Star Wars: Swords of the Force

[HookerBoots]

"Oh, love. I would be glad to do that for you." Irina brushed a few stray hairs off her face, then pushed herself up slightly. "I love you, Ramza. You make me feel . . . like I can fly." She leaned in and kissed his cheek, then his mouth. It was a miracle that they'd found each other, and they they were so compatible in this way.

Experimentally, she pushed herself up a little more. It seemed like her limbs were sturdy enough now. Irina shifted, kissing his neck softly, until she had to pull away, turning around so that her back was to him. Irina leaned forward, arching her back as she put her hands on the bed, raising her ass up, presenting herself to him.

"I'm ready for you, Ramza . . . please, take me from behind like a slut," she said, turning her head to look at him with smoldering eyes.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza watched his love move, her nude body shifting and anatomy jiggling as she did so. How wonderful. If it didn't make her appreciate her naked all the more, he'd want her to never wear clothes.

Then she got into position and he moaned just from the sight of it. Legs spread, butt high in the air to expose and present her pussy and her ass to him. Looking from where he lay down between her legs, he could see the bottom of her breasts. She looked back, and her hot, bedroom words sent a fresh rush of blood to his cock.

He sat up, shifting his legs underneath him once he was upright. His hands ran down the curving perfection of her ass cheeks, then her thighs. He slid closer to her, looking at her slit before he turned his gaze to her hot, begging eyes. "I've never heard an invitation I wanted more," he purred. His hands gripped her hips and after a moment of making sure he was on target, he thrust his hips forward and sank into her pussy. "Fuck! Ohhh, that's my love. That's her hot, wet, sweet, slutty heaven," he sighed. Ramza pressed in fully, his sack rubbing against her perineum. "Wish I never had to leave it. My home, buried in my baby's sex." Then he started to move, both of them so aroused at this point that there was no slow, sensual build-up. He launched right into fucking her. Fast, hard and harder, grunting and sweetly cursing as he pounded her cunt.

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina gasped at the feel of Ramza pushing into her pussy, the feeling of wholeness she always felt when he was in her making her moan involuntarily. It felt so amazing, as good as it always did and better, since he went directly to pounding her. "Oh, love! That's right, Ramza! This sweet pussy is where you . . . oh, where you belong!"

Her fingers twisted in the sheets, her lower lip caught in her teeth, her hair shaking off her shoulders with every thrust. "I love . . . love how you . . . fuck me, love!" Irina's hips started to move, fucking him back and working them in small circles, stirring him around inside of her. "Please . . . Ramza, please, don't stop . . . love your cock, baby, love it in me!"

 

[Armphid]

He moaned loudly as Irina pushed back against him, moving her hips in a circle, "Oooh, fuck, yes! Stir my cock in you, baby," he hissed through his teeth, "So hot feeling you fuck yourself on my dick while I pound your cunt!"

There was nothing sexier than how much she loved to be fucked. Well, that wasn't it. She loved to be fucked by HIM. By the Force, what an amazing and affirming thing! He knew she'd hated her master's attentions, and those of other men had been good, but it was him that she wanted so badly. Him that she needed. Him that she loved to fuck so much she couldn't stand to be anything less that a vitally active participant in their sex.

He loved her so much.

"Never want to stop, Irina." Each word he spoke was accompanied by a matching, hard, rough thrust. "Want! To! Fuck! You! Every! Second! Every! Day!" He fell back to the fast, slurping pounding he'd been giving her before. "Damn it...all! I'm going to cum, baby. Where do you want it? Tell me where you want me to shoot my fucking load!"

 

[HookerBoots]

When he told her he was going to cum, Irina groaned loudly, feeling her pussy twitch. "Fuck, Ramza!" She wanted it in her, and on her, and just . . . everywhere. But since she could only choose one . . . "I want you to cum inside me! I want to feel it deep in my hot cunt!" She looked over her shoulder at him, eyes bright with lust and love. "Please, love! Please, pump your load into me!"

The thought of it, of having him explode in her again - and she loved, loved, loved that feeling - made the former Sith bite her lower lip and gasp as her body started to tremble around him, a massive orgasm starting. "GODS!"

 

[Armphid]

Ramza hammered away madly, her words driving him on ever further towards the precipice of his climax. He loved that, absolutely loved her talking dirty like that! And he knew it was all true. The amount of want, of need, she had for him cumming in her was staggering and awe inspiring. "Yes, love! Pump it all into you. Fill you up with my jizz! Fucking, uhh, fucking shoot every drop of it into your hot, slutty cunt!"

Her answer was cut off before it even started, turning instead into a raw cry as a fresh, sudden orgasm took her. Her hands clawed the sheets, her body shaking, pussy gushing and trembling about his plundering cock. It was too much. Feeling the muscles of her slick tunnel twitching and squeezing him. "Cum for me, baby! Cum while I fucking blow inside you!"

Ramza thrust in deep, "Ahhh!" He pumped his hips into her, pushing again and again as he came. He could feel his cock spurting and firing his thick, hot cream into her body, and it felt like white hot fiery heaven. "Take! All! My! Cum!" Each word was accompanied by a fresh blast of jizz. "All my fucking seed, in you, for you!" He groaned out the rest of his pleasure, a few more small wads splattering on her walls.

Then he slumped over on top of her, kissing her base of her neck before turning to rest his head on her shoulder blade. "Now...this kind of death at the hands of a Sith...I could...get behind," he gasped out. Then he chuckled, nuzzling her soft skin. Had he just told a joke about it? Huh. It seemed that when they screwed, he was further along in his recovery than the rest of the time. "My love, you are so amazing. The heights you take me to are indescribable."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina grinned at his words, twisting a little to face her love. "Ramza, my darling, you take me to the highest pleasure I've ever reached." She kissed him. "Now we should probably clean up again, and then sleep. I've got another," her lips curved into a small smle, "thrilling session with your master tomorrow." Sighing, she snuggled closer into his arms. "I don't really want to leave this position, though."

~ ~ ~ ~​

The next morning, Irina dressed carefully and kissed Ramza before leaving to meet Jakara for their next session. She wasn't sure if they were supposed to meet where they'd been yesterday, or somewhere else, but as she left the room, she almost ran directly into the other woman. "Good morning, Master Jedi."

"Apprentice." Jakara bowed slightly. "I'm pleased to see you are ready on time."

Irina smiled slightly. "Thank you, Master. If you would like to speak with Ramza before we begin our time together, he's awake, but was still in bed when I left."

 

[Armphid]

Jakara shook her head, "There's no private message or secret counsel for him, Apprentice Farlander." She could understand why the girl might think that. "Given your prior...education, we feel it best to be as transparent as possible. We do not want you to think anyone is plotting against you." Her face remained placid and peaceful, but there was a bit of worry in her eyes. "I wished to see how Ramza was doing before we began today's training."

"Thank you, Master." Ramza was standing in the doorway to the room. He was still paler than usual, but his color looked better today. "I am feeling much improved. I slept the best I have since you found us."

The redhead nodded, "That is good to hear." She smiled faintly, "Though you persist in formality we do not need. How many times must I tell you that you do not need to call me "Master" anymore?"

The old joke. It was almost an affectionate trope between them now. "At least once more, Master."

Jakara could have hugged him. Instead she sighed, "As you will, young Knight." She gestured to Irina, "This way, apprentice. Since you are ready, or think yourself ready, let us go and begin."

Ramza watched then go with a rueful expression. The way those two got along was just...ugh. The two most important women in his life, and they despised each other. Maybe it would get better with time. "Yeah. And maybe I'm a wookiee gundark wrestler."

 

[HookerBoots]

As they settled into the room they had used they day before, Irina took extra time fussing with her clothes, making sure that they were arranged just right. Finally, she looked up at Jakara with an expressionless face. "As I recall, Master, we ended yesterday with your telling me to investigate my feelings."

The older woman nodded, her hands neatly folded in her lap. "And have you done that?"

Irina looked down at her hands, for a moment, then looked back at the Jedi. Jakara was a little surprised to find a twinge of sympathy in her heart - the girl looked very lost, and almost haunted. But she kept her face impassive as Irina nodded. "I have," she said softly.

"And?" Jakara's voice was less cold than it had been, but she was still unwilling to give the girl much slack. She was an accomplished liar and actress.

Irina sighed. "I dislike you for several reasons," she said. "First and most obvious, I dislike you because you're another woman who has a claim on Ramza. As a corrollary to that, I'm not used to having to share anything." She rubbed her hands together. "Also, I . . . well, I left my home for what I thought was work, and was told that the job was no longer available. I spent most of a year living on the streets and begging. And then I began training as a Sith. Not really a background to lead to easy trust. You were also a mark - I had to learn how to hate them without even knowing them to do what I was trained - and if I didn't, I wouldn't be alive. Aside from that, you are a member of a group that I was conditioned to hate instinctively." She twined her fingers together and sighed again. "And . . . I thought my family was dead for years. It turns out they sold me to the Sith. My parents. Ramza looks at you like a mother. The only experience I have of a mother is . . . negative."

Jakara nodded silently, motioning for her to continue. She had guessed at a lot of it, but it was still sad to see concrete evidence of what harm greed could do to a child.

The former Sith brushed a hair off her forehead. "I also dislike your manner - it seems to me high-handed, overbearing, and unnecessarily officious." She spread her hands. "There. That's it."

 

[Armphid]

Jakara nodded again. It seemed as though Irina was finished. "Good, apprentice." She wasn't certain the girl was being totally honest; although that may be just her own misperception of the personal nature of their prickly relationship. "You've shown insight into yourself and an ability to set aside your emotions for rational analysis. I am pleased and impressed. Given what we know of Sith philosophy, the setting aside of emotions is something I thought would come harder to you."

The redhead lowered her head for a moment. "I must confess, apprentice, that this training exercise had an ulterior purpose." She looked back up at Irina. "One that you may have guessed already." The girl was sensitive to the emotions of others, so that she could better manipulate and destroy them. "I know that you will be part of Ramza's life for as long as you choose. As will I. If we continue to be...difficult with each other, it will strain both relationships and create anger and resentment." One fine eyebrow quirked. "I don't need to tell you about what anger can lead to."

"I don't know that we will ever be friends. But it would be best for all three of us if we were to at least mitigate our hostility towards each other." The Jedi smoothed the front of her robes. "I'm sure you guessed some of that, perhaps all of it. But I think that honest disclosure is important in this training, particularly given our mutual dislike and distrust."

She rose to her feet. "Now then. If you are ready, we will continue with the training. We are not yet done with the Code and meditating on it's meaning, but for now, let us turn elsewhere."

~~~~~​

Ramza sat in the dark, wearing nothing, sitting cross legged. His eyes were closed, his face set in a calm expression.

He saw the delicate hands peeling back the skin of his left arm; metal hooks pulling back bundles of muscle.

His left hand curled into a fist, phantom pain lingering as he forced himself to relive the torture.

"Development exceeds normal parameters," came Alecto's uncaring voice, "I will not commence severing the tissue and examining the physiological and neurological response."

Sweat beaded on Ramza's forehead. In the dark, he trembled.

~~~~~​

The stink of ozone filled the air. Jakara nodded as she looked down the targeting range. "A good shot."

Irina smirked; it was hard not to when using this power. It drew heavily on the Dark Side, on her anger and frustration. Which she had plenty of around the Jedi Master. "Thank you," she responded, a bit tartly perhaps. "I mastered it years ago."

"Ah, so proud of that, are you?" The Master calmly stepped out of the firing line and down onto the targeting range. She crossed through the panes until she stood before Irina downrange. "Should you be? This is a power of the Dark Side."

Irina crossed her arms over her chest. "Please don't give me that line about attacking with the Force being of the Dark Side. I've seen you and Ramza use it to attack." The lightning felt so...good, in that dark and nasty way. Was she going to get another lecture now?

Jakara shook her head. "We have. But there is a subtle difference that makes all." She sighed. "Perhaps you are too dull to see it...what Ramza sees in a-"

Irina didn't even think about it. The lightning flew, crackling and hungry. Jakara braced herself and held up a palm; the purplish energy hitting it and spritzing off to the sides as though it were a stream of water. Irina stared; aghast. "I didn't..."

"That is the difference. The anger and hate that you use in that power control YOU more than you it." Jakara smiled a little and then bowed her head. "I am sorry for provoking you, apprentice. But I wished to show my point. I hope you can forgive me."

Irina grimaced. Damn her! Not that she was wrong, maybe...but still! "So...the difference is...partnership rather than control, isn't it?"

Jakara beamed for a brief moment, before she collected herself. "Well put."

~~~~~​

"It's too early for this. I'm not ready."

The black robed legend nodded, "No, you're not. But we can't always choose to wait until we're ready." One hand flexed, a silent reminder of the price of jumping the gun. "At those times, we must make ourselves ready, or at least as ready as we can be."

Ramza looked unconvinced. He rolled the cylinder in his hands. It felt..heavy. Awkward. Unfamiliar. "Master, I-I don't want to do this."

That was a shock. He loved this before. Almost too much. "I know. That's why you have to do it." Luke Skywalker ignited his lightsaber, the green blade flaring to life with that unique snap-hiss of the arcane weapons. "Are you ready?"

"No." The borrowed lightsaber ignited, pale blue washing over Ramza's features. "But I will be."

~~~~~​

Irina and Ramza lay together on the bunk, curled up close. The former Sith reached back to caress his cheek. "How was it?"

The young noble started, then smiled. "I should have known someone would tell you. I...something about it made me...I didn't want to do it. I didn't even want to hold a weapon." So unlike him. He loved to spar, loved to fight. "But once it got going...it felt...I felt...alive. I felt like me."

"You sound like that makes you uncomfortable."

"Maybe it does." He sighed. "I always wondered if it was right that I liked those things so much, that it meant that I was...flawed, perhaps as a Jedi."

Irina rolled over to look at him. "Am I?"

Ramza shook his head slowly, "No, you're not."

"Even if I like killing people?" Her eyes in the dark seemed to glimmer. "I do, you know. Or I did, in the past. Murdering the right person was just...thrilling. So. If I'm all right given that, then I wouldn't worry about you."

She kissed his forehead and rolled back over. Ramza lay there for a few moments before he spoke up again, "I don't know that I feel any more comfortable about it after that."

"I don't know that you should, love."

~~~~~​

It had taken two weeks to reach the Academy from the edge of the Outer Rim. But now the magnificent glory of the gas-giant Yavin filled the large window that Ramza stood in front of. The comparatively small moon of Yavin-4 could be seen against it. A tiny dark circle against the massive planet. But to Ramza...it far eclipsed the Jovian sphere. He could feel the life teeming on it. The Force flickers of all the others down there.

"Home," he sighed. "Finally."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina puffed her breath out and up, trying to get a loose piece of hair off her face without taking her hands off the hilt of the green light saber they'd given her to replace the one she'd taken from Darth Traya. She wasn't happy about it, and she still wanted her original one back, but at least they trusted her enough to give her a weapon. Though if she decided to go rogue, it wasn't like she couldn't take one on her own. Okay, stop thinking about that. Start thinking about what you're doing.

Jakara grinned at her, twirling her own saber and lunging forward. "No distractions, apprentice!"

The former Sith blocked the attack with a move sloppy enough to have earned a reprimand from her former Master. But she did block it. Twisting around, she grinned back. Their styles were different, but both of the women were good. "Sorry, Master. I'll do better next time."

~ ~ ~ ~​

"So, Lizzie, what have they had you doing?" Irina grabbed a handful of vegetable crisps, crunching into them as she lounged on her sister's bed. "Besides the tests, of course."

Lizeth giggled and snatched a crisp from her sister's hand. "They've, um, determined that I'm sensitive. They can't tell how strongly from the tests they can do here, or so I've been told."

Irina raised an eyebrow, smiling a little. "Well, isn't that something." Then her face turned pensive and she sighed. "I'm glad, Lizzie. That we got there before . . . something happened on the other ship." She handed another crisp to the younger girl, and ate the last one in her hand. "These people . . . they'll be good for both of us, I think."

~ ~ ~ ~​

Irina opened the book, and almost choked. "Diplomacy and Mediation?"

Jakara nodded, a half-smile on her face. "You have to learn it, and your performance on Filgaia shows a knowledge of diplomacy that is . . . incomplete at best. And we won't bring up your ability to mediate."

The former Sith huffed, then sighed. "All right. Not that I have a choice, right?"

"Not really," the older woman said, sitting down in a chair. "Now, as you can tell from the opening pages, the basis of diplomacy and mediation are easy to learn when you have a grasp of the Jedi Code." She tapped her fingers together. "That means you'll have to work harder than others."

~ ~ ~ ~​

One arm wrapped tightly around Ramza's waist as Irina looked out the window with him. She could feel the hopefulness and relief that seemed to bake off of him. Her own emotions were . . . mixed. Hope and apprehension and something that she couldn't describe in one word - the anticipation of the fear of rejection.

"Yes," she said softly. "Home."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza slid an arm around Irina's shoulders and pulled her close. "It is for now. But once I'm better...it won't be. You will be." He kissed her forehead.

"Even when you two have a room, you need one." Lizeth came up on Irina's side, shaking her head. "Honestly. It's indecent the way you guys go on." She was smiling as she said it, her tone teasing. The little Kushiban was in her arms, her curious eyes looking out as well. Her fur was much lighter than it had been, but it was still streaked through with black and dark grays. "So. That's it, huh?" She was nervous as well. The Jedi said that there'd be more tests now, and she'd actually become an apprentice if she wanted to. Her! A Jedi? It was...what if she was bad at it? Her eyes slid to Irina. What if...other things ran in her family too?

~~~~~~~~~​

The shuttle touched down, steam venting from thrusters and the rapidly cooling metal sending heat waves into the air surrounding the vehicle. After a few minutes, the ramp in front detached and slowly swung down.

Ramza stood inside, looking out the ramp. The others who'd come down in this shuttle were speaking softly, grabbing bags and double checking things. Irina was doing the same as them, partly to cover and subsume her nervousness. Nervousness that he felt now as well. He'd changed since he'd left here. His time with the Sith...his..breaking afterward...would his friends here be able to even look at him? And Irina. How would they treat her?

He took a deep breath, picking up the small bag he'd brought and heading down the ramp. The heavy air of the jungle moon enveloped him, almost as if embracing him as long parted friend. The smell of trees and vines and flowering plants was unmistakable. The raw living Force of the moon rushed into and over and through him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the place. What a feeling...he'd forgotten...

There was a rush of feet, that was his only warning. Then something soft and warm and squirming struck him in the chest, it's clutching arms wrapping about his waist. "Ramza!"

He staggered back a few steps, his eyes opening. He looked down and his face softened, his eyes both happy and sad. "Alma." The girl who was hugging him for all she was worth was clearly his sister. Their features were strikingly similar, and they both had the same spiky looking black hair, hers long and gathered into a braid that reached the small of her back. She was light of build as well, a willowy and slender young woman, her figure pleasing if not ample. She was wearing simple clothes, having left her training robes behind.

She looked up at him with large, watery green eyes. "Brother...you've come back."

He nodded. "I'm back, little sister."

She sighed, nestling against him for a moment. "Good. If you hadn't..." He was about to re-assure her when she stepped back just enough to slug him across the jaw. "I couldn't do that! You IDIOT!" Ramza cracked his neck, lifting a hand to rub his cheek. Damn. Someone had taught her how to throw a punch since he'd been gone. "You had us worried to death! I could feel you dying in the Force, for days! Do you...have any idea what that's like?" He started to speak again, and again she cut him off, "Don't you even! Did you get in that mess because you didn't listen to Master Shahazdra?"

"...Yes."

"Incredible." She sighed. "Well, you better not do something so dumb again! Or I'll make you regret it." Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she was fighting desperately not to start crying.

Ramza smiled. "Well, I better not then. Bounty hunters and Sith are one thing, I really don't want you coming after me."

She sniffed, turning away as the first few drops started to slide down her cheeks. "And d-don't you forget it. Humph!"

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina grinned as she walked up behind Ramza, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Your sister seems nice," she teased, sliding her arm around him. The damp heat of the moon already had sweat beading on her forehead, but she pressed herself against his side. "This place smells . . . green," she added, taking a deep breath.

It also felt alive - more alive than any place she could ever remember. After a moment, she realized what it was. There were so many Force users here that the very air almost seemed alive with their awarenesses. How strange. Irina smiled at the girl who was turning back to face them slowly. "Hi," she said a little diffidently, "I'm Irina Farlander." She shifted the bags a little and held out her other hand. "It's a pleasure to meet Ramza's sister."

Curious green eyes studied her for a moment. "Alma Orlandau," the girl said softly, taking Irina's hand and shaking it. "It's a pleasure to meet Ramza's . . . lady friend." Then she made a face. "That sounds so old fashioned. You seem nice - I hope we have more time to talk later, but I've cut class to meet you all."

Jakara walked up behind the older two Jedi. "Then you should be getting back, Alma."

 

[Armphid]

"Eep!" The girl's hands flew to her mouth in shock, covering it, her eyes huge. "Ramza, you didn't say she was...I mean, yes, Master. Right away!" She backed up, waving as she turned, "Find me later, okay?"

"Count on it," Ramza called after her. He glanced over his shoulder at the older woman. "Looks like you've still got it, Master."

Jakara's expression was one of tolerant bemusement. "Was there ever any doubt, young knight?" She shook her head, "Though she is on her way to becoming almost as impertinent as you."

"We are fairly proud of her, Master," he replied with a hint of a grin.

She rolled her eyes, but smiled. This was a good sign. Just being here and seeing his sister had helped him. Perhaps not a lot yet, but it had made a difference. "She does not need to imitate that aspect of you. Now, off, rascal. We have preparations to make for your accommodations." Her smile became a bit more patient, "I trust you can entertain yourself showing Apprentice Farlander around."

"Of course, Master."

"I shouldn't have to say it, but-"

He grinned, "We'll control ourselves in places we might be seen by the younger students, Master."

"Good."

Ramza took Irina's hand in his. "I think you'll like this place, Irina. Well, I hope you do, anyway. Shall we?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina smiled up at Ramza. "I hope I will too, love. I'm looking forward to seeing where little Ramza Orlandau grew up." She leaned against him for a moment, looking around at the green jungle. "Where should we start? I'd say we should drop off our things in whatever room we've been assigned, but we'd never get back out the door, I think," she teased.

They started down the path that lead from where the ship had landed. "This is a lovely planet. Well, what I can see of it," she said. Irina looked around eagerly, feeling and hearing the life around her. It was . . . it was so much nicer than she could believe. It was almost possible to forget everything that had happened with all the natural wonder around them.

They turned a corner and she stopped, staring. "Cheese and crackers!" The building was gigantic and made of stone, almost like something from a dream. "That's . . . is that . . . well, it has to be, doesn't it?" Irina looked at Ramza with wide eyes. "It's amazing." She couldn't even think of how it hadn't been taken by the jungle in the time when the Jedi order had been hidden. It was a miracle.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza smiled, looking up at the towering vastness of the Great Temple with his love. "This is it. Well, part of it. This is the Great Temple. Most of the Academy is here; quarters, libraries, a few hangers, kitchens, dining areas, laundry, you name it." He gestured out away from it, pausing to point out similar structures in the near distance. "Some of the smaller temples have been refurbished for our use too, but only the ones that are close to this leviathan here. A lot of the training and training courses, especially the physical ones, are done out there," he continued, gesturing to the verdant jungle.

He gave her hand a squeeze. "I don't know how much you know about Yavin 4, other than, you know, the Battle of Yavin and all. But these temples have been here for about 5, 000 years, the oldest ones." He hesitated a moment. "They were built by a race called the Massassi, who are gone now. The Massassi were brought here and enslaved, alchemically and genetically mutated by...by the Sith Lord Naga Sadow, who had them build these in his honor." His smile had faded a bit, "Exar Kun found them a thousand years later and made his own Sith bid for the galaxy from here." The ancient Sith Lord's spirit had still been here when the Academy was started, until it was finally destroyed by the "first class" of new Jedi.

He shrugged, "After him they just lay here until the Rebel Alliance found it and turned the Great Temple into their hidden base. They left after the Battle of Yavin, obviously, but after it all...Master Skywalker chose to put the Academy here." He paused. "Some of the others masters still are unsure of the wisdom of that. Many of the temples, particularly on the other continents, are still unexplored. No one knows what Sith lore or secrets or weapons may be resting there. And in a lot of the places, the Dark Side is strong. Very strong."

Ramza looked down at Irina, "I always thought it was a good reason for the Academy to be here. I mean, metaphysically, the importance of putting the school of the Light in a former stronghold of the Dark is pretty plain. But...it also means that...we get to feel the Dark Side. We're all going to be tempted, we're all going to face that challenge. Being here means we can be trained for it better, recognize it." He laughed a bit, "Sorry. You didn't ask for a lecture."

The young Jedi looked around, seeing people moving in and out of the grand structure. "It was very different from what I was used to, when I came here," he mused. "But it became a place I loved very quickly."

"Anyway. Want to go in?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Well, that story explained the feeling she got from the place. It felt like the whole aura of the place was braided with light and darkness, shimmering and shadowing in the heavy jungle air. "I . . . yes, let's go in." Irina reached out, slipping her arm around his waist. "Just stay close, okay? I'd hate to get lost."

The entrance he took her to was on the ground level - fortunate, since she wasn't sure about all those stairs. They went into the cooler darkness inside the Temple, and she looked around. The hallway was bright enough that there was no need to squint, but the stone of the Temple seemed to catch the light and drink it in instead of reflecting it back. Irina looked around, taking in the carvings on the wall and the grand doorways. "What's down here?" she asked, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza shivered suddenly; feeling the dark residue in the place grope at him. Even with the Jedi here, in numbers, and in great power, the Dark Side had been poured into this place for generations millennia ago, and it still hung on. He felt it; a caress of welcome and a tempting offer of an embrace, if only he'd let himself feel all the anger and bitterness that had nearly consumed him weeks ago. He pushed it back; a firm rebuff. It retreated, and he was left to wonder if it would test him more than it used now. Now that he had come close to tainting himself with it.

He realized he'd yet to answer her question. "Sorry. I...just felt something...well, anyway." He shook his head. Would she feel it too? Probably. Possibly stronger than any of them. Many here had been tempted; but few had ever openly and willing embraced, even cherished the Dark Side. Or perhaps it would consider her already lost to it and would ignore her. "Well...it's kind of hard to say what's down here, really. There's so much."

He looked around. "On this floor, it's mostly mediation rooms, class rooms, dining rooms, kitchens are here, so are a lot of general facilities. The library is here, that's a key point. And the indoor sparring and training ranges." He paused. "The basements below us have maintenance, computer caches, the power generators, hangers and repair bays for some pretty big ships, a few bunkers, survival gear, all that kind of thing."

He pointed up. "The floor above us is most of the rooms and quarters as well as some smaller sitting areas, that kind of thing. Some of them have been turned into meditation chambers and sparring areas too; and some have been converted into specific cultural shrines or things important to some of the people here."

"The level above that is...well, VIP quarters, meeting rooms, and so on. The Masters and instructors, as well as important guests generally have rooms up there." He smiled then, "And up top is the Great Audience Chamber. There are a few antechambers up there too, but the whole floor is mostly just the one big room. It's where we gather for meetings of the Order as a whole and where Master Skywalker gives his daily reflections, we gather for big news, and so on. A lot of us like to go up there to train or talk too; it just feels...good up there."

They continued walking, "And there's entrances to the outside as well. A lot of training actually takes place on the outside of the Temple. Especially lightsaber practice. I always like to go up to the very top of the temple for it, when I can."

He shrugged then. "I don't make a good tour guide...well, um. What do you want to see?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina looked around the dim hallway, her eyes taking in the shadowy recesses of doorways and the carvings on the walls. Something about the abstract shapes pulled at a part of her mind, like a memory more than half-forgotten. Shaking her head, the former Sith turned to her love with a small smile. "Well, I'd love to see where we'll be bunking, but since the arrangements aren't made yet," one of her hands curled down to grip his rear for a moment, "I think I'd like to see the library."

They headed down the hallway, her arm gripping his waist tighter. This place felt like . . . there was more darkness than just the simple lack of light. It was as though it were lurking over her shoulder, waiting for her to trip up, to let her rage flare, or just feel jealousy or weakness. But it might also just be watching, thinking she was already lost to it. "I'm sure the library here is extensive," Irina managed in a calm voice - it only shook slightly. He probably wouldn't even be able to . . . he'd be able to tell, unless he was really distracted.

She looked at the walls, trying to distract herself from the feeling of oppressive darkness. "The carvings on these are amazing, it's incredible they've held up this long." Irina looked at Ramza, smiling at him. "This is an amazing place, love. I'm glad I can be here with you."

 

[Armphid]

"You feel it, don't you?" It wasn't really a question. He knew she could feel the darkness, knew it was bothering her, knew that she was trying to ignore it and distract him. "The Dark Side." He walked with her, holding her close as the two lovers made their way to the library. "I can feel your worry over it. I understand, I feel it here too...more than I used to."

He'd come close to the Dark Side on that ship. Not during his escape or the battle with Darth Cynis, but afterward. Crashed on that planet.

"I know why you're worried about it. But be careful that you don't let your worry become fear." Fear was the path to the Dark Side, Master Skywalker said. "I'm sure your old master didn't say this, but the truth is that it can't touch you unless you let it. So it can lurk and tempt all it wants. Because you've made your choice, and you're stronger than it is."

He paused before the door to the library. "At least, that's what I believe." He raised a hand to the sensor beside the door and it hissed open.

The library was like much of the rest of the temple; both modern and archaic. It was tall and wide; shelves for books and scrolls stacked atop one another. Desks and tables were clustered in the middle open space, but also tucked away in corners and corridors of shelves for more private study. Each desk and table and places to plug in datapads or computers, as well as a built in unit that could access the treasure trove of digital information available. On the upper floor of the tall chamber there was a sectioned off restricted area. To normal eyes it appeared mundane; but to those strong in the Force, there was great strength behind the sealed door. Power that was both Light and Dark.

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina looked around the library, her eyes gliding over the books and scrolls. "So much knowledge," she murmured, biting her lower lip. It was amazing, the amount of amassed research and study that was in this room. "This is . . . I will be spending a lot of time here." She would anyway, but she'd been assigned some heavy reading as part of her training, so she'd have to come in at least once a week to grab books or plug in a datapad. Assuming she got a datapad . . . .

Her eyes moved to the section that seemed to pulse with Light and Dark, and Irina's eyes narrowed. There was something important up there. "What's that?" she asked Ramza, shifting her head towards him but keeping her eyes focused on the door that was blocking her sight of whatever that power was. "It feels . . . strange. Strong."

Sighing, Irina shook her head. She didn't need to know right now. "It's okay, don't tell me. The curiosity will be almost unbearable, and I won't be able to even ask anyone else about it, because . . . well, you know." She squeezed his hand, smiling ruefully. "In a while, maybe I'll ask someone. What should we look at now?"

 

[Armphid]

Ramza grimaced at Irina's turnabout on her question. If the curiosity would be maddening, then wouldn't it be better if he told her? But it was the rest of it that was really troubling. Did she feel that her questions wouldn't be answered? That she was being held to some secret observation or suspicion that would keep her from learning what she wished?

It was reasonable, he couldn't deny it. And, at least to some of the masters, she probably was. He knew Master Shahazdra didn't trust her very much. Once they met and the story got around...it could be interesting. Master Skywalker's decisions were respected; but that didn't mean that the rest of the masters would agree or wouldn't try to get concessions out of the man as a compromise.

He shook his head and sighed, "As you wish, Irina." It might be wise, and it was certainly prudent. But it also felt dishonest somehow. "Why don't we go to the Grand Audience Chamber? There's probably a few people training up there," there almost always were," and it's just a very...there's a lot of energy there, and it's impressive in terms of architecture. Then we can go to the outside of the temple, up to the top. And, I don't know...make out, perhaps."

Ramza heard a few datapads thump as they were dropped to desks and hastily retrieved to cover the faces of blushing and/or grinning students. He winked at Irina, "We could also start your library reading early. " He leaned in a bit close, "Or sneak off into a quiet corner of the stacks and make out."

 

[HookerBoots]

She grinned, wrapping her arms around one of his. "Well, I like at least part of that idea. But let's head up to the Grand Audience Chamber. I should probably get as much face time as I can with the other people here, so that when they hear rumors about the 'scary Sith that's come to stay', they'll know that I don't bite." Irina brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "Sort of get a headstart on the gossip, you know?"

Licking her lips, she rested her head on his shoulder. "Though, afterward, I would love to get some face time with you. And maybe some other kind of time." They headed out of the library and back into the hall, and Irina was silent for a little while, listening to their footsteps on the floor, the soft almost-gritty sound of the stone under their boots. It was good to walk like this with him, to be close and just . . . happy.

"Love, do you think . . . do you really think my sister will be welcome? I mean, they won't . . . think less of her because of me?" It felt like a stupid question, but it wasn't. She hoped it wasn't.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza grinned down at his love as she took his arm and they left the library. Really? She wanted them to know she wouldn't bite. Well, that wasn't true. Being Sith had nothing to do with it, his love could snap. But the rest of her comments drove that thought right out of his mind, "Oh, Irina...I want nothing more than all kinds of time with you. Right now, if I had my way."

They took one of the lifts up to the Great Audience Chamber. Ramza felt her unease before she spoke, listening carefully. How should he answer? Bssh. There was no doubt. She'd know if he lied anyway, and be mad at him for it, and rightly so. "I can lie and say no, if you want me to." The elevator came to a halt; the doors swishing open a moment later. They'd taken one of the corner lifts rather than the large main one, emerging at the far end of the hall from the raised area where Master Skywalker gave his meditations and ceremonies were held. "But you know as well as I do that the thoughts of the others here will be colored by what they know of you."

The hall was simple yet as grand as it's namesake. It was massive, taking up this entire floor of the temple. The walls rose high, masterfully carved pillars set in them supporting the high, vaulted roof. "Just like when I came here, everyone's thoughts were colored about what they knew about my family. A lot of people assumed I'd be spoiled, lazy, naive, and arrogant. Just as many gave me an even chance to show who I was. In time, the others who made assumptions based on where I came from and who my parents were came around." Most of them, anyway.

In the vast room, there were a number of people. Some sat alone, meditating or reading. Others were in small groups, speaking softly or practicing minor techniques. Near the raised area, the silver skinned beauty Master Tionne, the order's historian, was softing singing in her soaring crystal voice to a group of young students of the tale of Nomi Sunstrider. Ramza smiled, then turned to face Irina, taking her shoulders in his hands. "Lizeth will go through that too. The same as everyone does. Including you. I will tell you this though, for sure. No one will harm her because of what you were or what you did."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina sighed. "You're right. It was sort of a silly question." She grabbed one of his hands, squeezing his fingers gently. "But at least she won't be hurt by it . . . physically, that is. I'm sure she'll have to deal with people talking about me, but it won't be anything she hasn't heard before." She turned around, looking at the structure around them. The Chamber was large and simple.

"I like this place. It's nice." The sound of the historian's voice traveled around the high ceiling and pillared walls, filling the entire room with the soft sound of music. Even as she looked around, though, Irina could feel eyes on her, looking away as her gaze passed over them and then back right away. "So, um, what should we . . . ?"

She trailed off as another Jedi approached, his eyes slightly hard and colored with amusement. "Orlandau, long time, no see." He clapped Ramza on the shoulder in what seemed like a friendly gesture, but even Irina could tell that his friendliness was all surface. "Is this the new apprentice?"

Irina raised an eyebrow at his tone, her arms crossing over her chest. He'd be handsome, if he weren't clearly a jackass. Chin-length blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and chiseled features. And, of course, from what she could tell about his body under his clothes, lean and well-muscled. But his tone told her that he'd already made assumptions about who she was and what she was capable of. Instead of backhanding the asshole across his face, she looked at him with a winning smile, and then up at Ramza. "Ramza, love, why don't you introduce me to your friend?"