Yin and Yang

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((Mild content Warning. Read at your own risk

Mainly for Vex, sorry Arheim....I know lil Ayer is around, but...well...he's most likely going to be in Aun's pack for this since she's going to be facing a personal demon from years ago. Feel free to pop in and out as you wish, but I'm afraid I'm not standing on post order for this thread.

Notes: Song - "Angels" by Within Temptation.

Bold italics colored -text- can be heard in the minds of any force sensitives if they choose to listen, as well as being heard verbally by those around her.))


It had taken over a day to reach her destination on foot. Aunna had only stopped long enough to eat something twice, slip into an unoccupied restroom once (returning with hair that only reached to her mid back as opposed to her hips), and sleep for a few hours in the evening. For these events she had taken the greatest care in choosing her perches, because, like anyone with any brains on Coruscant knew...the lower city was not a place to be caught in. She'd kept out of sight when she could, kept to the shadows when she couldn't, and only went into the murky light when there was no other alternative. A trusting person by nature, Aunna had learned swiftly during her youth to become paranoid at the drop of a hat, if only to keep herself from getting hurt. It was a blessing in this case, since, with the authorities after her head, she couldn't be too careful or suspicious of anyone.

With Ayer's help, before she had slept that evening, she'd managed to patch his communications relay for the most part with the wires he'd gotten from the ship. She had told the droid of Vex's offer of the comlink, but that she was reluctant to use it unless there was no other way. Luckily, there had been enough variety and use in the wires he'd collected that she'd only needed to use one thing from the comlink, a connector for the wires. Simple enough to replace, so she wasn't worried. Curling into herself, she'd rested her head on her knees in the little cubbyhole she'd chosen and fallen asleep. Unfortunately, like the past month, she'd been tormented by her dreams and, doubled by her paranoia, she'd slept fitfully, waking often. After three hours of this, Aunna decided she couldn't take the 'rest' any longer, grabbed the pack and Ayer, and headed off again.

Finally, as dusk came bringing the full night with it, Aunna reached the place she'd been trying so hard to get to. It was a cantina. No, she wasn't here for drinks, she was here for help...to call back up as it were. She knew the owner of this seedy place from Corellia. His father'd been a friend of the family, having owned the old town antiques shop her father had visited so often, and she'd grown up with the man who owned this place. He held no particular love for the Republic OR the sith, so she felt relatively comfortable seeking his assistance for one thing...contacting her ride off this planet! Slipping around the back, Aunna rapped on the door there. As a slot slid open, the man on the other side's eyes widened and the door was instantly opened, Aunna, her pack, and Ayer hidden within, being pulled swiftly inside.

The squat man before her gazed at her warily for a moment before laughing his head off. Aunna, miffed, folded her arms and waited for the laughter to die down.

"Well if it isn't bonny Borgonia! Right mess you've got yourself into missy! What are you doing here? Trying to bring me trouble?"

Huffing, Aunna hardly looked amused.

Hardly Cliff. I really need your help this time around...I need to use your com system.

Cliff narrowed his eyes slightly at her and folded his arms before him, his mustache twitching slightly as he thought.

"Why?...and how long do you intend on staying?"

I need to get hold of Kuuto and Veera. I'm only here long enough to get in contact and then I'm gone. Will you help me?

Cliff sighed. He always had been a sucker for damsels in distress, and in his eyes Aunna was in about as much distress as one could be. It wasn't difficult for him to make up his mind.

"Fine, but you owe me one Songbird."

Aunna shuddered at the name as he led her into the main part of the cantina along the wall.

Don't call me that Cliff...you know how I feel about it.

"Sorry, sorry...can't help it though...it suits you. Your voice was wasted on the army"

He complained as he opened a small side door and slipped into his office. As they passed through, the loud music, smoke, and chatter barely left Aunna room to think, however, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. The truth of the matter was, she had been. At a table near the outskirts of the room a shadowy zabrak pulled a comlink from his belt, the subtle glint of a cylindrical tube flashing there for barely a moment as he spoke. Returning the link to his belt, the weapon was concealed once more as Aunna slipped into the room behind Cliff.

The squat bar owner had only taken the time to show the former major to the com system before he had left the room once more, shutting the door behind him. In the room, Aunna had gone about contacting the mercenaries that her brother tended to work with, she too had worked with them from time to time, but she wasn't as close to them as Jade had been. She had little doubt, however, that they would help her. It hadn't taken long to reach them, and thankfully they seemed to know exactly were Jade was. There wasn't much convincing to be done when it came to her request either...Veera, thankfully, had taken a liking to her early on in their dealings, and it was Veera who pulled the strings. Aunna had been informed that she would be seeing the devaronians in two days time in the lower city area near the botanical gardens. It hadn't been the woman's first choice of meeting places, but she had little choice in the matter.

Outside, in the main area of the cantina, things weren't going so well for her. The zabrak had noticed his partner, a 6 foot man, lean and well muscled, with blond hair and piercing green eyes. The duo wasn't an uncommon sight in the cantina since they too knew Cliff, and so nothing unusual seemed to be transpiring. Cliff had simply nodded to the blond as he entered and headed over to the table his friend was seated at. Stretching idly, he too sat down ordering two drinks from the droid that had approached them. The two men spoke quietly for a few minutes, their heads bowed together to hear each other over the din of the music that was being played, but their motions could give no clues as to their intentions. Finished with her task for the evening, Aunna exited the room, turning to close the door, the pack with Ayer in it held in one hand. As it clicked closed, a cold chill ran up her spine...something wasn't right.

Hello Songbird.

Aunna stiffened, not just at the name, but the voice that said it, and the smile behind the sound of the words. Turning slowly, the shorter woman found herself face to face with the darkest part of her past.

I can't say I'm surprised to see you here....

That smile that he held had haunted her dreams...it had haunted her dreams five years ago, and it had haunted her again since Nar Shaddaa...and now...now it was here again to haunt her waking life. Instantly her hand fisted itself and she struck out, but his stronger form was already moving, knowing all to well how she might react. A large hand closed around her fist and he pushed her backward into the door, pinning her hand by her head for a moment.

I wouldn't do that if I were you songbird. You see, I brought some...friends...with me from the Republic who are interested in seeing you again. They're right outside you know, so if I were you my girl, you'll do as I say.

Aunna's blue eyes had narrowed at first, but her glance toward Cliff had found the man eying the opening to his cantina warily making those sapphire orbs widen again and gaze into the malicious eyes of the man before her. She had caught his drift swiftly: Do as I say and you'll live, don't and I'll call the Republic in here to take you to your death. It was a simple enough message.

You won't live through this you know...he'll kill you soon as look at you if you try to harm me.

Yes, Aunna knew she was outnumbered now, and outclassed for once. With a melee weapon she might have stood a chance, but with a blaster...she wasn't THAT good of a shot. Her only chance was to hope that the man before her wouldn't call her bluff. Vex wasn't here to help her this time around, but if she was lucky the mention of him could shift the tides in her favor. Green eyes narrowed and a hand settled beside her head, the other motioning to someone...the zabrak appeared behind her current tormentor, who looked at the orange and black man. With a sharp pain behind her eyes, she felt him rifling through her memories. Squinting through the pain, Aunna did her best to slam down any mental defenses she had on the man and cause him just as much pain, but he was already gone, the horned head shaking in the negative.

A force user...not only the republic, but a force user...her luck was horrible. The other large hand slid softly up her arm, over her shoulder and to the base of her neck. She shuddered at the touch, the familiarity of it sent a stab of pain to her heart as a vision of Vex flashed before her eyes, only to be replaced with this perfect looking monster. As his hand settled at the base of her neck she tried to move away, only to feel his fingertips dig into the sore ring of skin there and put pressure against her windpipe.

Don't try to leave so soon Songbird...and DON'T lie to me. Your little dark jedi protector isn't around to help you out of this sticky situation...is he? No. He's dropped you like a bad habit woman, and rightfully so...you're more trouble than you're worth.

Aunna winced at his words...if anything he had always known how to 'twist the knife', to find the right thing to say that could rip a person to shreds on the inside. The tightening of his fingers around her throat made Aunna chuckle darkly, however. Perhaps the cosmos were telling her something...was this the way she was meant to die one day? At the hands of some depraved man with a need to choke the life out of her? It seemed to happen often enough.

What do you want Andrew?

She asked as he let up on his hold of her once again. He hadn't moved his hand, keeping it there on that throat of hers, his thumb stroking the trail of her windpipe gently. If she had been anyone else in the cantina, Aunna might have thought Andrew and herself to be lovers.

Simple Aunna...I want you.

What?!

Blue eyes widened again at his words...oh how she hated those words. The emotion rippled off her in waves, her sapphire eyes darkening to a stormy blue gray. He leaned forward, close to her ear to speak to her in a wave of hushed tones and warm breath, a motion she had only allowed from Vex since she had last seen Andrew. It made her blood boil that he would DARE to get so close to her again...she wasn't his. Not any more.

You know very well what I mean Aunna...I want you, and when I'm done with you I'll sell you to the Hutts. They like women with talent...and I'm sure that pretty voice of yours would go to good use with them.

You won't get away with this Andrew...he'll find out, and when he does, you'll be dead. You AND your little force user pet.

She hissed back at him. Aunna couldn't be bothered with the subtle fear she felt, she was to busy feeling furious at the situation. It wasn't until his fingers closed once more around her throat as he snarled at her that she payed more attention to her fear of him.

Vex....I nee....ach!

Yes, she'd tried to reach out to him, hoping he was near by, but the zabrak, always hovering close by, had stabbed at her mind causing her to halt her actions as she winced at the sharp pain.

"Don't do that again."

Was the growled statement, his orange eyes boring into her as he settled himself against the wall near by. Cursing inwardly, Aunna tried to take a steadying breath, only to find Andrew's hand had closed around her throat further.

I thought I told you not to fight me woman.

He paused in his words, gazing at her hungrily. Shrinking back as much as she could, which wasn't far considering she was already pressed against the door, Aunna watched the hand that had been propping him up against the wall come down as he stood straight, looking down at her. He pressed in close to her so their forms touched as he trailed that other hand along her face. He had let up on her throat enough for her to breathe now, but that was little consolation. Turning her face away, his hand roughly brought it back to face him as his mouth came down bruising her lips with the force of it.

Mmm...just like I remember you...always feisty.

He stated as she struggled against him, finally letting her move slightly. It was obvious Andrew was enjoying his little torture session of the woman before him, but there was no one to stand in his way, so why should he stop?

You're insane...you've gone mad Andrew...I'm no use to you, leave me alone.

Oh you're of great use to me little birdy. In fact...how about you show me your usefulness? Sing us a song Lady Lumina the Songbird. I won't take 'no' for an answer.

He stated holding up a comlink, it was undoubtedly patched to contact the waiting Republic Soldiers. She eyed it wearily, her form slumping, defeated. Sighing, she resigned herself to her hell once again...at least until she could find a way to release herself. Closing her eyes, she thought, allowing her mind to stretch out into something that encompassed everything and nothing all at once. She had done this before, allowed whatever this warmth around her was to lead her, guide her words and the melody of the song. It was rarely ever the same song twice, and it always seemed to touch a chord in whoever might hear it. It had been five years since she'd allowed herself to do this...it had been five years since she'd shut herself down from it, and it had been five years since she'd found a reason to sing again.

Sparkling angel
I believed
You were my saviour
In my time of need
Blinded by faith
I couldn't hear
All the whispers
The warning's so clear

I see the angels
I'll lead them to your door
There is no escape now
Now mercy no more

No remorse 'cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart

You took my heart
Deceived me right from the start
You showed me dreams
I wished they'd turn to real
You broke the promise
And made me realise
It was all just a lie

Her voice started out soft, barely a whisper, she knew she was singing about Andrew. He had been her angel at first, bright, shining, wonderful in every way. That had changed...he had played her, wrapped her around his finger as much as he could, and when she started pushing back, resisting, he had seen to it that he'd gotten what he'd wanted from her and then left her for another, more easily manipulate, woman.

Sparkling angel
Couldn't see
Your dark intentions
Your feelings for me

Fallen angel
Tell me why?
What is the reason?
The thorn in your eye

I see the angels
I'll lead them to your door
There is no escape now
No mercy no more

No remorse 'cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart

As she continued singing, the melody turned...one moment it was light, her blindness to Andrew's actions, then it became darker, more brooding, and Vex flooded into her mind. He was her fallen angel...her feelings, her confusion on why he was so hurt, what his feelings for her really were....he confused her so.

Could have been forever
Now we have reached the end

She was so confused...where was this song taking her? The power had built, only to feel her voice fading as tears came to her eyes.

This world may have failed you
It doesn't give the reason why
You could have chosen
A different path of life

The smile when you tore me apart

You took my heart
Deceived me right from the start
You showed me dreams
I wished they'd turn in to real
You broke a promise
And made me realise
It was all just a lie

Could have been forever
Now we have reached the end

Aunna couldn't help but think that Vex had abandoned her....she hadn't felt him, heard from him, seen him....she had been so certain that he had cared for her! That light, the light she saw in him...the touches, the way he'd looked at her, the way he'd never left her to die, how he had helped her rest, the affection she felt from his thoughts...was it all just a lie? It couldn't be....it couldn't be a lie. She refused to believe it!

The song resounded through her as she sang. She didn't realize it, but the zabrak had...he could see and feel the force flowing through her as though she'd opened up some closed conduit in her heart...he nearly had to look away from the light his force vision could see around the woman as her words echoed in his mind.

She hadn't been singing loudly, barely loud enough for Andrew and the zabrak to catch the various tones and melody of the song, but several of the people closest to them had turned their heads to look at the previously un-noticed trio, the feelings emanating from the woman drawing their attention for reasons unknown to them. Aunna's voice died in her throat quietly, her body shaking slightly, urging her to move around. It had always been like that...she would sing, and then she would need to move to keep herself from shaking...or she would move while singing and be fine, though tired. Andrew, however, didn't seem to care about the former major's plight.

Bravo Songbird....I see you've not lost your talent...very moving indeed. Your voice was wasted on the army. What a pity. Well, I'm sure the Hutts will make good use of it.

He sneered, resting his free hand on her side lightly.

[Vex]

Vex crouched down, the position of his body held in that false vision of relaxation. He rested on the balls of his feet, his thighs resting on his calves and his forearms on his knees. This low beneath the surface, one would think there wasn't any wind, but that was hardly the case. A low, moaning howl of wind coursed through that underbelly, causing his robes to ripple and flow, that hood wavering about his face as he waited there, eyes closed.

He was perched on a small outcropping of duracrete, a piece remaining from a shattered wall that had once been a part of some building, long since dilapidated and now crumbling...part of the skeleton of that great city-planet, rotting from within. Plastisteel beams, thicker than a hover tank, rose up around, shadowing his place of rest and keeping him almost completely obscured. His talent for obfuscation and misdirection did the rest.

Below him, a team of Republic reconnaissance soldiers were searching through the rubble and alleys that the denizens of this level called home. The Jedi had been very busy these last few days, creating a trail that would be easy to follow and yet take them nowhere. He'd needed to take them off of her trail and onto his own. He knew well enough how to rid himself of the nuisances once he was certain that she was safe. The fact that he was perched there, unseen and yet so very close, was proof of that fact.

It wasn't difficult, creating the trail. He made himself visible enough...but not glaringly so. No doubt the military knew he preferred stealth. If the sightings were too obvious, they would know it was false. It wasn't difficult, however, to implant the impression of a sighting in an unsuspecting viewer...make them think they had seen him and Aunna in passing. All it took was allowing his own skills to remain unused now and again so that he might be viewed in passing. The gift he used simply guided the viewer to see everything but what Vex did not want them to see. The eyes saw it, but the information never passed to the brain. In this case, he reversed it. He allowed himself to be seen...and then added a glance of the Major in with him.

The viewers then believed they had happened upon a chance sighting of the pair. Given the reward that was being broadcast on the HNN, it wouldn't be long before the military suddenly had a trail of clues to follow. Leaving breadcrumbs wouldn't even have been much easier.

He rested now in light of that success.

Vex...I nee...

He flinched at the mental contact...feeling Aunna reaching out for a moment before drifting away. Dark brows furrowed on that pale face and those midnight eyes opened. Why did she try and contact him with her unreliable connection with the Force. He thought he'd felt worry...fear...through that tenuous link, but it was hard to be certain. Her talents with the Force were weak and unfocused.

His concern mounted and he drew himself up to a standing position. His connection to the Force opened deeply, burning in his limbs and coursing through his senses. Like a whisper on that wind, he moved, flitting through the shadows as he made his way back down to the main level and away, leaving the recon soldiers to muddle around blindly.

He couldn't feel her in the Force. He reached out, but there was nothing. The concern he felt ratcheted up a few notches at this. It was not normal.

What did that insufferable woman get herself into now?

Fortunately, he remembered the direction that she'd gone and her intent. She knew a few less-than-savory souls in these under depths and was going to call in a few favors. He'd drawn that from her emotions and thoughts as they'd parted ways. He moved swiftly, letting the Force guide him. What he felt nearly had him stumbling and disoriented.

He heard those words through the Force...the wavering, soulful beauty of the emotions and expression behind them as she sang. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before. The power of it had him staggering for a moment...he dropped to a knee. Black eyes widened with shock.

What is this, Aunna? How are you doing this? Why are you doing it? His musings were to himself and rhetorical, for he knew she wouldn't be able to give him the answer. The more she sang, the easier it was to sense her, until those words seemed to flow forth from a beacon before him. It was then that the vision hit him.

At first, he thought he was seeing the dream, the nightmare he'd clandestinely viewed during her moments of rest on the ship. He knew it was more than a mental fabrication...it was a memory, seared into her mind, scarring her psyche far deeper than any physical hurt ever could. That man...the one she'd remembered as Andrew, crouched over her, throttling her with that vicious grin. Something about it was wrong, however, and it took him a moment to understand why.

In the dream, the memory that he'd invaded, she was on her back, staring up at the ceiling with him above her, pinning her down, choking her and ready to end her life with that blade on that bed they shared. This was different, he felt her standing, and riding this memory like he was...and he could see others...see people in the background, out of focus but there nonetheless. The terror was the same...but that face that leered at her looked older and, if possible, more sadistic than before. Another face lingered nearby...full of horns and tattoos, a zabrak, staring at her, holding a different type of dark menace.

The clues fit together, giving him the full picture and he realized what was going on. Her past, as it were, had caught up to her. The tormentor from her nightmares had found her again, somehow, and was determined to relive the past.

Rage, the kind of building, volcanic pressure he had not felt since Nar Shaddaa, began to boil up within him. Not again...he would not allow it! He understood now...the strange loss of the connection when she'd reached for him. Now that he had a face, he could feel the Force wrapping around that humanoid. A Force-wielder, working with the man, the one she called Andrew. He'd cut her off, stifled the link in order to muffle her, keeping her from seeking help.

They'd made a mistake, however. The pair had not planned for her connection to the Force or that, whatever they were making her do would strengthen it, allow it to act as a focus. They had erred...

Vex would make them pay for it.

Now that he felt the insidious presence of the other, he could not miss it...it drew him forward like he was a Corellian weaver moth to a glowstick. He reached out with his other senses as he closed the distance. It seemed like mere moments before he found himself crouching atop a squat structure directly across from that cantina. He let his mental prowess probe the minds of those around.

He easily found the Republic soldiers that were waiting uneasily outside. They'd taken a hover APC and were currently waiting inside it. Their thoughts were all on him and Aunna, a mixture of fear and anticipation as they waited on confirmation that the fugitive or Jedi were there. There were ten in all, eight in the troop area with the squad leader and driver in the cab of the lightly armored vehicle.

Reaching into the Cantina, he found the patrons quiet...some didn't know what was going on, but others thoughts ran through images of Aunna and the man, she pinned to a door, forced to sing. The man leered over her, obviously gloating as he held some power...some fear... over her. Some did not care, others were curious, a few concerned. One in particular was furious, but helpless to assist...giving his fear of the Force wielder.

Vex stalked through the minds of those patrons, using their senses, their memories and thoughts to see what was happening within. He drew closer to the man, but refused enter that cesspool of a mind. Not yet, anyway. He did, however, see the possessive hand upon her side...heard the ominous words he taunted her with. So...you think you will sell her to the Hutts?

Like acid, his jealous ate through his control and his hatred erupted out, rippling in dark waves from him. The explosion was instantaneous and complete before seeming to flash freeze in carbonite as the emotions crystallized his resolve as it had in his battle against the Dark Jedi on Nar Shaddaa. Anyone who had sensitivity to the Force would be able to feel it for a good distance. For those in close proximity, however, it was already too late.

Vex was already in motion...

He dropped down to the ground, the Force speeding him to a blur as he descended upon the rear embarkation doors on the APC. Those blades flashed to life, sheering through the locking struts and sending it slamming down, opening it to the outside. The men were all seated, holding their weapons but not expecting the battle to come to them. They were all shocked into a moment of inaction. It would be the last of their lives.

Vex was in that vehicle with a snarl that reverberated in the Force. Blasters were useless at that close of proximity...but those lightsabers were not, hewing through man and machinery without regard, turning the passenger area into a carnal house of shredded bodies. The squad leader and driver barely had time to realize something was wrong, staring at each other in shock, just starting to move, by the time the Dark Jedi had reached the front of the passenger area.

As the last two began to try and evacuate the driver cab, that violet lightsaber pierced through the back, stabbing through the chest of the driver and pinning him like an insect on a laser pin. He choked out and died, unable to scream. The crimson blade punctured through the wall separating the cab in front of the squad leader, forcing him to stop, eyes wide. He had a chance to scream before Vex wrenched that blade along through the wall and split him in two from just below the shoulders.

Andrew's Force Wielder would pick up on the deaths, the fear, and the violence only a few heartbeats after he was rocked by the power of that Dark Jedi's fury. He would reach out, eyes wide as he opened his mouth to speak, but all that would come out is a scream of agony.

Vex ripped into his mind with even greater brutality than he'd shown the helpless soldiers in the armored personnel carrier. His will dug into the man's mental defenses like claws, shredding them away like so much tissue paper before his wrath. His mind stabbed and tore at the man's psyche, mauling it like a rabid kath hound would against flesh. The zabrak began to claw his own eyes out, his own nails creating furrows in his own flesh as he made a futile attempt to claw out the agonizing presence in his mind. His self-mutilation accomplished nothing and he collapsed to the ground, twitching in spastic motions as his muscles seized and shook violently from the psychic assault he was under.

The body shuddered and shook in wracking grand mal seizures, bones shattering from the force its own muscles were exerting and the zabrak began gagging as he choked on his own tongue. Finally, his body twisted itself too much in the throes of that Force-Induced Insanity and the wet sound of the alien's snapping spine could be heard. He finally went still.

The door to the cantina opened with surprising slowness...every sound seemingly magnified as everyone within was shocked into dumbfounded stillness. Like a wraith, Vex paced within, his boots barely making a scuff upon the floor. Those robes swirled about his feet with a cruel whispering sound. His whole body was tense, seemingly ready to spring. Those lightsabers were held, unlit, with the emitters facing behind him. His hood was up, shrouding that pale, masked face.

He'd tipped his head forward a bit, those baleful eyes closed. As the black depths slid open to stare unwaveringly at Andrew, he spoke, his voice surprisingly soft and low. Nevertheless, in that absolute silence, it effortlessly carried itself across the room.

"Release what is mine and your death will be swifter...everyone else that values their life has one chance to leave."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Aunna hadn't bothered to open her eyes after her song. She felt weak and tired....it had been too long since she'd done something like that, and it had taken it's toll on her energy. She didn't even bother to reply to his statement. Yes, everyone who heard her sing anything had told her much the same...her talent was wasted, she had far too much potential, she could have been a star, blah blah...it was all the same to her. She sang because she wanted to...it helped her feel better, it helped her cope, it helped her understand herself and her feelings more, sometimes it even helped her understand others.

She trembled in Andrew's hands, and he laughed about it. Aunna knew it wasn't her fear of him that made her body quake, but rather the fact that she just had used too much energy...he, however, seemed to think differently. He leaned in close to her kissing along her jaw, but Aunna didn't move a muscle, there was nothing to be done. That was when she felt it...those ripples of anger, of hate. It made her stiffen, her entire body tensing uncomfortably, as her eyes shot open. She'd felt that once before...it was Vex. He was here, and he knew she was as well, but she didn't bother to reach for him. Her mind hurt to much to risk being pummeled again by the zabrak's consciousness so she kept silent.

Andrew didn't seem to notice her motions, however, as he continued to kiss along the unobstructed sections of her neck. Only then did she bother to struggle. It didn't take long for him to tighten his grip on her throat to where she once again couldn't breathe, but it wouldn't matter soon. Giving up, she stilled herself once again, but he didn't let up this time.

I'll give you a nice purple mark to match that red one birdy....the two colors do look so good on you.

He sneered at her. Aunna conserved her air, not saying a word. That was when the zabrak moved. The man twitched first and Aunna's brow furrowed, confused, but as he began to react violently she understood. Closing her eyes, she opted not to watch...she wasn't sure she could handle it, the sound alone was enough to make her want to be sick. God Vex....this is horrible...how...just kill him...just kill him and stop his misery! she pleaded, but not to him...she wouldn't dare come close to him right now...not mentally lest he turn his rage on her by accident.

Finally the poor wretch stilled, and a deafening silence filled the cantina. She heard the doors open and close. At last she opened her eyes, her vision dim as she struggled to remain conscious, her body feeling heavy and her mind fuzzy. She could tell that Vex said something, but she couldn't make out what it was he said as nothing around her seemed to make any sense any more, all sounds dimming with her sight. There was a great rushing sound and she vaguely noticed the patrons were leaving swiftly, tables and chairs upturning in their wake. Now only Andrew, herself, Cliff, and Vex remained.

So, you're the dark jedi...the Vex the news keeps talking about. I guess you're the one who killed my buddy then? You say she's yours? Fine...take her. I'll leave and you don't have to worry about another thing...won't see me again.

Andrew stated, seeming far to calm about the situation. He pulled his hands away from Aunna and smirked as he watched her fall, gasping, to the floor, her eyes almost completely closed. Backing away, he put his hands out to the sides of him. Yes, it seemed he would be going quietly, but he didn't intend on leaving just yet...if he couldn't have the woman, no one would. In the flash of an eye, a tiny blaster was in his hand and he'd shot directly at the vulnerable woman. With a cry of dismay Cliff darted out from behind the counter, throwing himself over Aunna, the bolt hitting him squarely in the back.

By this time Andrew had turned and ran in the direction of the back door, thinking to make a swift escape.

[Vex]

The Jedi barely even registered the departure of the other patrons, his vision almost completely tunneled toward the man that held Aunna. It wasn't difficult to read the man's intent...and he was already moving, but not fast enough, it seemed.

Vex moved swiftly, but Cliff moved faster. One of the last stragglers trying to leave the bar stumbled on one of the upended tables, falling right into Vex's path, forcing him to stop short for a moment and then leap over. It was enough for the man to have time to aim down and fire.

Cliff's intent was clear as well and kept Vex from lashing out with his saber to try and meet that bolt, knowing that the man would stop it...would protect Aunna. That was all that mattered to Vex.

Vex leapt over the pile of Cliff and Aunna, not stopping. His entire focus now was Andrew...the arrogant man that believed himself smarter. That speed propelled him and he deactivated his right saber, hooking it around the man's shoulder as he caught up and spinning him around. The man suddenly found him in a very similar position to what he'd had Aunna in moments ago as he was slammed back into that wall; Vex's hand was around his throat. The Jedi had no Force-enhanced strength, but he was naturally large and powerful and that rage only enhanced it. Vex had let his saber go after spinning Andrew, his hand now closed around the man's throat, pinning him there with his boots barely dangling off the ground. That left saber flicked up, dying out for a moment that emitter was brought in line with the man's shoulder. The crimson blade was then reignited, searing through the same spot that Aunna had been scarred.

"You wanted to play at being a monster, Andrew...but you are just a petty thug. You cannot comprehend the depths of true monstrosity...but soon enough, it won't matter. You may beg for your life...but rest assured that I will only show you the same regard that you gave her."

He rode that physical pain of the saber still searing through the man's flesh, letting it weaken the man's mind and allow him in. Dark tendrils of intent wrapped about him, spearing in and locking down the mind, shutting Andrew off from physical control of his body. He left only the pain and his ability to see and hear.

Reaching into the man's mind, he pulled out his most cherished memories, seeing from the reverse side how Aunna looked, so helpless and vulnerable on that bed. He felt the sick, twisted pleasure that the man had gotten from it...felt his resolve to kill her then.

He used that, turning it against the man, locking him into that memory, but not as he knew it. He changed it...feeding his own memories, taken from her. He made Andrew the helpless one...the one frozen in fear and horror...left him staring into the face of a true monster. He left him staring into the face of the Jedi that had sworn to her protection and made him relive every nuance of that most horrible moment of her life...as the victim. He locked him within his mind to live it over and over, to never find peace.

Vex extinguished his blade and then released him, letting the man slump to the floor. Andrew's face was a mask of horror, mouth opened wide to scream, but no sound came out. He twitched sporadically and those eyes stared out, vivid but unseeing of the real world. He was unaware of anything but the horror in his mind.

Turning back toward her, he closed the distance, picking up his dropped weapon along the way. Crouching next to her, he would seek to push Cliff off of her.

"Aunna?"

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Cliff hadn't fallen directly on her, but his arm had landed over her, the man's death almost instant. Aunna, however, lay there on the floor, her eyes mostly lidded as she struggled to breathe and regain the air she'd lost. A hoarse cough would escape her every once in a while, eliciting a pained look. Other than breathing, nothing mattered right now. She had to breath, to stay conscious, but it was so difficult to stay awake. She shivered once then lay there trying to only focus on the slow painful breaths that would keep her awake.

Some part of Aunna's dulled senses noticed the weight that was removed from her side and the pair of boots that entered her limited field of vision. Dimmed hearing only barely registered her name, and her eyelids fluttered slightly as she tried to open them. She was just...so tired and it was difficult to breath, all she wanted to do was rest. She moved one heavy arm closer to her chest and tried to push herself up but it seemed that even this was too much. Frustrated, she forced a deep breath, only to cough because of the action sending waves of pain along her neck and head.

Her mind finally realized that it must have been Vex there, calling her, and she reached out toward him slowly, her eyes drifting closed. Finally, some small semblance of safety. She must have been such a nuisance to him. She always caused him problems...perhaps it would have been better to just give up and let Andrew kill her? At least then she wouldn't have been such a burden to him. She really was more trouble than she was worth. A single tear slid down her face at the thought.

[Vex]

"You will not die this day, Aunna...and certainly not before me." His hand slipped behind her head, cradling it as he held her. The other hand rested against her cheek briefly, his thumb brushing away that tear gingerly. His weapons had been hidden back in his robes and he drew her up into his arms as she reached out toward him. He held her like a porcelain doll, afraid she might shatter at any moment.

He let the Force reach into her, to undo some of the damage. It wasn't bad this time...not like when she had tried to intercede on his behalf. That was good, for her, because when he healed, it came at the cost of pain. This pain was but a minor irritant, however, compared to what she was already feeling as it tended to the bruised and damaged tissues in her throat to help her breathe easier. By the time she would notice the pain, it would be ebbing away.

He pushed himself to his feet, scooping up the pack that held Ayer and her supplies as he went. It forced him to balance her in one arm, but he managed to make the moment swift. The pack was shouldered and her firmly held in only two heartbeats. Keeping her head cradled close to his shoulder, he carried her from the cantina.

They couldn't stay...something like this would attract far too much unneeded attention...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

His words were becoming more clear to her as she tried to push away those darkened thoughts, of course she wasn't going to die today...what a silly man to think she would believe so! Aunna managed a ghost of a smile at the thought. No, she had thought that perhaps it would have been better if she had, but not that she actually WOULD die...she was far to stubborn for that. Either way, Aunna reminded herself that she had promised him not to feel sorry for herself. He had, of course, been talking about the trial, but to her this also counted, and she wouldn't go back on her word.

A rough hand wiped away that single tear before she was lifted slightly, gently, into his arms. Another small shiver ran the length of her as he held her there. She forced another breath and coughed, but noticed that the pain was lessened slightly as if it were easier. Feeling slightly relieved, she focused on her song from earlier, allowing her mind to settle in that warmth and light that she had nearly forgotten about in those five years.

Slowly, Aunna noticed that her throat was feeling more open now, and it was a bit easier to breathe. There was a dull throbbing in her throat that was different than the ache that was the bruising, but it didn't bother her...it was just another pain. There seemed to be so many these days she couldn't, and didn't, bother to keep track of them all. Leaning her head against Vex's shoulder she curled slighty before feeling herself being lifted. Honestly, she hated being picked up, it made her nervous, but she just didn't have the energy or the will to fight it at the moment. That fear wasn't helped, however, when she felt herself being balanced, so she wrapped one hand in his robes to make sure she wouldn't drop completely should he actually drop her. Yes, it was a useless act, but it at least made her feel a bit more secure.

As she started to become more lucid, Aunna focused on sorting her thoughts and memories of the situation, trying to figure out just what had happened since her mind had started to dim out. Fitting the pieces together, she slowly came to the realization of just how ugly things got around Vex...the things he did to others he 'didn't like'. She shivered slightly at the memory of the zabrak...she'd not seen most of it, but the sounds were nearly unmistakable. Sighing slightly, she half wanted to give Vex a stern talking to, half wanted to thank him....she decided the talking to would just have to wait for later, but thanking him shouldn't wait.

Slowly, she forced her mind to focus enough on Vex to feel fairly safe in reaching out to him. Softly and carefully she snaked a tendril of thought toward him, barely grazing across that mind of his.

Vex?....

[Vex]

He backed through that door to keep her from getting bumped and jostled around too much. That masked visage looked left and right, but there weren't any watchers at the moment. People were too afraid, having seen the exodus and the earlier cries that had come from the Republic transport. They would come, but for the moment, the entire area seemed to be fearfully holding it's breath, waiting for the dark thing stalking their midst to pass along and away.

He moved past the now derelict troop carrier as he took her away from the scene at the cantina. They passed behind the passenger hatch. Some of the interior lighting that hadn't been destroyed in his assault was flickering intermittently, painting a macabe picture every time it illuminated the scene within. The savagery was almost barbaric. If not for the instant cauterizations from the blade keeping blood-spatter to a minimum, one would have thought some vicious creature had gotten in to cause so much havok and destruction. It resembled nothing so much as a broken toy chest filled with parts of shattered dolls.

He felt the light touch of consciousness, the question from her mind. Shifting his hold on her, he reached up, supporting her back with his forearm, his hand holding the back of her head, stroking her nape lightly.

"Shh, Aunna. Save your strength. You've been through a lot today.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Between the pain in her mind from the zabrak, and the pain in her throat from Andrew, Aunna wasn't sure how to communicate. The single word had caused her head to throb dully, but she wasn't certain using her voice would be a much better idea. Huffing in frustration, she kept still for a moment as she debated what to do.

Feeling him turn backward to go through the door, she felt like scolding him for being so careless as to expose his back first, but immediately stopped her thought. Really...SHE was one to tell HIM to be careful...not to mention she doubted anyone was willing to come around and attack them after seeing a cantina full of criminals run for their lives like frightened rabbits. Aunna snickered softly, but gave a soft groan after from the pain it had caused.

Allowing herself to curl against him slightly she felt an odd sense of security as he carried her. His reply to her question was a swift shift of his hold on her and his hand stroking the nape of her neck lightly, followed by his quiet and soothing words. Aunna understood his sentiments, but she wouldn't keep this to herself, as soon as she'd had out with it THEN she would keep quiet as he asked her to. Deciding that the pain in her throat was the lesser of two evils, she sighed slightly, her warm breath washing against his shoulder and neck.

Thank you for coming Vex...

She murmured, her voice slightly raspy now. It hurt, yes, but not as much as it could have hurt, and she'd finally thanked him. Now, she could "save her strength" as he had put it.

[Vex]

He quirked a brow at her words as she spoke against his advice. She was thanking him for coming? Those brows furrowed slightly in confusion and slightly mirthful condescension. That mask shifted, making it apparent that he was smiling slightly. When he spoke, his words were gently berating, as though he was scolding a small child for something they should have known better of.

"I told you I would find you when it was time, Aunna. I am rather perplexed that you would start doubting my honesty and integrity now. Of course, I didn't expect you to find trouble quite so soon...it seems you need a constant chaperone. I do not quite know how you managed to survive so long... Who made a full-time occupation out of keeping you alive until I came along?"

So this was Vex...as capricious and mercurial as they would come. He was like the weather...capable of being so pleasant and nice when he felt like it, but he could turn disasterously deadly at the drop of a cred. This was evidenced by the sight of that transport as it passed by her view there, behind his shoulder.

Fingers pressed into the muscles at the back of her neck. One thing about learning how better to kill and disable an opponent: it also showed you how to take care of one as well. The pressure and motions he used would relax the muscles there, easing tension along her shoulders and spine.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Ha-ha Vex....very funny. It's not like I asked for any of this to happen to me, and it's not like I asked you to get involved...hmph. I should have told him I have horrible luck...maybe then he would have not gotten himself tangled up in all this...a...a chaperon?! Oh...when I'm able to talk again, he's gonna get it for that one.

Silly man, going and getting himself involved in my life. It's what he gets for sticking his nose in and trying to get something useful out of me. *sigh* Not like I'm an overly useful person to begin with...

Aunna had been keeping a silent dialog with herself as Vex 'scolded' her. For the most part it was light hearted and sarcastic, but the last thought held a far more realistic tone, obviously this was one way she thought of herself. As his fingers pressed into the tense muscles at the back of her head and neck, she relaxed further, some of the pain in her head easing, as well as the built up tension in her back and shoulders. Aunna's blue eyes flickered open as they passed the gory scene that was the transport, she immediately grimaced, wishing she hadn't opened them.

All those lives...gone. There could have been another way for him to do that...to stun them long enough to get me out and us away without killing them...I'll have to mention that to him as well. Oh!

Her thoughts had triggered something that she really did need him to hear. A way for them to get off the planet!

Vex...before I forget. Two days from now, near the botanical gardens, Kuuto and Veera are coming to get us off this rock. We need to be there. It's our best chance.

She informed him, her voice soft so as to not overly stress her vocal chords and the muscles in her throat.

[A®heim]

ENERGY LEVELS RESTORED: REBOOTING SYSTEM

[/color]

Aye blinked and stretched his servos. Ugh, all this lack of sunlight is really taking a toll on my power cells. How long have I been out? [ The pack was dark and many of the contents seemed jostled. Had something happened? Something else was odd, Ayer had become accustomed to Aunna's gait and the movements of the pack which accompnaied it, but this was different. It didn't feel like Aunna was carrying the pack, the gait was stiffer and more deliberate, Kinda like...Vex?

The droid popped its head out of the pack and looked around sleepily. There was Vex and Aunna, but their surroundings were strange and Aunna looked to be in the throes of some great pain. Something happen? What I miss?

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((erm...what pain Arh? Oh! the grimace! gotcha. ^_^ emotional pain. heh.))

Really, Aunna was quite tired. Despite her recently acquired distaste for sleep due to her dreams, the younger woman closed her eyes once more as she waited for him to acknowledge her information. Allowing her head to settle more securely against Vex's shoulder, she took a calming breath and sighed, her emotional distress and current exhaustion evident in the soft sound. She felt helpless right now, and she hated it. More than anything else in this situation, in her whole life, she hated feeling helpless...feeling like she had to rely on someone else...right now, it was Vex. The former major felt angry at the whole situation, and more than a little upset at herself for getting herself into it and dragging Vex...well, to be honest with herself, she hadn't dragged Vex into anything, he'd put himself in the middle of all this with her, if not a little grudgingly.

Why? Why had he done all of this? At first it had been obvious why...he'd told her himself that he'd had an interest in her position in the army and her connections so that he might further his own ends...now, however, she was unsure as to his motives. Surely she couldn't be of any further use to him, so why had he gone to all the trouble? Wouldn't it have just been easier to let the Republic kill her and be done with it? Aunna allowed herself to entertain the idea that perhaps he had seen her saving him on Nar Shaddaa as a type of life debt...if that had been the case, however, he could have left her as soon as he'd gotten her away from the prison. Why hadn't he? With her frustration and confusion mounting at that line of thinking, she noticed also, that a stab of sorrow went through her at the thought of him leaving her simply because she was of no further use to him.

Subconsciously, she lowered her head at that, her cheek sliding against the material of his robes and tunic slightly. It was then that Ayer spoke up. Aunna, though she would have liked to reply herself, thought that perhaps it was just better for Vex to do the explaining, so she kept her eyes closed. After a moment, Aunna snaked one arm up and around Vex's shoulder, careful to avoid the tubing for the rebreather, and tapped the small droid on the back to get his attention, her eyes opening to look at him. Once she had his attention, she pointed behind them at the Republic transport which had swiftly dwindled into the distance; the fact that it's landing ramp and doors were hanging askew made it obvious, even at this distance, that it had been mangled by the jedi carrying her. That should give the droid some idea of what had gone on, or at least started the questions.

Sighing again, Aunna shut her eyes, letting her arm remain hooked over his shoulder, her hand resting against his back lightly. After a moment she realized that this was most likely rather uncomfortable for him, her being so close. Immediately she tensed, withdrawing her arm from over his shoulder and returning it to between herself and his chest. She figured she could walk well enough, just as long as they didn't go at too fast a pace yet.

Vex...you can put me down...I can walk. I'm sure this is making you uncomfortable, not to mention I'm sure I'm heavy.

She said quietly.

[Vex]

"As usual, droid, the Major managed to get herself in trouble by finding the only part of her past that could haunt her. There were Republic soldiers involved. You may not want to look behind us and to the left."

The way that he said it, it was almost guaranteed that the droid would look. Of course, that may entirely be what the Dark Jedi had in mind. It really was hard to say with him. There was little doubt that he could be cruel and capricious when he wanted to be. The two left inside the cantina would be testament enough to that.

Given the droid's ability for visual magnification and image enhancement, it would be all too easy, even at this distance, for him to get a good look at what was inside...or at least what was left inside that transport.

He felt her shifting, hooking the arm around him. His form stiffened, but he didn't stop moving. Having her arm hooked around his shoulder actually made things a bit easier, so when she pulled back to that original position, he sighed through that mask. The hand at the back of her head shifted, managing to come around and get ahold of her arm and loops it back around his shoulders.

"You may or may not be right on all counts, Aunna, but we will still cover ground faster at the moment with me carrying you than with you under your own power. So rest and get your strength back."

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She twitched slightly at his motion, but didn't fight him. Letting her arm hook back over his shoulder, she helped hold herself there and closed her eyes again. Much to her surprise, she had to focus on calming her heart rate a bit at his words. It didn't take much to do so, and once she did, she found herself yawning lightly. It should be safe for her to sleep by now...now that she could assure herself that she wouldn't have to think to breathe. With that assurance, Aunna found herself slipping into a light sleep.

Surprisingly, Aunna found herself with few dreams, and none like the ones that had been plaguing her before. It might have been because she was just too exhausted, or it might have been because of Vex's presence...even after she would wake up later, she wouldn't know...but it was a pleasant release. The few dreams that she did have were fleeting and swiftly forgotten, and the song she had sung earlier seemed to permeate all, casting everything in a dim glow. Even as she slept a new song was forming in her tired mind and easing her tensions.

[A®heim]

Ayer gazed at Aunna as she motioned towards a republic transport. What was a transport doing here. He was about to dismiss the notion and question further when Vex spoke up. Even the "emotionless" droid could discern Vex's intent to have him look more closely despite his request NOT to look. This had been troubling Ayer for a few days now. He wasn't sure why he had never thought of it before, but he was not real. Perhaps back before his customization he wouldn't have cared, his purpose to exist was strictly for military efficiency, but the feeling continued to nag the droid.

He knew his emotions were limited, even as he zoomed in and gazed upon the mutilated corpses of his former comrades, he found himself hardly disheartened. They were just another piece of data to assess. It was depressing in a small way; knowing you weren't alive, but he only shook the idea from his head as he had so many other times and turned back to Vex. It didn't matter if he had the miracle of life breathed within him, he was created to function and he was going to function as best he could to help those he cared for.

I see.....I apologize for not reviving sooner, I may have been of assistance. It is indeed unfortunate that the lives of so many need be claimed over our actions, but if it is necessary, then I understand. It was then that Ayer noticed the strain Vex was under with Aunna upon his shoulder and that he was still steadfastly carrying the pack on top of which the droid was perched. Dear me Vex, allow me to hoist my own burden, you must make sure Aunna is not hurt. Don't worry, I can walk well enough. Ayer took up several small objects from within the pack in his beak and hopped down lightly from the pack. The hard metal ground clacked under his small talons as he strode along after them as fast as he could. Note to self: get flight systems repaired ASAP. [/i]

It was difficult to say the least. His retractable legs were designed mostly for perching or hopping short distances, not traveling long distances on talon. It would seem, however, that he must do just that, and Ayer found he didn't really care. He was helping the runaways which is all he wanted at the moment. So what if he was a lifeless automaton, at least he had a purpose. Hey Vex... Ayer waited til the Jedi turned to meet his gaze before he continued. My name is Ayer.

[Vex]

Vex would have argued with the little bird droid. If it was capable of flying, he would have had no qualms. As it was, however, the walking was not a primary method of locomotion for the robotic thing and it threatened to slow the Jedi down. Fortunately, however, they reached a spot that he found suitable for the evening.

"Robot, as you will learn if you spend more time with Aunna, she cannot help but get herself hurt. I do think it is part of her nature. All we can do is try to minimize the amount of damage done to non-lethal levels." It was quite possible that the Dark Jedi was actually joking with the robot. He spoke with such deadpan seriousness, however, that one would never know for sure.

They were stopped at a boarded and barred building. There was no way to get into the door, but there was a collapsed part of the wall roughly ten feet up...a hole that could be accessed. Black eyes glanced around, seeing enough foot holds that he'd be able to use. Calling that speed in to assist, he bolted towards the wall, bouncing from one to the next. If he were a normal Jedi, he could have simply leapt to the hole...but such was not his luck. He was careful, managing to jostle her very little as he came to a crouched balance at the edge of that hole.

Glancing down, he arched a brow at the droid before dropping down inside He landed in a crouch, letting his legs absorb the shock and keep her from being disturbed much. Lowering his head, his forehead touched hers gently and he caressed the sleep center of her brain to keep her under as he gently laid her down. He removed that outer robe, making it into a pillow once more and settling it under her head. Once he was certain that she was as comfortable as he could make her, he set down the pack and scrambled back up and out of the hole.

"You'll have to excuse me, Ayer..." Came Vex's words as he scooped the droid up in both hands before repeating his earlier act. Once they were both inside and next to Aunna, he'd set the droid down before settling himself up comfortable next to the sleeping woman.

Black eyes watched that droid. He couldn't read automatons, the Force didn't work that way, at least not for him, but it wasn't hard to see the...dismay... on Ayer's face. He found it amusing, to be honest. He'd never met a droid quite so self-aware. "Ayer...you may possibly be the most depressing mechanical creature I've ever met. What could possibly be weighing down your processors so much?"

Aunna needed her sleep...but he was not tired. He may as well get to know this little creation a bit better, at least to know how it might be of most use, if nothing else.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Surprising as it was, Vex managed to keep Aunna from waking, even as he traversed his makeshift stairway to the hole in the solid walls of the building...nearly ten feet off the ground. This was, for both humans, a blessing. Had she been awake, Aunna most likely would have ended up simply making things worse for both of them as they had ascended and then descended into the gloom of the dark building. As things stood she'd not had the best experiences when it came to being picked up or carried around, so she was wary of such situations at best...at worst she might panic or struggle against the hold. In this case, had she been lucid, Aunna most likely would have ended up clawing Vex's back rather badly as he moved.

Once inside, she would only barely stir against him at the landing before his forehead came to rest against hers softly as he used the force to stroke her mind gently, keeping her asleep. Settling her on the floor, Aunna let out a soft sound of protest, her brow furrowing slightly before she stilled once more, her face one of peaceful neutrality. Her arms wrapped about herself automatically as he settled that robe beneath her head once again. As he left, returning once more with Ayer, he would find her on her side, curled into herself slightly, part of her hair having slipped across her eyes shading them from view, and one hand clutching the charms on her necklace.

Aunna woke to find herself on a ship, a dark colored blanket covering her, her hair...as was usual after waking up...covering her face and eyes. Pushing herself up slightly, she flipped the mess around to the side of her, forcing it to lay straight once more. As she looked about, she recognized the ship as Kuuto and Veera's blockade runner, the various trappings of the Devaronian's style easy for her to pinpoint. Continuing her search of the current area, she noticed Vex close by in one of the chairs, Ayer on the table. She couldn't quite tell what was happening between them, but it almost looked as if they were actually....working together on fixing the droid?? Surprised to say the least, the woman lay there watching them for a moment, a smile playing across her face. It was odd, she thought, that neither had noticed her wake up, but she didn't particularly mind either...it gave her a chance to observe the two for a moment without interacting.

Almost without thinking she began to hum a soft tune in her current contentment and happiness. This finally garnered their attention and she couldn't help but laugh and shake her head at the fact that they seemed surprised to see her awake. Well...Ayer did anyway. Vex didn't seem so much surprised at the fact that she was awake, but rather...her voice? Tilting her head to the side, she not only wondered why he was surprised, but also how she knew...it was almost as if she could feel it. Shaking off the idea, Aunna giggled slightly at his perplexed expression and sat up fully.

With the depressing cityscape of Coruscant behind them, Aunna felt a bit more at ease, and so, a bit more 'normal'...if normal was a word one could use for her at all. As it was, however, she asked Vex why he seemed so surprised at her singing. Apparently the reasoning behind it, however vague, was that she seemed to use it as a focus. A focus for what, she wasn't entirely certain, so she had asked...though it seemed she was not going to get an answer from him just yet. Frustrated, she narrowed her eyes at him and felt like giving his mind a good sharp poke...but she wasn't stupid enough to do that. One just didn't go around 'poking' the minds of Jedi who could, and very well might, just rip your mind to shreds as easily as ripping a piece of paper. This, however, led her to an odd idea. Glancing off to the side, then looking back to him, she decided to test her luck.

"Vex....will you train me?"

She asked simply, sending the thoughts directly to his mind as well as echoing them aloud should he have his barriers up to shield himself.

Since her song in the cantina, Aunna had felt different...not just to herself, but also in the force around her. Much like Jade, she seemed, now, to have the ability to sense and use the force to a greater degree should she ever gain the training in it. The fact of the matter was, it was true. At the age of five, her brother had thought enough to switch their blood samples for the midiclorian counts and had been lucky enough to choose ones with a low enough count to be passed over by the Jedi Order. Five years ago, the young woman had closed herself off from her true potential, her scarred psyche shutting her down from it after the attempt on her life, and over time she had nearly forgotten what the ability entailed. This had changed, however, in the past hour or so...ever since Andrew had forced her to sing.

The emotions that had closed the link had opened it once more.

[A®heim]

((OOC: Sooooo, Aunna is one of the Herons from Fire Emblem? I guess Ayer would be Marvin from THGTTG and Vex would be.....Vex..... XD))

Ayer couldn't help but flcik his feathers slightly as Vex carried him up to the hole at a terrific rate. At least he had warned him first....and it wasn't by the neck. In fact, the care with which he picked up Ayer (besides the fact he did so at all) caught the small droid of guard. It was no secret, Vex and Ayer didn't exactly start off well together.

Ayer shook himself off after being set down inside the dank building. It nearly pitch black, good, it would be difficult for someone to find them here.

LIGHT AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS ONLINE

[/center]

The room lit up in brilliant green before Ayer's optical sensors. There was Aunna, still asleep upon the floor, with Vex bending over her touching her forehead lightly. Whatever darkness his night vision was piercing seemed as unerring to the Jedi as it was to the droid. His face reflected no emotion, his eyes unreadable. However there was a tenderness in his actions that not even Ayer could miss. He truly cared for her no matter how much of a facade he put up to hide that fact from outsiders.

It was when Vex spoke that caught Ayer off guard, or rather the tone in which he did speak. Normally, Vex never had much to say when Aunna wasn't around, certainly not to Ayer. And when he did it was often in a voice of scorn to insult or threaten the recon droid. Now as he turned to him, another emotion played across his face. Was that a smile? Ayer lowered his head at Vex's words. How could he have known? Was he capable of reading the synthetic of minds as well, or was Ayer revealing more than he intended about his processing.

Tell me Vex, do you ever feel as if your entire life is insignificant? That anything you do doesn't matter in the long run? If so, then imagine if you had no life in the first place...

[Vex]

Vex listened to Ayer quietly, for once not simply dismissing the droid out of spite or reflex. That pale face tilted slightly as he looked down to the droid that was settled there. He contemplated the words for a long moment before choosing what he had to say.

"Not until recently. For the longest time I felt that my life was very important...more important than anything else, in fact. Yet, that life felt hollow, as crippled as the body I inhabit. It is only recently that I have come to realize how inconsequential that part of my existence was. Now, for whatever reason, I have found purpose and meaning in it again."

He was opening up and voicing his inner thoughts and beliefs to a droid. He did not know why. If Aunna had asked him the same question, he would not have responded this way. He couldn't pinpoint the difference, but he felt it acutely.

"You feel you have no life, Ayer?" This time he did chuckle, the tone audible and drifting. "What, praytell, constitutes 'life'? A tree is invariably alive, its processes invariably crucial to the continued well being of any other creatures upon the planet, but is that a 'life'? Or consider a wretch, scum of the street that does nothing but scratch and claw to take all he can to better himself, whether or not it is detrimental to others..." He trailed off again, that tone somewhat self-deprecating. "He survives, but with what purpose? Of what consequence is he to the rest of the galaxy? By your definition, does that really constitute a 'life'?"

"It is true you were built. The Force does not touch you as it does other creatures that inhabit the galaxy, but does that preclude you from life? You are self-aware...you have thoughts, make decisions. Perhaps your thought matrix and capability for emotion are programmed, but why does that make it any less real? Is not a human or any other species built based on biological designs? Are they not programmed, hardwired and encoded with certain processes for continued function? Through experience, do they not learn, adapt, and grow, defining themselves? You were built and programmed by something, same as I. You can be damaged and if you take enough, destroyed. Is that irrevocable end any different than an organic death? If you do not have a life, do I have less of a life because my innards, my continued functional process, is done by machine?"

Leaning his head back against the wall, he reached out, lightly stroking his fingertips along Aunna's brow, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear while she remained in slumber. Though he no longer looked to Ayer, he spoke once more.

"So, Ayer, before you can decide whether you have a life or not...you must dictate what the criterion for having said 'life' is in the first place."