her clit and started flicking it with his tongue while flicking her hardening nipples with his fingers, lightly pinching them. Clia's head rocked from side to side as moans escaped from her. Low screams echoed around the room almost like high pitched squeals.

It wasn't long before Cole was hard again; he continued to lick Clia's sex for several more minutes, enjoying her taste and her moans before he moved up. Her arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a kiss. Her legs did the same with her lower lips kissing his cock. He entered with pushing through, causing Clia to squeal inside his mouth. Her ankles pushed up against Cole's ass, pushing him further into her as he started pumping his cock into her soaking pussy.

It was incredible. The fact she was tasting herself on his lips and tongue only seemed to heighten what he was feeling. His strokes became faster and harder as he pounded his cock deep inside her pussy. He was an animal. First the bed started to shake; Cole didn't know he was too engrossed in what Clia was doing to him. He grabbed her hands lifting, her arms up above her head as he hungrily sucked on her breasts.

The side table was next, shaking violently. The vase on its top flew across the room, smashing into the far wall. By this time they both had their eyes closed with Clia crying out, shouting, pleading for more. The table was almost thrown over, crashing to the floor; the sound was joined by Clia screaming out as she came with Cole. He pushed his cock deep inside her, shooting his seed. Clia's walls clamped around him, squeezing the last of his semen, mixing his cum with her own.

They both collapsed on the bed with Cole lying on top of her, his head resting in between her breasts. They were both panting, out of breath, sweat covering them. "Looks like...you need...another shower..." Clia whispered in between pants.

"A...small price...to pay..." Cole countered, smiling, their bodies still locked together.

***

It wasn't till morning he saw the damage - the bedside table overturned with one of the drawers fallen out, lying on the floor, the smashed vase on the other side. He'd woken up alone; Clia had obviously gone during the night. Cole had instantly checked his bag and found the money still there, well most of it. She'd taken 20 for her 'services' which brought a smile to his face. It was one of the most expensive shags he'd had but it was damned worth it.

"Every cent..." Cole said with a genuine smile. He just hoped he could find a girl half as good. He started picking up the pieces of glass, putting them in the bin. It was still early, close to nine if he had to guess as he couldn't be bothered to look at his watch resting on the chair with the rest of his clothes.

Once he'd finished cleaning the broken vase up he stepped over to the chair with his clothes. He picked up his boxer shorts and slid them on before his torn trousers.

He needed a break, he need to get his name recognised so he could get some jobs. But how? He thought this over as he slipped on his socks and boots. It was then he heard a knock at the door. He smiled thinking it might be Clia coming back for more.

"Who is it?!" he demanded, rising from the bed.

"Police!" came a thick male voice through the doorway. "Open up!"

Cole's smile instantly vanished; he'd only been in the city a day, he wasn't important enough to track all the way from Coruscant. Then it hit him: he'd shot that old man. If anyone had seen him that could easily point in the direction of this hotel and it would take much to get the information from the guy at the front desk. Everything came crashing down around him, his dreams, his plans for now and the future.

The fist knocked on the door again along with a call this time from a different voice ordering him to open the door. Cole turned, grabbing his shirt and leather jacket. But he didn't have time to put his brown overcoat on as the police over-rided the lock, opening the door.

Cole instinctively grabbed his blaster and pulled the trigger. It fired but the blast was weak, hitting the first man through in the chest, throwing him back against the wall. Cole turned, not waiting to find out if the blaster had another one in it.

But he didn't get far. The authorities quickly opened fire. Cole got two steps before he was hit in the side, throwing him into the window. The police speeders were parked on the street outside and two hovered above close to the roof. Cole smashed through one of the windows on the second floor and fell down. He crashed down, slamming into the roof of one of police speeders, severely denting it and injuring him.

A policeman climbed out of the speeder, rubbing his head as he looked up at what had hit his speeder. Blood trickled along the metal frame of the vehicle.

***Present Day***

He sighed, waiting for inevitable. Killing a man, shooting at the authorities possibly even killing the policeman who stormed into his room. He was going to burn for this, he knew it. The only sound other than his breathing was of his silver chain dangling from his right ear.

He sighed, still looking at the wall in front of him. The bed stood beside him, running along the wall that stood directly in front the door but Cole was in no mood to use it. The fall hadn't injured him severely, though the authorities were shocked to discover this; they initially thought Cole was dead. He wished it had killed him.

He was scared. He couldn't stop his hands from shaking. He suddenly heard the bed shaking as the metal shook, hitting the floor and the wall. "Stop it..." Cole whispered, burying his head in his lap, wrapping his arms around his knees, hugging himself tightly. He started to rock back and forth until the bed stopped shaking but his heart was beginning to hurt as it continued to pound in his chest. It knew what was coming.

---

"A Hot Day"
By Quistis Knox
Evan Akesha - NPC

Location: Golden Beaches & Coronet, Capital City of Corellia
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

The sun was strong that day, burning the skin of the people that were on the Golden Beaches. These several beaches were the coastal front of the capital city of Corellia, Coronet. Mostly searched by the people of Coronet, but it was never overpopulated since the Corellians love wide open spaces.

The soft breeze of fresh air that came from the ocean was enough to bare the hot sun; it was almost pleasant and a unique sensation. It felt good to every one that was on those beaches.

The ocean was calmed with some waves, but the people were on the ocean bathing on the cold waters to refresh themselves to sustain that hot day. On the water and on the beach was almost every species that liked this ritual to go to the beach, but the majority were Humans, most natives of this planet.

Quistis enjoyed the beach. Every time that she wasn't making bodyguards to her good friend Evan Akesha or a job for the cult or off world in other planets, she would come here and work on her tan. She would enjoy to do this more often, but her work took too much of her time. She moved softly with her hands over the sand, to feel the particles of sand on her hands.

She used sun glasses to hide, especially the color of her eyes. She usually used to be a freak with that color of her eyes. At least when she was off duty, but also it was an excuse to hide her identity since people looked different with sun glasses, but at least nobody disturbed her, but there were those men that tried to get a date with her, but she said that she wasn't interested.

A sound of a beep came from one of the pockets of her black coat. She quickly picked up her comm and activated. A face of a young woman appeared.

"Akesha, is there any problems?" Quistis said as she sat over the sand, without moving her sun glasses.

"Sorry to interrupt you on your free time, but I need you here as fast you can!" Akesha said as she was distracted by someone on the other side.

"I'm on my way, Akesha!" Quistis turned off her comm and got her things that were laid on the ground and made her way to her swoop.

She drove off through the streets of Coronet making her way in the middle of two speeders. She stopped a few minutes on the intersections. After thirty minutes in the middle of the traffic she arrived downtown of Coronet where the Headquarters of the Brath'Nam Inter-Galactic Guild was.

She parked her swoop and walked through the main entrance of the building that said Ix Technologies. As she stepped in the middle of the entrance hall the security guard activated quickly the door of personnel and opened the door to her. She stepped through the entrance and smiled to the security fellows.

She entered the aero lift and activated to the last floor.

She stepped through the huge office with vivid tones of red. A few marble statues and a huge tapestry in front of the desk bought in Treasure Ship Row where it had different of complex tapestries of different alien cultures. She walked to near the desk of black tone of red. She looked everywhere for Akesha. She saw her on the balcony of her office. She stepped through the balcony. "Akesha my humble apologies from my delay the traffic to here was horrible."

"No need to apologize, Quistis. At least you today have been on the beach. I on the other hand, I don't go to the beach over five to seven years," Akesha said as she looked back to Quistis, who was standing at the entrance that divided the office and the balcony.

Quistis walked to be a side Akesha and looked to the beautiful city of Coronet. "What are doing here? Making a pause from your work," Quistis said, joking to Akesha has she walked beside her.

Akesha let go a little laugh and a smile. "I have this huge headache and that tone of red is the cause. Gods, how my father liked that color, to tell you the truth one of these days I will change the color of that office to every color possible except for the red one. I'm sick and tired of that color," Akesha said as she looked to Quistis who was laughing but trying to contain herself. It was then that she saw a strange marking near her right ear. "Quistis what is that you have on your right ear? I never seen it before."

Quistis looked to Akesha and with her right hand removed to the side her hair that was covering the markings. "This is the symbol of my clan. Every Kiffar has to have tattooed the symbol of their clan on their face. This symbol represents my clan, The Knox Clan. It is called by other clans the Eye of the Pyramid."

"Yes it certainly looks like as they call it," Akesha said, without moving her eyes away from the tattoo.

"Anyway what is the problem that needs my skills to be solved?" Quistis said, quickly without making Akesha to pursue that subject.

Akesha realized that was a touchy subject or probably about her clan or family was not well with her. Probably family problems or something, but she was not going to insist on the subject. "Yes. The Triumvirate is expanding the Brath'Nam Inter-Galactic Guild to few systems in the Outer Rim. The problem that our representative in Tae'Karada is somewhat, let's say that they don't like his recent efforts." Akesha paused. "They want me to choose someone to supervise things there."

"You want me to supervise right?" Quistis said as she looked to Akesha's eyes.

"Yes. Also you're the one for the job since the planet has a Hutt that controls a crime syndicate. It is possible that he wants to charge for opening since it's mainly a shop and a profitable one. Hutts only care to make more money and the Triumvirate has its own deals with the Hutts, so the order's not to give up to any of Jadda's threats. Since you are Cleric and you speak Hutt. You do the Math! You're good for the job," Akesha said as she walked back in to the office accompanied by Quistis.

"I see. I will go has soon has I'm ready..."

"Quistis while you are there can you investigate if there exists any Imperial Computer intact and if it is there any blue prints about the Tarkin's Super Star Destroyer. I still don't believe that they didn't want the use my virus that would shut down every system of his ship and the virus would last after everybody on board was dead."

"I think in that, they thought it would be better to be destroyed than to be used by someone," Quistis said as she looked to her friend.

"Yes, that is true, but it was one of a kind, the SSD could improve at least our ships and others. By destroying the SSD we jumped almost twenty years to the past. Just try to find the blueprints or at least any clues where the SSDs were built it still is a mystery, I want that technology," Akesha said as she seated behind her big desk.

"Very well, Akesha, I will do my best!" Quistis said, starting to walk away from the desk in the direction to the exit.

"One more thing. Here is something to entertain you during your voyage. Enjoy!" Akesha said with an ironic smiled, throwing a datapad to Quistis.

Quistis grabbed the datapad in mid air with her left hand. Quistis smiled towards Akesha that was information to be studied about Akesha's mother, but what use it would be if she was going to the edge of the Galaxy and any clues about Akesha's mother would be here, in Corellia, but she didn't want to ask why the reason was on the datapad and during her voyage she was going to found out.

---

"Last Performance, Part 1"
By: Nieme Yaresh
Dani
Talara Sorenne [NPC+]
Neron and Qual Tregat [NPC+]
Kael Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Kimara

Location: Various Locations, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

Nieme's lips curled into a shrewd smile and her eyes shifted languidly up from the padd to their window overlooking Yesdol. "My, my, my," she drawled, "isn't this a most delightful turn of events." Still admiring the cityscape, Nieme blindly tossed the padd over her shoulder, allowing her Force awareness to seek out Dani and bring it down gently onto her lap. "Take a look."

Dani did as Nieme asked and glanced at the datapad and smiled. "The Palace," she said. "Oh, and doesn't she look lovely too? My dear Nieme, I think we've found something to do tonight. I'm getting wet already."

She chuckled. "Then go get ready. It looks like we haven't much time." As Dani rose to do so, Nieme raised a hand to halt her. "And summon Talara. I wish to have a word with her."

"Of course," Dani said, and gave Nieme a sweet smile. "I'll send her in here at once." She then left the room, giving Nieme a sight to enjoy on the way out.

A minute later, Talara walked into the room, her hair pulled back in a tie and a smile on her face. "Dani said you wished to see me," she said.

Nieme swivelled around in her oversized chair, and passed her eyes over the girl slowly and with a grin. "Come...we have much to discuss." She chuckled as she patted her lap.

Tala moved forward, her lithe movements belying her youth and revealing her sexuality, released and encouraged by Nieme and Dani. An observer might have equated her with a cat, though quite possibly more of a kitten compared to Nieme and Dani's cats.

Once the young girl was straddling Nieme's lap, and her hands were already seeking out the silky flesh of Talara's thighs, Nieme gripped the girl's mind with her own, ensuring they had all the privacy they needed. We're going out this evening, Nieme's voice sang. I think it would be a perfect opportunity to test Dani's loyalties...don't you?

Talara gasped, then nodded. "I understand," she whispered loud enough for only Nieme to hear.

Nieme chuckled vocally and continued her caresses, moving them to Talara's hips and sliding them towards her chest. Now, you haven't told her a thing, have you? The thoughts were reinforced with a vicious gleam in Nieme's eyes, and a detectable roughness in her handling of Talara's breasts. You wouldn't do that to me, would you, Tal? Hm?

"Nothing," Tala urged. "I wouldn't say anything. I wouldn't betray you, Nieme."

Like Dani wouldn't? Nieme's fury resounded in Tala's mind and she harshly grasped the girl's arms to give her a swift shake. Would you betray me, Tala? Tell me!

Talara gazed levelly into Nieme's eyes. She called upon the Force for strength, and answered, "Never." Deep inside, she found herself surprised at the truth in the statement. "I would never betray you, Nieme."

Her promise, bolstered by the resolve she felt reverberating through the Force, and in Talara's fierce gaze, had Nieme crushing the girl in her arms and kissing her furiously. She would make a perfect replacement for Dani. Breathless, and sufficiently aroused, Nieme pulled back and smiled at her young apprentice. "Then tonight," she whispered. "Tonight is the night we test Dani's loyalty." And if she fails...you know what you have to do.

Talara nodded gravely. "I know," she said, and then she leaned close to Nieme and kissed her. "I will not fail you," she added.

Nieme embraced Talara again, tenderly now. "Good," Nieme whispered. "Now, go get ready and wear something comfortable. We have a long night ahead of us."

"Would you like to choose my outfit for me, my Mistress?" Talara asked, snuggling closer to Nieme.

"No," Nieme replied slowly. "I think you should help Dani. This way, she'll suspect nothing, especially," she whispered while dragging her lips against Talara's, "if you're extra nice."

Talara slipped a hand down between Nieme's legs. "I'll be extra nice to her then," she whispered. "And, I'll wear something that's easy to get out of."

Nieme grinned. "I'm very proud of you, Talara. You're coming along better than I could have imagined." She kissed her softly, then murmured, "Now go, my love."

"I'll see you soon," Talara whispered, then slid off Nieme's lap and started across the room, giving Nieme a nice long look as she did. Then, she slipped out the door and started toward the room she shared with Nieme and Dani.

Sighing, Nieme reclined against her chairback, oddly unconcerned with Talara's task for the evening. If Dani was required to die to ensure success for her plans of domination, Nieme would allow it, and watch unscrupulously.

***

"Those fools." Neron Tregat, still without a shirt and now pacing across the bedroom, laughed incredulously to his brother. "Did they actually believe we wouldn't hear about this? Maeren Shivral returns to the Palace, and it's not going to be broadcasted all over the newsnet?"

"This is Kaysa and Maeren and Keeve Tarrel we're talking about," Qual said. "They're not exactly the most intelligent people in the galaxy, actually rather far from it. If something stupid needs to be done, I count on them being the ones to do it."

"And they have," Neron said. "So...we're going." He stopped to face his brother. "Right?"

"Oh, we'll be there, with a few of our closest friends. Time to add a few new faces to our stable of sluts. Let's get the ship ready."

Neron chuckled and saluted his brother. "I'll get the musician. Might as well taunt him with a look at his precious girl...just out of reach."

Qual laughed. "A very nice touch, my brother," he said. "I'm glad you're on my side instead of Zale. He'd probably just want to stick his dick in something, rather than using his head to our benefit."

"Then you should probably keep him at home," Neron told him as he stopped in the door. "It'll give Musician a day off." He chuckled.

"Should we give Zale one of the other boys to play with? He seemed to enjoy the young one, Kash, the other day. They were quite...vocal."

"Why not," Neron answered with a shrug. "He's dead soon anyway. Might as well let him enjoy the rest of his days."

"True," Qual answered. "I'll send Kash to him again. I'll also have Nezrim set up the holocams again for Kaysa's benefit. I think she'll enjoy the show they put on together, don't you? Very delightful."

"Though, it won't be as entertaining a show as that blonde bitch's tonight." Neron snorted and idly smoothed his hand over his chest. "Well, I'll see you in the hangar bay. Can't miss the show, now can we?"

"Definitely not," Qual said with a wicked smile. "Let's get ready, and make sure Musician's in something special tonight, especially if the weather's nice and warm on Tae'Karada. We'll have him oiled up in the ride there, and maybe we can earn a few extra cred off him tonight."

Neron grinned hungrily and slipped out of the room, his bulging pants clearly indicating his approval of that idea.

Qual watched his brother leave with a smile, then departed to get himself ready for their night.

***

"Right over there," Talara called as they whipped their speeder bikes through the traffic, heedless of who they cut off or upset. They didn't really care. Her bike swerved in front of an older SoroSuub Skyracer, and sent it off into another lane. Nieme and Dani followed, trying to maneuver to there favourite parking spots, rife with lots of male and female flesh, fresh for their hungry appetites, though nothing could compare with their appetites for each other, especially Nieme's.

"Look at the line!" Nieme hollered, then gave a peal of laughter. "Poor fools. They'll be waiting for hours!"

"But, not us," Dani said with a smile. "They won't know what hit them tonight. I really hope we don't have to kick anyone out of our seats this time."

Nieme scowled at a speederbike up ahead, nearing her favourite parking spot. "Or their bikes," she retorted. Narrowing her eyes with extreme focus, she flung a tendril of the Force out at the bike's handlebar and yanked back. The vehicle lurched to one side, its driver attempting to regain control. Nieme giggled as she pulled harder. The speederbike veered away erratically into traffic, raising alarms and vulgar shouts from the other drivers. Nieme snickered and pushed the bike forward towards the now vacant spot.

Dani giggled. "Oh, that was beautiful," she said. "Oh, we're going to have to do that more! Just play with traffic some day."

Talara squealed with delight. "We have to!"

Nieme's smile was cold and ominous as she stared at Dani's back on the bike ahead. "Yes...we'll make a day of it," she replied. "Dani, I commend you on a most wonderful idea."

"Just think of what we could do around the spaceport," Dani said with a wicked smile as she slid a hand over Talara's chest, on the bike next to hers.

Nieme's icy stare seemed to impale Dani's back with daggers of pure, frozen rage. With a low growl, she took a hard right and swerved into the parking space. She deactivated the bike, and hopped off, black cape riding the air and smoothly settling down again behind her. Watching as Dani and Talara did the same, she sighed. It's been fun, my love...but I must think of my quest. You're only in the way.

Dani and Talara brought their bikes to a stop next to Nieme's, and quickly hopped off next to their mutual lover. Dani frowned at the seething rage coming off Nieme. She put it off to what they had to do, putting aside the paranoid feelings within her that Nieme's dark anger was directed at her. Talara, on the other hand, slid up against Nieme and circled her with her arms. With lips nuzzling against Nieme, she gazed longingly up at her Mistress. "We're ready," she whispered.

Nieme grinned and kissed Talara's brow. "Let's go." Slipping an arm around Talara's waist, she strode imperiously towards the Palace, leaving Dani to follow up behind them, alone.

Using Nieme's anger to her advantage as a cover for her presence, Laedra Vorrel watched the menaces manipulate their way into the club. Darkness seeped from their every pore, and it took everything Laedra knew of the Force to shield herself against it. She sighed heavily and leaned her back against the ferrocrete wall, concealing herself between the two buildings only a short distance from the club. They were growing more powerful by the day, and they had to be stopped. Activating her wristcomm, she brought it towards her mouth. The voice on the other end replied. "Kael?" she whispered.

"Here," came the quiet voice from her wrist. "I can see them from my position," he said. "What's the plan?"

"We let them get settled," Lae told him. "Then you have to lure Nieme away. I'll handle Dani and Talara on my own."

"Of course," Kael said. "We should get inside then. I'll take the stage door and slip in where I can be close enough to their location to let Nieme see me. I'll let you know where their seats are once I'm inside."

"I will be waiting." Laedra smiled at the device. "May the Force be with you, Kael Selrid."

"You too, Laedra Vorrel," Kael said, and then clicked off his comlink.

***

"Stop fidgeting." Keeve again attempted to secure the necklace around Kimara's throat, but another nervous shift in footing caused the hook to miss the loop. He sighed and clamped down on Kimara's bare shoulder with one hand. "Stop being so nervous, will you?"

"Sorry," she whispered. "It's just...there are a lot of people out there, Keeve. I just...what if I don't do it right?"

"You will," he assured her, then gave further comfort but tenderly pressing a kiss to her throat. "Just dance," he whispered.

She moaned softly and opened her throat to him. "I'll dance for you," she whispered softly, earnestly.

"If you need to," he said, then pulled away and finally clasped the necklace in place. "Now, get a last look at yourself and relax. You're on in five." He moved past her towards the door, saying along the way, "I'll be up front, in the audience."

"I'll find you," she said, and then hurried a few steps after him. "Keeve? Can I...can I get a kiss...for luck?"

He stopped before the door, inwardly hoping she would ask, but outwardly appearing reluctant. With a heavy sigh, he faced her again, only to have his lips possessed by a smile at her resplendence that evening. Golden hair was swept back and clasped at the back of her head by a jewelled clip; ringlets spilled down from it to caress her bare back, one Keeve rested his hand on as he drew her closer. Sparkles coated her pouting lips, and the sequins material of her costume reflected silver spangles against her chest and arms. Keeve's other hand ran up along one of them, and he felt the skin raise against his palm. She was so much like Shiv, yet so different. Even so, he lowered his lips to hers, allowing them to brush briefly. "Good luck," he murmured against them.

"Thank you," she breathed, though somehow managed to keep herself from collapsing against him. "I'll do wonderful for you."

Keeve smiled crookedly and brushed a thin strand of hair from her brow. "Do it for yourself, Kim," he told her. "You'll never fail that way."

She nodded slowly. "Thank you," she said. "I'll knock their boots off. Which is where boots belong anyway." She made a face that showed just what she thought of boots and footwear in general. It gave Keeve the urge to kiss her again, which he did, after cradling her face in both hands and covering her lips fully with his. This time, he allowed his mouth to part and felt hers do the same.

Her arms slipped around him and held herself close. She heard a soft moan escape her lips and she smiled inwardly. She would happily stay there all night.

Before they could become too engrossed in the kiss, a knock came at the door and one of the other dancers poked her head through. She giggled boisterously. Keeve pulled away quickly, cleared his throat and spat glitter from his mouth, then straightened out his jacket. "Show time, Mrs. Shivral."

"I'll see you after the show," Kimara whispered. "And, maybe we can do more of that..."

Keeve chuckled and ushered Kimara out of the room, giving her a pat on the rear to get her going. "You'll do fine, Maeren. Just keep your eyes on me."

"I'll never take them off you," she said. "I...I still have to do the thing upstairs, right? Whatever happens there, I'll be thinking only of you."

Keeve grasped Kimara's arm at the last moment, halting her in the doorway. His throat knotted as he gazed down into her eyes, ones that were at once sorrowful and hopeful for the love she might win if she performed Keeve's bidding. He sighed and shook his head. "You're not going upstairs," he told her. "I won't let you."

Her face brightened as her stomach knotted and unknotted under his gaze. "Okay," she whispered, her voice a mixture of relief and love. "Thank you."

Keeve smiled as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "Anything for my wife," he whispered. And meant it.

She quickly leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. "And, more of that after the show," she whispered as they started calling her name from down the hall. She gave him a wave as she hurried on, and a look that said much, and all of it both good and bad for Keeve Shivral, who had a wife on a distant planet, a wife who was identical to the young woman before him. She finally turned away, and rushed off, leaving him with the sight of her bare back and swaying hips.

Keeve groaned miserably and sank back against the wall. His life just got more complicated.

***

Dani finally managed to catch up with Nieme and Talara as they were settling into their seats. At the end of the aisle, a trio of very upset young men glared down the row, but made no move to reclaim their seats. Raking a scathing glare across Nieme, Dani dropped down into her seat next to Nieme, and found herself uncertain if that was where she actually wanted to be.

"Drinks," she said, as if the thought miraculously dawned on her. Nieme smiled at her companions. "We should get drinks...and on the house. Talara, my love, would you care to do the honours?"

"Gladly," Talara said, and then leaned up to kiss Nieme. "I'll be back in a minute."

She grinned and caressed Talara's cheek. "Half a minute," she amended. Then watched the girl slink away, admiring her with a serene smile. "We've come far with her." Her eyes flashed towards Dani, and at once they were cool and glaring. "We should be proud."

"Should?" Dani asked, her features neutral.

Nieme laughed heartily. "Of course! But you, my dear...you don't look at all happy." She pouted playfully and gazed at Dani with doe-eyes. "What's wrong? Why so down, my flower?"

"So, you've decided to grace me with your attention," Dani said, her voice hard. "What have I done to displease you, my star?"

Nieme's expression depicted shock and confusion, but her lips still held a hint of a smile. "My love...I was simply trying to make our Talara feel wanted. She's growing stronger by the day, and we must be certain we have her complete obedience and loyalty. Or would you rather she turn on us?"

"But you continue to treat me as if you expect me to turn on you," Dani said. "What do I need to do, Nieme?"

"Nothing," Nieme whispered soothingly. She leaned in towards her lover, sliding a hand over the smooth leather encasing her thigh. "I have to give her more attention, Dani," she told her. "She needs to feel completely loved. If, for a moment, she feels left out, we could lose her. Do we want that to happen after what we went through to get her?"

"She loves both of us," Dani said. "Do you really think that will continue when she has to choose between us because you seem intent on driving us apart? Nieme, don't deny it because you know you're doing it, but...but why? Why are you trying to push me away, to distance yourself?"

"I'm doing no such thing," she said between clenched teeth. Her hand dipped between Dani's thighs, but there was no tenderness in the action. "I told you I was doing this to curry favour with Talara. Don't you feel that I still love you, Dani?"

Dani reached down and grasped Nieme's hand. "All I feel from you, Nieme, is hate," she rasped. "All I feel is anger, and seething rage, and most of it is directed at me."

Nieme chuckled and gingerly removed her hand from Dani's. "We are creatures of hatred, of darkness, Dani," she replied sententiously. "Anger and rage is all we should feel. Hm?"

"You used to love me," Dani said. "Not long ago, actually. Perhaps you're only capable of feeling anger and rage now, then perhaps this is no longer my place. If all you can do is hate me, but still insist you must love Talara, then I don't want any part of this. I can't stay where I'm hated."

Nieme's eyes filled with sick glee and a venomous laugh ripped from her throat. "He was right... Koran Darr was right!" Her features contorted into a mask of disgust as she leaned in towards Dani. "He said you'd betray me...he was right," she rasped. "You're already doing it."

Dani gave a wry laugh. "It's funny about some predictions," she said. "It's very easy to make any prediction reality if you force it enough. I have had doubts about some of what we've done, Nieme, but I would have never betrayed you, not over that. But, now...your willingness to just cast me aside for something that he told you, told you to cause doubt, to tear us apart..." She leaned close to Nieme. "He wanted to cause a rift between us, to make us easier for him to stop. Together, Nieme, we are stronger than any of them. But, divided, we cannot stand against them. He played you, and he appears to have succeeded."

"No," Nieme growled, panicked and enraged at once. She gripped Dani's arms desperately, jerking her close enough to steal a rough kiss. "You've been acting so different," she whispered quickly. "And then his words.... That's all, Dani. I swear!"

Dani leaned in to Nieme, briefly feasting from Nieme's lips. "He played you," she whispered. "But, I'm still here, Nieme. I'm not leaving you, and I'm not betraying you. You are my heart, the brightness in my life. I love the fun we have, the havoc we cause, but the killing and death hurts. But I still love you, Nieme. I love you, Nieme."

"But...the killing is necessary," Nieme told her, pleading. She nuzzled her lips to Dani's cheek, and throat, then embraced her tightly. "We can't succeed if we don't kill. Will you turn your back on me if I ask it of you?"

"I won't like it, Nieme," Dani whispered, "but for you, I would do anything. You are my star, and my everything. I would never turn away from you, not for anything."

"Good," Nieme cooed into Dani's ear, then pulled back to kiss her fervently. She sensed Talara's presence as she returned, but ignored it to quell Dani's suspicions and fears. "I love you," she whispered, and gazed into her lover's violet eyes. "Let's just watch the show. We won't think about any of that now, okay?"

"I think we're going to have to ease the pain together tonight," Dani said. "On each other, and I think we can ease it even more by sharing Talara. I think she'll like that too. It'll bring the three of us even closer. Maybe we could marry each other, all three of us. Kaysa has two husbands; I want two wives. You can be my First Wife, Tala can be my Second Wife. How does that sound, my Nieme?"

She smiled tenderly and again embraced Dani. As content as she seemed, her eyes still held a roiling darkness. "It sounds wonderful, my love," she replied. "Just wonderful."

"Maybe tomorrow," Dani whispered, "after our fun."

At the edge of Nieme's vision, a familiar shape appeared, his profile distinctive in the low lighting of the Palace. Blond hair was pulled back behind his head and the billowing cloak he wore did little to hide the physique beneath it. His eyes swept across the stage, and then turned toward the other side of the auditorium. For what he sought, none could say, but he was there, less than ten meters away.

His essence caressed her consciousness, much as he had her own body what seemed an eternity ago. The desire she still shared for him immediately flared to consume Nieme's entire being. She pulled away from Dani with a gentle gasp, and searched. Following his throbbing aura made it easy to find him, standing there alone, waiting. He smiled. For her. "Dani," she murmured. "I have to go for a bit." Focusing on him, she absently rose as if under his bewitching spell.

Dani nodded as she sensed the change within Nieme. "Of course," she whispered, and then grazed her lips across Nieme's hand before she was gone. "We'll be here."

Nieme mumbled acknowledgement, then drifted away from the table, leaving Dani's hand hanging empty in the air. The only thing entering her vision as she swayed across the club was Kael, only ever Kael. You came, she whispered to him in her mind. You finally came back to me.

Kael glanced to Nieme, and then motioned with his eyes to the exit.

She nodded unsteadily and smoothly changed directions, following her first, true love. Her feet moved faster to mirror her rapid heartbeat. Don't go, she called out to him. I'm coming.

Follow, came his answer. Outside.

And she did, without pause, without even thinking of the possibility that this was a trap. She simply followed him as he turned out through the door. When Nieme was through, into the secluded backalley, she rushed into his arms and pressed him up against the wall. "Welcome back," she whispered, then kissed him feverishly.

Kael returned the kiss, maintaining the emotional illusion that would keep her from seeing through to his motives, to keep her suspicions at bay. "Thank you," he whispered. "I've been trying to find you, Nieme. What's happened?"

She grinned at him, pushing back her cloak to reveal the leather corset and pants ensheathing her appealing form. "I've been naughty," she purred, and lapped at Kael's lips. "And I've missed you. Finally decided that whore wasn't good enough for you?"

Kael pulled her against him as his hand's explored her body. "I needed to see you again," he rasped. "Needed to know. I've missed you, Nieme. Oh gods, I've missed you. I like the new look, Nieme. It's very...appealing."

"Of course it is," she said with a chuckle. Her hand pushed into his pants and she voraciously nipped at his throat. "You look good too...but what's with the hair? You really serious about this Jedi thing?" Nieme smirked at him. "There's a lot more out there than that. And if you let me," she whispered, rocking her hand back and forth in his pants, "I can show you."

Kael moaned and reached his hands up to cup her face. "I look forward to it," he said as he pulled the Force around himself.

---

"Last Performance, Part 2"
By: Dani
Talara Sorenne [NPC+]
Neron and Qual Tregat [NPC+]
Merrick Braston
Laedra Vorrel
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Oot Kovan [NPC+]
Kimara

Location: Palace of Stars - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

"Move it, Musician," Neron griped, and shoved him for added goading. In fact, it was simply an opportunity to lay a hand on his firm, muscular back. He grinned at Merrick's rear, tightly sealed within his leather pants. It moved so attractively when he hurried. He chuckled and smoothed a hand over it. "I would have thought you'd want to see your blonde whore dance."

"Figured you'd be upset if I seemed too eager," Merrick said. "I'm hurrying, alright? It's just these straps...I'm not used to them." He glanced down at the series of straps crossing over his chest, acting as a shirt, and then looked back to Neron.

"You'll get used to them," he consoled Merrick. Neron tugged on the lead clasped to the metal loop appended to one of the straps across Merrick's back. He wrapped the leather leash around his hand numerous times until Merrick was pressed up against him. Neron brushed his lips against Merrick's throat. "Don't worry...it's only for a little while. Then we can go back to the cruiser."

Merrick nodded. "Thank you for allowing me to wear pants," he said softly. He had a feeling Neron had allowed it because he didn't like others looking, though he certainly had no qualms about selling Merrick's body to anyone who had the right price.

"You'll thank me again when the night's over, I'm sure," Neron chuckled into his ear. "It'll keep everyone from noticing your excitement the moment Maeren steps on stage."

Merrick chuckled lowly. "I can't help look forward to that," he said, and glanced once more at Neron. "What...what are you going to do to her?"

He shrugged. "Abduct her, ravage her... The usual." Neron grinned. "Why?"

"I just...I thought...you're...you're not going to hurt her, are you? Beat her?"

"If she becomes belligerent, we'll have no choice." Neron smiled viciously. "You wanna help?"

"I'll help however I can," Merrick said. "As long as it spares her from being hurt. I don't know if I could bear that. I...I can't ever stop loving her, you know."

Neron pouted. "Even more than me, Musician? Haven't I been kind and giving?"

"You've been more than I could ever hope for," Merrick said, turning to face Neron fully. "Despite my feelings for you, and they'll always be there." He gazed with longing into Zale's brother's eyes. "But I can't stop what I feel for her. I'll help you with her, and perhaps I can make it easier."

Neron nodded slowly, allowing his true affection for Merrick to show in his eyes briefly. "I'd welcome your help. After the show, maybe you can even help us retrieve her, hm?"

Merrick nodded. "Will I...will I get to...to be with her again?"

He dragged his hand over Merrick's chest, taking in all the curves of muscle, then sighed. "If I get to share you."

"Alright," Merrick answered after a moment's deliberation. "That will be...that will be alright."

"Just alright?" Neron asked with a frown, coaxing sympathy from Merrick. "She'll have fun. Don't worry." He patted Merrick on the rear affectionately, and let his hand linger a moment before pushing him away. "We have to get to our seats. Show starts soon."

"Better than alright," Merrick said with a smile, and then moved off ahead of Neron, as far as the leash would allow him to go.

As Neron, Qual, and Merrick found their seats, Keeve was finishing off his drink - his second. It calmed him considerably, though he only realized he was a nervous wreck after guzzling his second. If Kimara didn't pull this off... He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. She would pull it off, if only to win his approval and love. He hoped that was enough. The orchestra raised their instruments, and the lights in the grand hall dimmed, save for the single, bright spotlight centered on the draping red curtain over the stage. "Good luck, Kim," he whispered.

***

As the curtain parted and rose into the darkness above, the stage was bathed in light. In its center, Maeren Shivral glowed like a star brought down from the sky. Her movements were slow at first, yet graceful. As the music built, she increased the tempo of her dance. Her body was made to move as it was, and with the show she was performing, many men would go home with a new fantasy to dominate their dreams. Anyone who could have conceivably had any doubts that she might not actually be Maeren Shivral had them blasted into oblivion by her flawless dance. Soon, there was no doubt at all.

"She's good." Neron Tregat grinned at his brother. "Too much clothing for my liking, but we can change that."

"When we get ahold of her," Qual said with a lecherous smile, "she'll never have to worry about clothing again."

Neron chuckled, and nudged Merrick. "She'll be just like you, Musician. Isn't that sweet?"

Merrick forced a smile. "Yes," he said, though inside he could only fear for Shiv.

The audience applauded as Maeren performed a particularly intricate series of steps. Neron clapped slowly, with booming laughter. He was determined to possess the divine creature.

***

"Oh gods," Dani rasped, "isn't she beautiful? Look at her move."

Tala couldn't tear her eyes away from the dance before her. "And, she's coming with us?"

"Yes," Dani said, and then leaned over and nuzzled Talara's throat. "Yes she is. I've been with her before. Oh, sweeter than anything, Tala. You'll love her. Really love her."

"Yes," the calm, controlled voice said from behind. "I'm sure she would." Two slender, yet strong hands came down upon one shoulder each, and held the girls firmly in place. "But...not tonight."

Dani turned, eyes widening with surprise. "Laedra!" she rasped.

The woman's eyes were serene, viridescent orbs spearing Dani with their intensity and alluding to the power coursing within her. She swept an arm back smoothly, spreading open one side of her dark cloak to reveal the lightsaber clipped to her hip. "Care to join me outside?"

Dani glanced at Talara, then back to Laedra. "Of course," she whispered. "We'll go."

Laedra bowed her head, her long bangs brushing against her lashes, to thank Dani for an avoided confrontation. As quietly as she had entered, Laedra Vorrel turned and started out of the club again, unconcerned about what Dani might attempt while her back was turned.

"Come," Dani whispered to Talara, then kissed her young friend and lover quickly as they followed after Laedra, a pair of reisacats in the darkened auditorium. Before leaving completely, she glanced back at where Maeren still danced. With a shake of her head, she left and followed Laedra outside, surreptitiously checking her lightsaber on the way.

Laedra remained with her back to them once they had landed outside. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her head was bent slightly forward in a pensive pose. It came up slowly after a time, her body pivoting around to regard the girls as it did. Wisps of brown hair in varying shades blew across her face as she studied them, and her cloak drifted askew as it was picked up by the wind. Laedra Vorrel blinked not once. "You're disrupting the balance," she stated calmly. "You are corrupting a young girl, and forever tainting your souls with the darkness you seem to ravenously feed upon." Laedra paused as her eyes inscrutably stared at both girls. They then shifted entirely to Dani. "She's going to kill you." It was said matter-of-factly. "Talara will tell you so."

"She was," Dani said. "But not now. Not after. We talked, and she's okay now. She's not going to kill me."

Laedra inclined her head to study Dani more closely, then languidly turned her gaze to Talara. "Tell her," she said.

"Nieme told me to choose someone for you to kill and ask you to kill them. If you didn't...if you didn't, she wanted me to kill you."

Dani's face paled as she looked between them. Finally, she shook her head. "No," she rasped. "That was before, before we made up....before things became okay again."

"And you believe her?" Laedra asked skeptically. "Of what you know about Nieme, what do you think she loves more? You...or killing?"

Dani looked at Talara, then Laedra. "Me," she whispered, though there was no confidence in her answer. "What can I do?"

"You can come with me," Laedra told her. "Come to the Temple. They can help you. Both of you."

"I can't leave Nieme, no matter what she plans for me. To abandon her now...I can't. I love her, Laedra, and I can't just cast that away. It'd be betraying everything I am."

"Are you not betraying yourself now?" she asked simply. "By following her, giving in to her evil whims, have you not already turned your back on the person you were, Dani? She will only continue to vanish the longer you remain under Nieme's influence."

"If Koran Darr turned to darkness," Dani asked, tears brimming in her eyes, "would you just leave him?"

"He hasn't, and I already have," Laedra responded evenly, keeping her emotions tightly under control. "I left him because I love him, Dani. If you love Nieme, you must do the same. It is the only way to save her."

"But...without me...she'll...oh goddess, Laedra...she'll be worse. I don't...I don't want her dead...please don't let anyone kill her. I love her, and she can be good again...please..."

Laedra smiled gently, and moved nonthreateningly towards Dani. "We will try to save her, Dani. We will do what we can. I promise."

Dani lowered her head in defeat. "Alright. Oh goddess...alright..."

Laedra was finally close enough to fold Dani into an embrace. As the girl wept into her chest, she focused on Talara, or the woman she had become far too soon. "Please acquire some transport, Padawan Sorenne. We must depart now."

"The speederbikes are across the street," Talara said softly. She took a step closer and looked up at Laedra. "Should I stay with her? With Nieme? I can watch her, and report her movements. She trusts me, and I can be a spy."

"Not yet," Laedra answered. "You and I...there are some things we should discuss." She smiled significantly at the girl. "Some very important things, my Padawan."

Talara nodded solemnly. "I understand, Master," she said.

Transferring Dani to Talara's embrace, Laedra ordered them to get to the speederbikes and go to the Temple. "Nieme will likely realize you are gone soon. I will hold her off if required. Now hurry."

"May the Force be with you, Master," Talara whispered. "She will be very upset with both of us gone, and she will do everything within her power to take it out on you."

"Don't worry," Laedra assured her. "I didn't come alone." Confident that they would not change their minds and remain with Nieme, Laedra spun away and ran silently from them, hoping Kael was faring well without her.

Talara watched her go, then turned away with Dani and started toward the speederbikes. Part of her was filled with the joy of freedom, another part was filled with dread, the dread that comes from knowing you've just betrayed someone close, someone who had trusted you. She gulped back a sob and kept moving.

***

The audience roared, praising Maeren Shivral's triumphant return to the stage. Keeve was on his feet with them, clapping with pride in knowing the dance had been for him. As Kimara bowed and accepted the bouquet being handed to her, Keeve saw her flash him a smile. He couldn't help but smile back.

"There he is again," Neron told Qual, watching Keeve from their own seats. "I swear, the bastard is a clone of that Tarrel fool. Look at him!"

"Stranger things have happened," Qual said. "What do you say we grab him too? I'm certain Zale and Musician would love playing with him? Maybe he and Maeren could put on public performances. I wouldn't mind seeing the two of them and Musician performing for us. Would you, Brother?"

Neron chuckled, with teeth bared in anticipation of ravaging Keeve. "We'll meet them backstage." He jerked on Merrick's chain, then rose. "Don't make a scene, Musician. We're going quietly."

Merrick glared. "I said I would cooperate," he rasped. With that, he followed after Neron.

Muted by the exuberant applause, Keeve barely heard the beeping of his wristcomm. It was keyed to only accept messages from Oot's frequency, which meant her people had noticed something of extreme import. Casually, and unobtrusively he brought it up to his mouth and answered. "What's happening?"

"Trouble," Oot responded. "Things have been too silent for Saris and I, so I checked in with a few other sources. You have Dani and Nieme there, as well as the Tregats. We're on our way, and I've got reinforcements ready to assist."

Keeve chuckled wryly. "The insane Force chicks too? I had no idea Maeren was this popular. I'm going to go meet her backstage in case. And don't worry," he added, smiling at the device, "I brought a blaster. That should be enough."

"Do you want my reinforcements, Keeve?" Oot asked. "They're going to have more weapons than you if they're working together. Also, it appears that...that Merrick is with the Tregats."

He sighed, and wondered if the situation could get any worse. "I'll try and avoid a confrontation until your people get here. Tell Saris her sister's safe with me." Keeve smirked. "But don't tell her the truth."

"I will," Oot answered. "Good luck, Keeve. Kambra and I will be there as quickly as we can. If it gets bad, find a place where you can hold them off."

"Will do," he replied. "And might I say, it's been a pleasure, Ms. Kovan...in many ways."

"I'd like to revisit that thought again once we're out of this if you're willing," Oot said, and it was obvious she was smiling. Fortunately for her, Keeve couldn't see or hear Kambra's eye rolling.

Keeve chuckled. "We'll see about that. Oh, I have to go. She's getting off stage." Keeve cut the connection and left his table. His eyes scanned the large audience for the Tregat brothers, but there were too many faces in the sea of applauding patrons to pick them out...if they hadn't already set off after Kim. Keeve slid his hand under the flap of his jacket and laid it atop his blaster as he picked up the pace. He didn't relish another confrontation with the Tregat brothers.

***

"Who are you?" Kimara called as she backed away from the trio that seemed to have come from nowhere. Or was it a duo? The one seemed to be more of a slave than anything. The other two though...they seemed dangerous. "Go away! I'll call for help!"

"What?" Neron asked, pouting. "You don't remember us?" He pushed Merrick forward. "No kiss for your boyfriend? He's really missed you." Neron's smile broadened. "So have we."

"I don't know who you are, but you'd better stay away! I'll scream!"

Neron frowned, tugging Merrick back. "You don't remember us?" His blue eyes shifted warily towards his brother. "She doesn't remember us."

Qual smiled, though there was no humour in the expression. "Oh, I'm sure I'll enjoy reintroducing ourselves to her. I'm sure it'll all come back quick enough. Stay on your guard; something's not right. But this one's too tasty a treat to pass on, no matter what trap that brat has laid."

Neron gripped Merrick by the back of his hair. "Get her." Then threw him forward. Kimara screamed as Merrick stumbled into her.

The unexpected move caught both Merrick and Kimara unaware, and they both went down to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. She struggled to get out from under him, but lacked the strength to shift him from her. Merrick seemed to be uncertain how to proceed, but reluctantly held her to the ground. Kimara felt something wet splash against her cheek as she struggled to push him off.

"Well...aren't we proud of our obedient boy?" Neron drawled. His hands were already undoing his pants as he moved forward. "Remove her clothing, Musician."

There was the sound of ripping clothing accompanied by the sound of whispered apologies. One of Merrick's hands came up to cover Kimara's mouth, to silence her screams.

"Merrick!" Neron and Qual both turned towards the man, standing in the doorway with blaster aimed. But Keeve was staring past them, at the two figures on the floor. "What the hell are you doing to her!"

Merrick spun around and saw Keeve there. The look of relief that flooded into his eyes and across his face was like a tide washing in on a sandy shore. He looked up at Qual and Neron, and let out a bellowing shout. He rolled off of Maeren/Kimara and charged forward, knocking the Tregats into the wall. He caught an elbow in the face and went down. He looked at the girl, still on the floor, and shouted, "Go! Run!"

"Kim! Go!" Keeve rushed forward, blaster trained on the two Tregats. Neron growled and tensed as if prepared to lunged at Keeve, but he tightened his grip on the weapon to state clearly he would not hesitate to use it.

"Merrick..." Neron sang, though there was an edge to his voice. "Come over here, my boy, so dear Keeve here doesn't accidentally shoot us."

"Fuck you," Merrick growled. "Mae-- Kim?" The moment of confusion was enough for Neron to use the leash to snap him easily off his feet and back onto the floor.

"You're not getting out of here alive," Keeve told the brothers, "so why fight?"

"Because," Neron said with a chuckle, "do you actually think we'd come here without protection."

Keeve grinned ferally. "No...did you think I wouldn't?"

Kimara scrambled to her feet, holding what pieces of her dress she could against her body...at least it was something to cover up. She lunged forward, back down the hall, away from Keeve and the insane, dark-skinned men. Before she could get a step, the tattered dress, that had been so beautiful on the stage, tripped her up, sending her crashing down to the floor. Before she could reach the floor, however, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her, and one of the two men suddenly had her pressed before him, as a shield. She knew he was smiling without looking. Kim struggled, but he only tightened his hold.

"Be a shame if you shot her," Qual Tregat called out. "Damn shame, indeed."

"Indeed," Keeve agreed, still grinning. "Only if I weren't a perfect shot," Keeve added with a half shrug. "Enhancements." The blaster was trained on Qual now, though his peripheral vision was focused on Neron. He needed Merrick to get off his pansy ass, and now. "So...are you willing to risk it, Tregat? Or am I going to have to prove myself to you?"

Qual produced a blaster and pressed it to Kimara's throat. "Think you can kill me in one shot, Kid? Besides, all we're looking for is a little fun. She's a sweet little thing, and it's a shame not to share that." He tugged the back of the dress, pulling the tatters away and leaving Kimara bereft of clothing. "Look at that sweetness. Makes my mouth water just thinking about burying my face between those creamy white thighs."

Keeve's jaw clenched and his attention shifted fully to Kimara, trembling against Qual and watching Keeve with the largest, most pitiable brown eyes. She whimpered his name, and his resolve nearly broke, though it wouldn't matter after Neron pushed off the wall and came crashing into Keeve. The two tumbled to the ground and initiated a vicious struggle for Keeve's weapon. A stray shot was fired and Kimara screamed. Keeve had no idea where it had impacted, but what he did know was that he was in way over his head.

---

"Last Performance, Part 3"
By: Kael Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Nieme Yaresh
Neron and Qual Tregat [NPC+]
Merrick Braston
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Oot Kovan [NPC+]
Kambra Gant [NPC+]
Kimara [NPC+]

Location: Palace of Stars - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

Nieme's cries echoed throughout the alley. Kael felt bad, terrible, for deceiving her as he had, for using the Force on her as he had. Her clothing lay on the ground at their feet as she continued to rub herself against him. His clothing was in disarray, trousers opened where she'd slipped her hand inside, but otherwise undisturbed. She threw her head back again, and let out a piercing, orgasmic cry. Kael slipped his arms around her and eased out of her mind. "Oh gods," he murmured, deftly adjusting himself to give the appearance of having just had sex with her. "I've missed you so much, Nieme. I forgot how good we were..."

She sighed, nestling her face into the bit of chest exposed by his tunic. "Oh...you've stayed away too long," she whispered breathlessly. Nieme giggled as the night breeze chilled her bare flesh; she shivered and snuggled against Kael. "Come to my apartment," she told him. She turned her face up towards his, and kissed his chin. "We have so much more catching up to do."

"Of course," Kael said, and then brushed his lips over hers. "Come, let's get moving. Did you want to put your clothes back on, Nieme, or are you feeling daring tonight?"

"If I were feeling that daring," she purred, pushing her naked hips into his, "we'd already have done it twice." Gazing up at him from beneath dark lashes, with eyes eliciting burning desire, Nieme extended an arm. Her pants leapt into her hand. "I'll dress, then you can undress me again at the apartment."

Kael slid a pair of fingers over her breasts and smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful plan," he said. "I've got my speeder bike around front."

"Then I'll meet you there." She kissed him deeply and ravenously, then chuckled and backed away from him coyly. "Get it all fired up, my arozeil."

"I'll see you out front then," Kael said with a smile that promised so much more. "Right out front." With that, he turned and re-entered the Palace. He tapped his comlink as he walked through. "We'll be out front," he said softly.

"Dani and Tala have just departed. I will be waiting for you," Laedra whispered back.

"I'll be at my speeder directly in front of the Palace." And, so he pushed the rest of his way through the Palace.

As Nieme laced up the front of her corset, she sought Dani's mind to summon the girls for departure. Her message received no response. She frowned irritably. "Stupid bitches," she growled, tightening the top lace aggressively. "That's the last time I take you anywhere..." After throwing on her cloak, Nieme hurried out of the alley, seeking her lover. He stood a distance away upon the sidewalk, and her grin widened. "Bike all fired up?" she called to him. A moment later, she stopped short as something disturbing tickled at the back of her mind. She narrowed her eyes at Kael and launched probing tendrils of the Force outwards, seeking the fluctuation. Someone was hiding themselves well...but not good enough. "Kael..."

"I'm sorry, Nieme," Kael said. "I still care for you very much, and can't bear to watch you go down this path."

"None of us can."

Nieme whirled around at the voice from behind, and hissed at Laedra Vorrel. Her lightsaber was in her hand and ignited within moments, but Laedra made no move to retrieve her own. "Dani and Tala have come with us. You're alone, Nieme. If you don't wish to be, come with us."

"Screw you," she spat, then giggled wickedly. "Or better yet, screw Koran Darr, you slut."

Laedra's features remained neutral, and the insults rolled off her easily. "The darkness has you, Nieme. And it will consume you until there is nothing more to take. You will lose everyone, including Kael."

"What?" She snorted. "That traitor and his whore of a wife? I don't need him. I don't need any of you!"

"Putting you next to Raeila," Kael said calmly, "I do not believe she is the one who would be called whore, Nieme. You've gone dark, and I won't sit by and watch it happen if I can help it. Talara and Dani are with us now. You'd do well to come with us, to find the light again. It doesn't have to be this way, Nieme."

"It does," she said coldly, her eyes glowing with intense malevolence at Laedra, who was utterly calm. "They were trying to kill our spirit. You hypocrites! The Light is what is evil, not the darkness. The darkness...it's liberating!"

"You're wrong," Laedra stated flatly. "It is desolation, pain, sorrow...and in the end, it might mean your death, Nieme Yaresh, if we are forced to intervene in your flights of terror and rampaging."

"Kill me?" Nieme sniffed defiantly. "You couldn't if you tried." One side of her lips curled into an impish smile. In a flash, she launched herself at Laedra.

Kael's lightsaber snapped into his hand and he lunged forward, blade hissing into existence and crossing in front of Laedra to catch Nieme's blade. "Do you really want to test us, Nieme? Do you really want to see how serious we are about expunging the darkness from the galaxy?"

"We are not as you left us, Nieme," Laedra told her, still unmoving and calm. "You are no match for us. It isn't pride...it simply is."

Nieme growled and pushed against Kael's blade, using the momentum to spring away from them. "I could kill you both," she rasped, pointing the tip of her weapon at the two. "But I need Dani back...and you're going to help me."

"Really?" Kael said, lifting an eyebrow. "The farther you go into darkness, Nieme, the farther you go from Dani."

"She loves me," Nieme told him, smiling arrogantly. "That's more than I can say for you. You never cared about me. You only ever wanted sex!"

"If she loves you, why isn't she here now?" Kael asked. "If she loves you, why did she go so easily?"

"Because she's weak. I'm her strength...she needs me!" Nieme launched herself at Kael, clearing the three metres of distance with a single leap. Her black cloak fluttered behind her and her purple blade singed the air as it swept through it. As she landed, her lightsaber came crashing down into Kael's. The blades crackled fiercely.

"So you keep saying," he said, pushing her blade back, and spinning away from the crackling weapon. His weapon swung up and into a ready position, held high and ready for anything. "However, she had the strength to decide she could walk away from you tonight. Explain that. There was no coercion, just the assurance that love waited for her on our side of things, rather than betrayal and death at the hands of a child for not killing when it was demanded of her."

Nieme's eyes narrowed menacingly, and with a savage cry she lunged at Kael. His blade deflected hers again and again in a rapid series of strikes that left both blades hissing angrily. "She joined the darkness freely!" Nieme shouted. She whirled around, with blade swinging outwards. Instead of slicing through Kael's waist, his weapon blocked it and he quickly countered. "You're confusing her! Blinding her to the truth!"

"And, what is the truth, Nieme? What truth would you have her know? You are blind to what is happening to you, caught up in your lust for power. You can't see that it's destroying you, destroying Dani and Talara. And, deadening any feelings I may have for you. I turned from the darkness when I left the desert. To destroy life is to destroy the Force."

"Screw the Force," she growled, and vaulted over Kael in a twisting layout that allowed her to land directly facing his back. She thrust her weapon forward to spear him, but a solid wall of the Force drove into her and tossed Nieme back. With a grunt, she crashed to the ground, tumbling to a stop.

Laedra Vorrel was now standing beside Kael, watching Nieme from across the large distance she'd flown. "You may have allied yourself with dark forces, young woman," she told her levelly, "but you are still not powerful enough to defeat the Light. I hope this experience has been a humbling one."

Nieme smiled fiercely and pushed herself upright. "We'll talk about humbling," she threatened lowly, "when I cut you all down."

Laedra inclined her head. "We shall be waiting, Nieme Yaresh."

With a final, betrayed, dark gaze in Kael's direction, Nieme deactivated her weapon, then dashed for her bike. Thrusters screaming, Nieme backed out and recklessly shot down the road.

Kael watched her go, the part of his heart that had loved her, that still loved her, felt like it was cracking. He closed his eyes for a moment to focus himself, to find the center that existed in the Force. After a deep, cleansing breath, he turned to Laedra. "That didn't go as well as I'd hoped."

She smiled at him comfortingly. "We will try again...in time. For now, though, shall we get ourselves to the Temple?"

"I agree," Kael said. "I hope Talara and Dani made it safely."

Laedra placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I have a feeling they did." Once Nieme was out of sight, both Laedra and Kael frowned almost simultaneously. She looked up, as if scenting something on the wind. "You sense it, Kael?"

Kael's eyes shifted as if trying to spot the source of the disturbance. "Yes," he said. "Inside. Hurry." His lightsaber was in his hand again, and he raced toward the doors to the Palace with Laedra at his side. He pointed toward the back doors, the ones that led to the backstage area. "There!"

Laedra nodded, feeling the aggression and fear emanating from within. The night was proving a long one.

***

"Get off, you bastard!" Keeve grasped Neron's chin with one strong hand and forced Neron's head back painfully. He growled and pounded a fist into Keeve's ribs. Keeve tensed and swallowed a cry of pain before surging upright and throwing Neron onto his back. Kim was still screaming.

The sounds of Qual's laughter could be heard ringing through the corridor, as well as a low, agonizing groan. As Keeve managed to sit himself up, he could see Qual's back. As he shifted his angle, Kimara's bare legs could be seen beneath him. Next to them, Merrick lay in a crumpled heap on the floor. Again, Qual laughed and Kimara screamed.

"Kim!" Keeve scrambled to his feet, empty-handed with his blaster having been knocked away.

It was only a single step towards them before he was levelled to the ground from behind, with Neron's full weight on top of his back and his arm around Keeve's throat. "You little shit," Neron rasped into his ear, while Keeve jerked violently beneath him. "You think your little bitch is gonna have it rough with brother there, but just wait until you see what I do to you."

Keeve gave a strangled laugh. "We'll see about that," he managed.

Qual grunted in pain, and then laughed which prompted another scream from Kimara. "Bitch has teeth," he called to his brother. "Won't be sticking my dick there 'til we pacify her. That cute little ass looks ripe though, or did you want me to save that for you, brother? Or, were you just planning on using the Tarrel for that?"

Neron chuckled. "I thought I'd initiate the boy here." He nipped at Keeve's ear, then grinned. "He could use a little taming."

Keeve spat a curse and threw his head back to knock Neron's, but his grip around Keeve's neck hindered any movement. The attempt merely had Neron laughing louder. "Reminds me of Musician! Just as fiery!"

"Looks like Musician's hurt, we'll have to take care of that. Turn over, Slut!"

"No! Gods! Keeve! Leave me-- Ay!"

"Turn the fuck over and show me that ass--! Ah, nice! Oh, nice!" Qual's grunts continued, mixed with Kimara's whimpering cries. "Oh, I hope he's as good as this one, little brother. She's so sweet."

"Leave her!" Keeve managed hoarsely, and made a last futile attempt to throw Neron off of him.

"Yes," a stern voice from the doorway concurred, "I would leave her alone if I were you."

Being arrogant and stubborn, Qual kept at what he was doing...before he suddenly found himself lifted off of Maeren/Kimara, and then once he was free of her, tossed against a wall.

Kael, with arm outstretched, turned his attention to the other Tregat. "I suggest you leave him be. Now."

Neron was in the midst of a derisive laugh, when Keeve used the momentary distraction to toss Neron off and immediately throw himself atop. Another scuffle ensued, but Laedra put an end to it quickly by separating the two with a single gesture. Keeve landed safely on his rear while Neron was held securely to the ground by the Force. Laedra sighed. "Why must you commit such heinous crimes?" she asked, her tone indicating disappointment and disillusionment with the present state of the universe. "We will be taking you to the authorities. Your evil ends here."

Sobbing, Kimara got to her feet, moved to where Qual lay groaning against the wall, and planted a perfectly-placed kick into his groin. "Bastard," she rasped, then rushed to where Keeve sat, and wormed her way into his embrace.

"Sorry," he murmured, and opened the flaps of his coat to wrap her in them. "I'm sorry, Kim. I tried..."

She pressed herself against him, and then gently kissed him. "It's alright," she whispered. "I...I had to endure worse on Dargus' ship. At least we caught them though. I was able to help you do that, at least."

He smiled weakly and embraced her tightly. "My hero."

"Can I stay with you tonight?" she whispered against his chest. "I'll be good, I promise..." She looked up into his eyes. "If you want me to."

Keeve knew he was asking for trouble, but he couldn't resist the soulful, pleading gaze she was fixing him with. Sighing, he nodded. "You can stay."

"Thank you," Kimara answered and nuzzled against him.

As Kael finished binding the hands and feet of the Tregats, he glanced to where Laedra was doing what she could for Merrick. Satisfied she had things in hand for the moment, he looked to Keeve. "We have medical assistance on the way," he said. "As well as the Tae'Morad. They'll take care of these two, but they'll probably wish to ask you a few questions. We have a few we'd like to ask as well, when you're ready. My name is Kael Selrid, by the way."

"Keeve Shivral," he answered, watching the man skeptically. He looked no older than Keeve himself. "I'm afraid those two belong to Dame Oot Kovan, and considering you don't know that, I'm guessing you aren't the Jedi she said would be on hand."

"No, Laedra and I," he said as he indicated her helping Merrick, "we were after Nieme and Dani, a pair of former Jedi Knights who have gone bad. We sensed danger in here, and came as quickly as we could."

Keeve glanced down at Kimara, still clinging to him, and sighed. "Good thing, too...so, thanks."

Down the hallway, the sound of more booted feet could be heard. A moment later, Oot Kovan rounded the corner. She took in the scene with a glance and fixed her eyes on Keeve. At his look, she knew the situation was bad, but in hand. She went to him, kneeling by his side. One look at Kimara told the story. "Oh gods," she whispered.

"We're fine," he assured her, and adjusted his jacket to cover more of Kim's exposed skin. "She just needs to get back to the Palace, and she'll be perfect." He murmured soothingly into Kim's ear, and supported her as he got to his feet. "You should probably bring Merrick with us," Keeve told Oot, nodding in the direction of Merrick's prone, unconscious body.

"I'll have Kambra get him," Oot said. She turned to the gungan and said something softly to him. Kambra Gant then motioned to three of the droids behind him, and indicated Merrick's prone figure. He moved ahead of them, and bent to confer with Laedra.

Kim tried to disappear further into Keeve's coat and looked up into his eyes. "There's clothes in my dressing room," she whispered. "I can get those...if that's okay. Though, being naked and in your jacket is really nice too."

Keeve grinned crookedly. "I bet it is..." He kissed Kim's brow, then shuffled with her towards the door.

"He'll live," Laedra was telling the gungan, then sighed and rose to her full height. "If there is nothing more you require from us, I believe Kael and myself will be on our way. It's been a long night, but we still have much to do."

Kambra looked back to Oot, and then to Laedra. "If hesa stable, den I t'ink wesa can take him. Wesa grateful to you, Jedi." He motioned to the droids to get Merrick, and they appeared to be surprisingly gentle in doing so. He spread his long-fingered hands in a gesture of thanks, and then began backing away.

Laedra bowed her head respectfully, then summoned Kael to follow as she started away. "I hope, Kael Selrid," she said to her associate, "that this has been quite the learning experience."

Kael nodded and fell into step beside Laedra. "Indeed it has been," he said. "What happened here tonight concerns me. I do not know if there is a connection between Nieme and Dani, and what happened back here, but there was too much of a concentration of darkness here for my liking. I believe...I believe it wouldn't be a bad idea to watch this place more closely."

"A good idea," Laedra answered. "I can do that easily considering I am situated closer than you might be at the Temple. We cannot afford to let Tae'Karada succumb to evil once more."

"Definitely not," Kael said. "Will you be returning to the Temple tonight, Laedra?"

She refrained from expressing how reluctant she was to do so, and instead nodded. "I must speak to the masters regarding Talara and her training. We may return together, Kael Selrid."

Kael nodded. "My speederbike is out front," he said. "Where shall I meet you?"

"Nowhere," she replied with a smile. "Mind if I hitch a ride?"

Kael smiled. "Not at all," he said. "Come on."

"Twi'lek bitch," Neron spat as he was being hefted from the ground by his bound arms. "You think you can keep us detained? We've got leverage, you see." He chuckled gruffly. "We've got a hostage, and if we don't show up on our ship within the hour, he'll be dead."

"That would be too bad," Oot answered. "If you don't produce him within an hour, perhaps I should cut off your genitals. Kambra?" The gungan produced a very sharp looking knife and glanced down at Neron's crotch.

Neron hid his anxiety with a brash smile. "You like, Gungan?"

The blade flashed out and then back to Kambra's side. On the inner thigh of Neron's pants, a thick line of red could be seen. The gungan fixed his good eye on Neron and shrugged. "Mesa think you be better behaved without."

Neron's smile was gone and his attention was fully on the Gungan and where his blade was. He glanced aside at his brother, and was for once glad Qual was the oldest of them. Neron was satisfied to let him handle the situation on his own.

Qual looked at Neron and then back to Oot. "How bad you want 'em, little brother?"

"You bastard," Neron said between clenched teeth. "You're the one who wanted all this. Now you turn your back on me?"

"Don't come unhinged, Neron," Qual said with a laugh. "I was just making sure. Fine. We'll have him released and brought here."

"What about our money?" Neron whispered sharply. "We let him go now, we'll never get it!"

"Again, little brother, I ask the question, how bad you want 'em? I don't think we've got a lot of choice here, do you?"

Neron sighed, glancing down again at the scored skin of his thigh, and the blood trickling from the wound. "Fine," he muttered. "We'll free him."

With the Twi'lek standing there with her one-eyed freak and Tarrel's brat, Qual couldn't say everything he wanted, but he nodded to Neron. "You're more important to me than him, little brother," he said. He shot a glare at the others. "We'll find a way out of this; trust me."

"Not if I can help it," Keeve said, standing in the doorway now with Kimara held close.

Neron flashed his teeth at Keeve, then puckered his lips for Kimara as they passed. "See you soon," he intoned ominously, and was pushed out into the corridor.

Kimara glared at him. "I wish I could have kicked him too," she said, though it didn't sound quite as fierce as she'd hoped it would.

"Maybe you'll get the chance someday," Keeve told her, knowing Oot would accommodate her if she asked. As the hoverstretcher with Merrick passed, Keeve groaned. "I'll have to comm Maeren. She's not gonna like this."

"I'll have a secure transmission set up for you at the Palace," Oot said. "We have some of the best encryption on the planet there. I'm going to see him back to the Palace. Will the two of you be alright making it back?"

"With Kim watching my back," Keeve replied, "I think we'll be alright." He winked down at the girl, who was smiling dreamily up at him.

"Good," Oot said, then nodded. "We'll see you back at the Palace then." And with that, she followed the hoverstretcher out, leaving Keeve and Kimara alone.

"Might I say, Ms. Kimara," Keeve began, pulling Kim against him and taking one hand up into his, "that you danced beautifully tonight." He wrapped his free arm around her waist and smiled handsomely. "Care to show me?"

Again, she smiled dreamily and nodded. "Yes," she breathed. "I would love to show you, Mr. ...Kimara."

Keeve raised a single eyebrow at her, while his lips mirrored the action by lifting into a lopsided grin. Accompanied by music playing through the beauty of Kim's smile, and the light slapping of her bare feet against the floor, Keeve and Kimara danced. Their pace was languid and entrancing, especially staring into one another's eyes; they had much to celebrate that day, and they did so well into the night while lost in a kiss that seemed criminal to break, and only did so when the cleaning crew arrived to usher them out.

---

"Infiltration"
By Khalen Trife

Location: The Yallder District, Lath's Bar
Date: Lythe 9, 4ABY

***

The stale air of Lath's Bar passed easily over Khalen's lips, mixed with a light haze of smoke that formed an eerie mist stretching from wall to wall. His bright blue eyes were fixed on the Rodian ale sitting on the bar before him, his thoughts somewhere else. When he had first arrived, several women had approached him, some for business, others for pleasure. None had stayed with him for very long though. The bartender, a Twi'lek man with a nefarious grin stepped up to him from across the bar. "More ale, human?" he asked, his tongue running along the lower edge of his top row of teeth.

Khalen sighed lightly, knowing he shouldn't be drinking this heavily in an unfamiliar area, but pushed the glass out toward the Twi'lek anyways. After quickly filling it and placing it back in front of him, the bartender's lips curled back into a wicked smile. "Your tab is up to 75 credits, human."

The tradesman took a quick sip of his fresh ale and exhaled sharply. His head tilted upward from the bar until it was level, followed shortly after by his eyes darting up to the Twi'lek. "I have a name, you know."

"I don't care," he responded. To emphasize his lack of compassion, he followed up sharply with, "Human." The two stared off for a moment, Khalen doing his best to keep his temper in check. "All that matters to me is that you pay your tab."

Khalen tilted the glass back, pouring its entire contents down his throat in one impressive shot. Placing it back down more heavily than was necessary, he leaned forward a bit. "Well, I've been meaning to bring that up." The Twi'lek's brow furrowed as he reached underneath the bar for his blaster. "The way I see it, I have two options. One, I can pay you right now, walk out of the bar and be out 75 credits." He held his hand near his own blaster, which was sitting on his hip as he continued. "Or two, you and I can arrange a business deal which would benefit us mutually and allow me the chance to work off my debt."

"I'm listening," came the reply as the bartender regarded his customer curiously.

"Well, I work in trade. I transport goods, people, even information to whomever is paying for it. If you have anything that needs...quiet transport, I know of some lesser used hyperspace routes your pilots may be interested in learning."

A raspy laugh spewed forth from the Twi'lek suddenly. "You want me to wipe your tab clean for that? How can I trust that you're not just making this up to save yourself some credits?"

"If I must, I'll escort them through the first route personally." Khalen stood up then, adjusted his jacket and took in a deep breath. "Perhaps it will lead to further business opportunities."

Stroking one of his two tentacles, the bartender smiled. "Alright, human. You have a deal. You will escort my men on one of their runs to prove your routes are valid. You will ask nothing of our cargo, you will not leave your quarters, and you will do as you are told at all times. Are we clear?"

With a smile he extended his hand, "Crystal." That was easy, he thought to himself. Too easy. He must be really desperate to get that cargo out of here. Perhaps the amount I spent on this intel was actually worth it. An inward grin passed over him as he stepped behind the bar with the Twi'lek to discuss the details of the trip.

---

"Remaking Acquaintances, Part 1"
By: Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Selrid
Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

Ferrig Mullerin looked at his sister with wide eyes; eyes of hope, eyes of fear. She gazed back at him, a question in her own eyes. They shared a bond, but about this thing the bond was weak, incomplete. This part of the bond, in her eyes, was threatened, but Ferrig knew otherwise. He knew that nothing could ever threaten what he shared with his sister, with the love he felt for her. Nothing would ever come between them. His smile seemed to grow wider, and he finally nodded. "She's back," he whispered.

"A few minutes ago," Rae told him. She sighed as her eyes drifted towards the window, searching the darkened sky for guidance and inspiration. Where was Domega when she truly needed him? How could she tell Ferrig his first true love was not as he remembered her? Rae shook her head ruefully and regarded him once more. "You should wait. Don't see her yet, Ferrig. Please..."

"Why not?" Ferrig asked. "She's back. That's all that matters. Oh Raeila, she's back. I can...I've been so foolish lately, so... I have to go to her, Rae. I have to see her. I have to hold her and tell her I still love her."

"No!" The outburst was loud and harsh, and Raeila followed it up by rushing to Ferrig and gripping him firmly by the arms. "You can't," she whispered, pleading with him. "Not yet, Ferrig. She's...she's so different.... At least let her change. Please?"

"Change? What are you--?" Confusion gave way to a simmering anger. "What's going on, Raeila? What aren't you telling me? What did they do to her? What did they do to my Tala?"

"Nothing," she whispered soothingly, while caressing his cheek to further allay any panic. "She's not hurt, Ferrig. She's just...different. Can't you wait? Just a little while?"

A frantic look appeared in his eyes. "How different? Raeila, don't hide this from me. What did they do? What's different about Talara?"

Rae's eyes welled up with tears she'd vowed she wouldn't shed in front of her brother. "I'm sorry," she whispered thickly and embraced her brother. "She's dark they say... B-But they're gonna make her better. They will!"

"I have to see her," Ferrig rasped. "Oh gods, Raeila, I have to see her. Maybe I can help. Maybe seeing me will bring some light to her, make her...help her. Oh gods, please, Rae. I have to see her. I have to see, my Raeila..." He could feel his own tears burning hot trails down his cheeks, a sob building at the back of his throat. "Please, Rae."

She sucked in a quavering breath and nodded, unable to deny him his wish, no matter how difficult seeing her would be. "Okay," she whispered hoarsely. "I-I'm going with you, though. Let me be there for you, Ferrig."

Ferrig held her close, partly in desperation, partly in his love for her. "Thank you," he whispered and then kissed her. "Thank you, my beautiful Raeila. Where is she? She's probably alone and scared."

Raeila smiled weakly as she pulled back. "Come on. I'll take you to her, so you can see for yourself." She took his hands for added comfort, then led him out of the room he was occupying - or rather holed up in, completely isolated and dwelling on his sorrow for the past four months. It pained Raeila that she had been powerless to pull him out of his misery, and that Talara was his true saving grace. She almost wished the girl had remained with Nieme, in the end, for now she would be second in Ferrig's life all over again.

"Thank you," Ferrig whispered. "Oh gods, thank you, Rae. When you have time, when we have time, I'll thank you." He looked at her, his eyes burning with some of the passion that had almost been lost. He saw the look in her eyes and sighed. He stopped and faced her. "I'll try to make it better, Rae," he whispered. "I'm so sorry...for disappearing, for dying. I won't neglect you, won't drift away. However I can, I'll always be yours." He pressed himself against her, the heat of his body burning like the sands of their desert home. "I'll always love you, Raeila."

"But you love her more," she admitted sadly, then gave her brother a light kiss. "It's okay, though. I have Kael, you have Tala... It's as it should be, so don't worry."

"That's not true," Ferrig said as he shifted them around until he had her pressed against a wall, his eyes boring into hers. "I love you, Raeila. And, I love her in the way you love Kael. We have something special, Rae. Ours is a love without definition, without limits. Nothing and no one is ever going to usurp your place in my heart, not Talara, not anyone. You are my Asri'Ki, and nothing will change that." He kissed her fiercely, passionately, as his body responded in ways it hadn't in some time.

Raeila moaned gently into his mouth and possessively wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was feverish and desperate, and finally Raeila felt the fire that had once existed in her brother igniting again. She was overjoyed. "Not now," she whispered hastily as Ferrig's hand sought to hike her up dress. "Tala needs you.... You have to save it for her, Ferrig."

Ferrig stepped back from her, the hurt showing on his face. "So...so that's it... And, I thought that you were sad that I had chosen her, that I wouldn't be there for you. Not that it was the other way around. That you push me to her because you no longer have time for me, no longer... I understand." He sighed and turned away, starting toward where he hoped Talara would be...where Raeila was pushing him.

"She needs you!" Raeila shouted at him, rushing after her brother. "You don't understand yet, but you will, Ferrig! Please...I'm not rejecting you." She rested a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, but only felt a tightness there that urged her to pull away. "Ferrig?" she whimpered as the distance between them grew.

He turned and looked at her. "Do you want me in your life or not, Raeila? Are you going to set your jealousy of Talara aside and keep loving me as I've done with you and Kael? You get upset when I go to her, but then when I turn to you, you push me away and tell me to go to her. Please, make up your mind what you want of me before I go mad."

"I just want you to be happy," she told him. "And I know you can't have that without Talara. I'm not jealous, Ferrig, really I'm not. It's just..." Raeila sighed and looked away so the tears in her eyes could dissipate. "Ferrig," she whispered, "I'm just afraid. I can't lose my brother." She sobbed and covered her mouth with one trembling hand. "I can't," she finished barely.

"Raeila," Ferrig said softly, and then took her into his arms again. "You won't lose me, but pushing me away isn't going to help matters. I want you and Talara. I can't lose my sister. Rae, I love you, I'll always love you, and I'm never going to turn from you. No one else gets me going the way you do, not even Tala. It's special with us, just like it's always been."

"I thought things were changing," she whispered, clinging to her brother tightly. "I'm sorry, Ferrig. I'll be better, I promise. Tala needs you now...so I won't be afraid. Not anymore."

He kissed her, hard and passionate. In the kiss, he spelled out his love for her, let her feel what he felt for her. When the kiss parted, they were both panting for breath. "I love you," he rasped. "And, tonight, tell Kael to find a good book, because I'm going to prove it to you."

Rae grinned, and nodded to her brother. "Tonight," she echoed softly. "Oh, I've missed you, brother. So much!"

"You can show me later," Ferrig said with a grin. "For now, let's go visit your sister."

Rae's features wavered briefly, but her smile remained. "Yeah," she replied uncertainly. "Let's." And slipping her arm through his, she led him away, hoping his already fragile heart could handle what he was about to witness.

***

Koran looked up from the book he'd been reading. Seeing who stood in the doorway, he set it carefully aside. He was certain the New Plouton library would be upset if he destroyed their collection. He stood, using the Force to push away his bewilderment. He gave the woman before him a nod. "You look well," he said, then inwardly winced at the myriad other, better-sounding greetings he could have used. "I...I heard something about...about The Palace. Everything went well?" He did know more than he was implying, but not much. He knew that Dani and Talara were in the Temple, and being cared for. But, nothing else seemed to matter as he gazed into her eyes. I missed you, he wanted to say, but knew he couldn't...shouldn't.

"Nieme escaped," Laedra replied, her attention straying to the shelves of authentic tomes. They were easier to face than the man she loved. "You've done well with this place." She wandered into the grand hall, and smiled as she inhaled the recognizable scent of real paper and cured leather bindings. Her face glowed with joy. "When did you do all this?" she asked him. Running her hand across the row of books, she looked over her shoulder at Koran. "It really is wonderful."

"Thank you," Koran said with a smile. "Most of them belong to the Temple. A few we are borrowing. But it's a very nice collection. I haven't been sleeping much lately, haven't needed to really. Some extra meditation, and I'm fine. So, I channeled some of that time in here." He sighed and looked around. "Nieme could be easier without Dani now, or she could be worse. My instincts tell me she will be easier to face, though she'll be far more ruthless in her efforts."

"I agree. She will be suffering, pining for her lover." Laedra and Koran's eyes displayed intimate knowledge of what they spoke; although she was in more control of her emotions, she still sorely missed Koran. The silence was long and awkward, and Laedra finally broke it by turning away again and selecting a book from the shelf. "Tae'Karadan Folklore," she read off the title, and flipped through the crisp pages. "Do the children enjoy such things?"

"They do," Koran answered as he glanced over her shoulder. "Though, I do think some of them just like looking at some of the more risqué pictures."

Laedra laughed softly and closed the book. She again turned to face Koran, with the tome hugged to her chest and her back propped against the shelves. Still smiling, she allowed her casual front to fall away and said softly, "It's been a long time, Koran. Very long, and very difficult."

Koran nodded slowly. "It has," he said. "I've missed you, Laedra. I'm glad you're well, and that you're doing well. I meant it when I said you look well."

"I feel well," she admitted. "I've had so much time to think things through...and I realized I couldn't completely turn my back on the path of the Jedi." Lae sighed deeply, and smiled at him. "I shouldn't have stayed away so long. But I needed it to finally figure everything out." She paused to gaze down at the top of her boots, nodding pensively to herself. "I wish to train Talara," she stated with complete certainty, then regarded Koran. "I will train her."

Koran chuckled as he regarded her. "I take it there is little room for argument or denial with you," he said. He searched her eyes, and knew the answer to his next question already. "You're certain you're ready to take on a Padawan Learner?"

"You may test me if you wish," she replied calmly, whereas months ago her defenses would have risen. "Master Ki'Ayalin appointed me with the task of caring for Talara. I will not break my vow to him."

Koran nodded. "Very well," he said with a slight smile. "You will train her. I trust that means we'll need to prepare a place for you here at the Temple?"

Laedra pulled her bottom lip into her mouth, a clear indication of her hesitancy. But the decision could not be based on her own uneasiness around Koran, it had to be what was best for Talara. She sighed and approached him guardedly, though her eyes conveyed her inner conflict. "I need to know, first... Where do we stand, Koran?"

"We stand wherever you wish us to stand," Koran answered. "I am your friend and always will be. I can be more if you wish it, but will keep my distance if that is what you wish as well."

Laedra chuckled and studied Koran's features meticulously as she stood before him. "That is not what you really want," she told him. "Or does nothing we shared in the past mean anything to you?"

"Everything we've shared means something to me," Koran said. "But we both have an obligation to the Jedi Order. If you wish nothing to do with me, other than as a member of the Jedi Council, then that is how it shall be. If you do not wish to associate with me socially, then that is as it shall be. I will not force you into something you do not want, Laedra. I love you and will never stop loving you, but if you do not wish to explore that..."

"We already have explored that," she pointed out, her expression otherwise amused and opposite to Koran's obvious seriousness. "Koran..." Lae chided playfully and chuckled as she brought a hand to his cheek. "I never stopped loving you. Didn't you know that? Didn't you feel that?"

"You've kept me shut out the last four months, Laedra," he said. "I had glimpses, but... Where do you want us to stand, Laedra?"

"Do we have to decide now?" she asked. "Isn't it enough that I'm here now, and that I still love you?" Laedra shrugged as she idly pushed her fingers through his hair, remembering its texture instantly and smiling. "We are Jedi first," she told him. "Lovers second. We must remember that, Koran, as we did not initially. Only pain lies down that path."

"Then that is what we are," Koran said with a smile. "Does that mean you'll be staying here with Talara?"

Laedra smiled slowly as she brought her other hand to his cheek. "It does."

Koran covered her hand with his and smiled. "Good," he said. "Very good. Because there's this one passage in one of the texts that I just can't translate, and I was wondering if you could--"

"Why not just look at the pictures?" She laughed lightly and finally embraced him, which banished all humour and summoned a deep sigh. "I'm sorry I left," she whispered, her lips brushing against his cheek. "It was best, though."

"It'll allow us to come back stronger than we were before," Koran said. With his arms finally around her, he sighed softly. "So, how are Talara and Dani?"

"Broken," she answered forthrightly. "We will mend them, however." She pulled back slightly and grinned. "We mended ourselves after all, didn't we?"

Koran smiled and nodded. "Yes, we certainly did. I'm certain with you helping her, she'll do wonderfully."

Laedra sighed. "It will be a daunting task...but I know we can succeed. Which means I'd better get settled in." She slipped a hand into his and asked, "Care to help?"

"Of course," Koran said with a smile. "You want a room close to mine, or would you like a little more space to yourself?"

"Close," she replied, her tender gaze adding a distinctly alternate meaning to her answer. "I think I'd like that best."

"Me too," Koran said as a smile slightly curled his lips. "Me too."

---

"Remaking Acquaintances, Part 2"
By: Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Selrid
Kael Selrid
Talara Sorenne [NPC+]
Dani
Orn Gham [NPC+]

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Lythe 9, 4 ABY

***

"Now, don't be shocked," Raeila told Ferrig as he paced anxiously before the door to where Talara and Dani were getting settled. "It's still Talara, just a little more...decorated."

"Decorated? Oh gods, Raeila, what did they do...how could they...? Okay. Okay, I'll be...I'll be alright."

She smiled gently and kissed her brother's cheek. The door creaked as it opened a crack and Raeila quickly stepped away to peer through the narrow opening. "Dani?" she ventured. "It's just me and Ferrig... Can we come in?"

"Of course," Dani answered. The door opened far enough for them to enter. Ferrig gasped, seeing as how Dani had been decorated as well. It seemed to give her an even more exotic appearance, but he could only imagine what sort of decorations Talara may have. "She's over on the bed."

Raeila nodded for Ferrig to proceed. "It'll be fine," she whispered.

Ferrig started slowly, taking hesitant steps across the room. When he saw her, sitting with her back to him, his heart leapt. He rushed forward, only halting once he got to the edge of the bed. "Talara?"

Talara turned and looked up at Ferrig. She smiled and edged closer. "Ferrig."

"I...I missed you."

Talara smiled in a way that set Ferrig's heart beating much faster. "I missed you too," she said. "I know I don't look the same, but I learned a lot, and...and I'm still me. Raeila, come closer too. I missed you too."

"You did?" Raeila smiled uncertainly and moved forward with trepidation. "They...they said you two... They said you went Dark. Is it true, Tala?"

"After...after a fashion, I guess we did. We...we did things... I'm not..." She looked down at herself, and then at them. "I'm...I've...I've been with men and women. I'm...I'm not a virgin anymore..."

Raeila frowned and looked to her brother, seeing the pain and rage in his eyes. She laid a quelling hand on his shoulder and motioned subtlely towards Talara.

"It's alright," Ferrig said as he slid closer to Talara. "Whatever happened, I still love you. I'll always love you, and...and it will be okay now, now that we're together again."

Talara gave him a smile. "Yes," she whispered. She slid herself against him and raised her lips to his. It wasn't a tentative kiss, not like before. It was full and passionate and it stirred a part of Ferrig that only Raeila had ever been able to touch. He gave her a smile and returned the kiss.

"Everything will be fine now," Talara said when she finally pulled back from the kiss. She then reached out and slipped her hand into Rae's. "Everything."

Rae smiled and sat down on the bed, beside her sister of sorts. She giggled as she touched the jewel on her nose. "You think I'd look good with one?"

Talara nodded vigourously. "I think you'd look wonderful with one," she said. "I have three total. Dani has more, even one down there." She pointed between her legs.

"Dani..." Raeila snickered at her purple friend. "You'll have to show me sometime." Glancing aside at Talara and Ferrig, who both needed their time alone, she added, "Like now." She stood upright and marched over to Dani, taking her hand. "Let's leave the two to get reacquainted," she whispered.

Dani smiled at Talara and Ferrig, though felt a twinge of jealousy and regret. She had no idea what would happen now, not with her separation from Nieme. Before she left, Talara glanced toward her. The look they shared was reassuring, and Dani nodded to her friend. With a quick wave, she turned away with Raeila. She looked down at their joined hands and then up at Rae. "I've missed you," she said softly. "I've...I love Nieme, but I've missed everyone here. I feel so...so bad, Raeila. I feel like...like I've failed."

"You haven't," she whispered reassuringly. "You just...you lost your way for a while, but you're back now. And...you're still my best friend, Dani. That won't ever change."

Dani couldn't help smiling. "Thank you," she whispered. "I miss her, the good parts of her, but I'm glad to be back here." She gave Raeila's hand a squeeze. "Come on, I'll show you my piercing Tala was bragging about."

Raeila chuckled. "Oh, I don't know, Dani. That might not be a good idea. I can take a look at the others, though."

Dani giggled. "Alright," she said with a grin. "And, anyway, it does sound like a good idea to me. But, if you don't want to, it's alright. I think Tala is envious and wants one of her own."

"Really?" Rae sighed and shook her head ruefully. "Why would you two want to do such things to her? She'll never be the same, Dani. Never."

"In her heart, she's still the same. I made certain she didn't lose that, no matter how much Nieme tried. She's just...she's just a little more wild now. I protected her as much as I could, Raeila. She is more experienced now, but she is still Talara."

She frowned and pulled her hand away from Dani's, then turned to face her. "Why did you do it, Dani! Why did you have to take her away and do those things to her? Why couldn't you have protected her by stopping Nieme from taking her in the first place!"

Tears filled Dani's eyes and she turned away. "Have you ever had to turn on someone you've loved, Raeila? Have you ever had to close yourself off to someone who was as much a part of you as yourself? It...it isn't easy to just sever those ties. Before this...before, Nieme was my star, and...and now everything's ruined. If I lost her, after...everything would be... Oh goddess... I didn't want to..."

"But you did, finally," Raeila pointed out. "So you must have realized how bad she was, Dani. Why couldn't you have realized sooner? Couldn't you feel the evil in her?"

"When you're that close, sometimes it's hard to see things clearly without someone pointing them out to you." She gave Rae a smile. "I guess I know more like what life was like in the desert for you, before... Oh goddess, Raeila, I'm so sorry... If I could make everything different... I just, I didn't want to lose her. I love her, despite everything, I love her." She looked up into Rae's eyes. "But she's not the same person I fell in love with."

"And you were right to turn your back on her," Rae said gently, then embraced her friend. "I'm glad you're back, Dani. I was so worried...and lonely. We'll work it out, Dani. We'll make it better." Dani held herself close to Raeila. "It's already starting to feel better," she whispered. "Oh goddess, Raeila, thank you so much."

"Don't thank me, thank yourself and everyone around you once you're better." She smiled, kissed Dani's cheek and pulled back. "Now, you hungry?"

Dani nodded. "I am," she said. "We haven't exactly had the best cooking while we were gone."

"Well, Orn's still around, and he doesn't hate me as much... I'm sure he'd be glad to see and cook for you."

"I'd like that very much," Dani said softly. "I...I've missed him. He...he didn't deserve to be neglected like we did. We shouldn't have just left. I hope...I hope he'll forgive me."

"He will," Rae assured her. "Now, come along." She set Dani's hand down onto her forearm and patted it affectionately. "I know it's been a while and you might not know the way anymore," Rae explained with a playful smile, "so just let me lead you, hm?"

Dani stopped and pulled her hand back as she looked at Raeila. She shook her head and tears welled in her eyes. "What am I going to do here? Oh goddess, Raeila, how am I going to survive?"

"You'll survive as we all do," Raeila told her with a dismissive shrug. "You just...live everyday and see how it turns out." Smiling fondly, she added, "And I'll help."

Dani nodded slowly, but didn't know if Raeila truly understood the depth of her question. She sighed and knew that the coming days would be the most difficult she would have to endure. "Thank you," she whispered. "Your friendship means much to me."

"Good." Rae grinned and kissed her purple lips softly. "Now, let's go get some creamy ice. That'll make all your troubles seem unimportant."

Dani nodded and forced a smile. Though, she couldn't help feeling her friend's good cheer. A part of her resented the good feelings coming from Raeila, but another part loved her for them. "You feel good," she said as they walked. "You feel so happy and content. It's nice."

"So much better than all dark and gloomy." Raeila chuckled and pulled her friend into a half-embrace. She hoped Ferrig was faring as well with Talara, though she had no idea how deep their trauma ran. She doubted even creamy ices could truly heal the wounds.

***

They sat together on the bed, staring at each other in awe and wonder. Ferrig blinked slowly as he watched the...the girl he loved. Something about her had captured him so fully, so completely, that even in her changes, he could think and feel nothing but love for her. The clothing she wore tantalized with peeks of flesh and curves. Just the sight of her, sitting before him, stirred something within him. His desire, almost cold for so long after she'd been taken, was burning hot now. And, the way she looked at him seemed only to ignite everything all over again.

Since Dani and Raeila had left, they hadn't said a word. They'd only watched each other. As he watched, Ferrig realized he was afraid.

Somehow, Talara seemed to sense his fear. She edged closer until her leather-encased knees touched his. The way the leather curved over her legs, her hips, was so enticing. She pushed herself closer, her face looming before his. The tiny gem in her nostril glinted in the light of the room, teasing and taunting him. It gave her an exotic look, and despite all Raeila's warnings, Ferrig found himself liking the change very much. She was bolder now than she had been, but