Star Wars: Swords of the Force

[Armphid]

Ramza did not smile; though his expression wasn't hostile either. Of all the Jedi they had to meet when he wanted Irina to form a good impression, it was him. "I don't know that it was that long," he replied. The man's hand rested on his shoulder for a few seconds longer than necessary, the two of them looking into each others' eyes. "Irina Farlander, meet Nuen Fang, Jedi Apprentice."

"Jedi Knight," the other man corrected, "Just before you left, if you recall. You may not, you were never the scholarly type." He smiled, but there was a glint of controlled anger in his eyes. "The Sith must have beaten the memory out of you."

"I barely noticed at the time," Ramza replied, "So perhaps they did." He shrugged, "It's a danger of being out in the field instead of safe at the Academy." He smiled back at Nuen. "I see you're still here."

"Helping train some of the younger students between assignments. The masters think I make a good role model." The quiet implication there made the handsome human's smile become a smirk. "Nice to meet you, Apprentice Farlander. I'm sure Orlandau's told you about me." He barely glanced to Irina. "We came in the same Academy class. Kept switching off the top student position. Though I think he liked it when I was on top," he stretched the word out a bit, "less stress to perform, right, Orlandau?"

"Never had a problem performing, doesn't matter which of us was on top." Ramza shrugged. "I wasn't anymore stressed than everyone else."

"Right, naturally. A guy in your position probably hasn't had a lot of that, huh?" Nuen looked over at Irina. "Well, I have to go and consult with a few people about the investigation into these new Sith. Nice to meet you, Irina. Maybe later you can tell me all about how you trapped our boy here." He clapped Ramza on the shoulder again, with that lingering touch, then swept past them, waving lazing over one shoulder, "Let me know when they fix you up with your convalescence, Orlandau, I'd like to be able to find you to catch up."

 

[HookerBoots]

Her eyes were hard as she watched him walk away. Irina had practically bristled through the entire conversation - though it was unlikely Nuen would have noticed. "I wonder," she said softly in a cold tone, "if he realizes that the person he should talk to about those Sith was right in front of him. It is fortunate I know that not all Jedi are so blinded by ambition and ego, or I would be reconsidering my apprenticeship." Shaking her head slowly, Irina looked at Ramza, smiling a little. "So, I'm sure there were other people you wanted me to meet besides that guy. Let's find them."

He looked at her with a small smile. His love couldn't hide her feelings from him, but she was doing pretty well hiding them from the others. Ramza noticed movement, and his smile broadened, his entire carriage relaxing somewhat. "I don't know that we'll have to - I think one of them has found us."

The woman who had been singing was making her way over, her class whispering among themselves. "Ramza, it's been too long since you were home!" She wrapped him in a hug, which he returned. When she pulled back, her pearl-white eyes went to Irina, and she smiled. "And this must be the new apprentice." She extended a hand to Irina. "It's a pleasure to have you with us, my dear."

The former Sith shook hands with the silver-haired woman, inclining her head slightly. "Master Jedi."

 

[Armphid]

The silver haired woman giggled, almost girlishly, "So polite! But you don't need to be, dear, I'm Tionne Solusar. Please, just call me Tionne." Her smile was genuine, and it seemed to brighten the room. Her spirit was alight with the joy of music, knowledge, and teaching.

"Master Tionne, it's good to see you again." Ramza couldn't help but smile at the radiant older woman.

She sighed, "I won't even bother telling you not to call me 'Master,' Ramza. I know how to choose my battles. But at least you'll use my first name." Tionne looked over at Irina, "He drives Jakara crazy by insisting on calling her 'Master Shahazdra' all the time."

Ramza shrugged, "It's good for her. Forgive me, Master, but I forgot. This is Irina Farlander."

"Farlander, hmm?" Tionne looked speculatively at the former Sith. "A pleasure, dear, but if you don't mind my asking, has your family name always been Farlander? Do you know if it was changed from something else?"

Ramza blinked. She could change gears so fast. "Ah, Master Tionne is the Order's historian. She has a keen interest in trying to trace the bloodlines of new people to see if they're old Jedi lines that somehow escaped the Purge."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm being rude, aren't I?" She shook her head, "Your first day and I'm peppering you with questions, forgive me, Irina." She patted the younger woman's shoulder. "I know you don't know me, Irina, but if you need anything to here, please come to me. My husband and I know about your situation, and we understand. My Kam had a background like yours before Luke found him and turned him." Her hand gave the younger woman's upper arm a light squeeze. "I have a very good ear, for music, or just to listen."

"Speaking of Master Solusar," Ramza began, "is he-"

"Oh, yes, he intends to find you before you're moved, Ramza." She smiled cheerily, "He said he needed to check on you."

"Oh." Ramza's tone was less than enthused. "Good." He should have known. It wasn't that he didn't dislike Master Solusar, but the taciturn, laconic man was a hard instructor and a relentless one as well. He'd also been one of the people who taught Ramza to fight. If he'd heard about how he lost to Irina...

Tionne looked over her shoulder at the whispering students. "I'm sorry I can't talk now. But we will soon, all of us." She took one of each of their hands in hers, squeezing them, "May the Force be with you." Then she turned, "Come along now, children. You can play with the grown ups after class."

Ramza watched her go, glancing over at Irina. "I had the biggest crush on her when I first got here," he chuckled. "She's probably the warmest hearted person I've ever met."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina grinned at him. "She seems very nice," she said, lacing their fingers together. "Let's go up to the top of the temple, get some fresh air. And I'd like to see my new home, of course."

"All right, love." Ramza smiled at her, glad that she seemed to like Master Tionne. "We'll head for the stairs over there, then." He pointed with their joined hands toward a staircase that was more narrow than a lot of the other sets of stairs that she'd seen - not that they were narrow by any means.

They started for the stairs, and as soon as they were past the last group of children, she glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. "So, Ramza, what was up with you and Nuen Fang?" She wasn't at all sure her suspicions were correct, but if they were . . . it would explain a lot of her love's willingness to try new things.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza sighed, actually blushing a little. "I should have known you'd...well." He shook his head. "Let's wait until we get to the top, okay? A little more private..."

The two lovers climbed the steps, emerging out to the outside of the temple and taking a set of stairs that went up the outside to the actual summit of the grand structure. They reached the top, a flat level platform an ancient rock some sixty feet square. "But first, I just need to look at this."

They were now well over two hundred feet about the forest floor and the green life of Yavin IV stretched out before them like an endless sea of trees. It was though they could see forever; the whole world of the jungle moon rolling out beneath them.

He hugged Irina to him. "It means a lot to me, to share this with you." He took a deep breath. "Both the view and this." He looked out at the green, calming himself. "I met Nuen Fang soon after coming here. I...was having difficulty fitting in..."

The boy was young, maybe thirteen, with unruly, spiky, black hair. He sniffed, his face streaked with tears. He never thought he'd want to go back home after being brought here. But after all this...

Another boy suddenly appeared by his hiding place, grinning. He held out his hand, a few pieces of candy in his palm. Young Ramza blinked at him, then smiled shyly.

~~~~~​

The boys were older, in a darkened room. Ramza was sitting on the lower bed of a set of bunk beds. Younger Nuen stood in front of him. "So, that's what it's like."

"Wow." Ramza smiled, "It sounds great. I wonder what it would actually be like though..."

The other boy smiled as well, sitting next to his roommate. "I could show you." He laid a hand on Ramza's. "You like me, right?"

"Of course!" Ramza flushed, "I like you, but I don't know if I'm...you know."

Nuen shook his head, "It's okay, you can be both, you know." He scooted closer, his hand moving to Ramza's thigh. "So...do you want to?"

Ramza nibbled his lower lip. Nuen's hand slipped further in on his thigh, sliding up. "...yes." The two boys leaned towards each other. Their lips met, Nuen sliding over, pushing Ramza down and moving on top of him.

~~~~~​

"Ohh, yes, feels so good," Ramza moaned. He was older again, in the same room. He was nude now, his body more sleekly muscular, laying back on the top bunk. The bottom one was cluttered with books, datapads, parts, and clothes.

Ramza rolled his head back, his legs were spread. Laying between them, his head bobbing up and down, was Nuen. Ramza's cock glistened with salive and pre-cum as the other youth greedily sucked on it, making sounds as though he were having the tastiest meal of his life. The dark haired boy's hands were tangled in his blond locks, holding on for dear life as his friend fellated his proud member.

Suddenly, Ramza let out a choked gasp, "Nuen, I'm-" The other boy pulled off his cock, his face just in front of it, one hand taking his mouth's place and pumping the nobleman's dick. "Ahh! Yes! Fuck!" It spurted up, Ramza's jizz splattering on Nuen's grinning face.

~~~~~​

Ramza shifted forward, gasping, "Sithspawn! It feels so...big! Ahh, like I'm gonna...nnn...tear open!" He was on his knees, bent over, clutching onto one of the pillows.

Nuen was behind him, his sliky skinned cock driven half-way into Ramza's tight pucker. "You're doing great, Orlandau. Fuck, you feel so good! Tight and hot...I can't get enough of your sweet ass."

Ramza gasped again as his friend pushed in further, filling his young body with hard, hot cock, "Uhhh! G-good! I can't, ohh, get enough of this cock!"

"Makes two of us," Nuen groaned. He pushed in again, slipping all the way inside, "Oh, fucking hells!" He panted, holding still a few seconds. "...You ready?"

Ramza shivered, looking back over his shoulder. "Yes. Fuck me. Fuck me now, I want it!"

"You need it, you dirty boyslut," Nuen laughed. Then he pulled his cock back about halfway before plunging in, "Ahh, fuck, and so do I!" He began to pump his teen phallus in and out of his friend's willing body, grunting and groaning as Ramza pushed his hips back to meet him.

"Ohh, that's it! Give it to me, fuck me, fill me, yes!" Ramza's eyes closed in bliss, his tongue slipping over his lips as he savored the feeling. "More!"

"Give you, hnn, all I have," his friend responded, shifting up on his feet to start pounding hard into the apprentice's sweet, tight pucker. "Take this hard cock, Orlandau, all of it."

"All you got, I want it," he moaned. "Keep going, ohh, don't stop!"

"Fuck, Orlandau, I'm close!"

Ramza clenched his ass, "Do it in me! I want to feel it!"

Nuen groaned, his hips pumping wildly a few times, a hoarse grunt coming with every jerking thrust. Ramza moaned out as he felt something heavy, hot, and viscious splurt out inside him...

~~~~~​

Nuen laughed, waving as a group of other students moved off. From behind a pillar nearby, Ramza stepped out. His face was hard. He stood there for several moments, until Nuen sensed his presence and turned around. "Orlandau, there you are. I've been waiting. I just-"

"Got done telling Vril, Gilesh, and Enged all about how afraid I was to face the cave." Ramza's hard eyes glittered with anger and unshed tears. "About how I copy off of you every night, and that's how I get such high marks. About how the only reason I succeed at all is because I have you to look up to. That I don't have any talent, that I'm just a spoiled nobleman's son." He looked up into the taller boy's face. "I knew someone was spreading rumors, finding things out about me and telling everyone. But I never thought...that it'd be you. YOU."

Nuen looked stricken, "Orlandau...Ramza, I didn't mean-"

"Yes, you did." The words cracked like a whip. "You meant every word, I can feel you, remember?" He shook his head, "After all we've done and been through...you'd throw me to the rancor just to brown nose with the popular kids?"

"It's not like that. I just-"

"No? Then tell me, Nuen, what's it like?" Ramza glared at the blond youth fiercely. The other boy looked away. "...So. That's it then." He turned to walk away.

Nuen spoke up, "It doesn't have to be like this, Orlandau. You'll get over it, and I'll take you back."

Ramza stopped but didn't look back. "Why? So I can just take more abuse from you behind my back?"

Nuen sneered, "You like it from behind."

The black haired boy spun, lashing out with one hand. Nuen's eyes went wide, his breath rushing out of him in a strangled gasp. He staggered back, hands lifting to his throat, trying to pry away invisible fingers. "Never mention that again! Don't you dare! You just threw that away! All of it!" He jerked his hand back, his cheeks flushed with anger and shame.

Nuen fell to his knees coughing. Ramza stared at him, his youthful face torn, ashamed, afraid, angry. "...You should get that cough looked at, Apprentice Fang." Then he turned again, walking away, his shoulders trembling.

Behind him, Nuen Fang stood up slowly, his face defiant yet tinged with regret. "...Orlandau...I...I'm sorry..." But Ramza did not stop walking, pretending he didn't hear.

Ramza looked out over the jungle, his eyes sad and regretful as well. He shrugged, "It's nothing. Trivial. Just...two kids being stupid." It was a lie and you he knew she was aware of it. "...So. That's the story."

He had stepped away from her while talking, and took a few more now, standing only a few feet from the edge of the roof. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at the wild green below, but not truly seeing it. Just regrets and old wounds. "Compared to the things you've endured, it's nothing. So, don't give it any thought."

 

[HookerBoots]

She stood still, hugging him back, as he reviewed what had happened between him and the blond jedi. Irina could pick up the feelings, and quite a few of the images, and it made her a little . . . more upset with the other man. When Ramza had finished, she looked up at him, watching him impassively as he lied to her. Then she raised one eyebrow at him. "Nothing, hmm? Trivial."

One hand reached up, pulling his face down to hers, kissing him fiercely and then releasing him, leaving his face inches from hers. "Ramza, I love you. Please don't lie to me, or try to belittle your feelings." She smiled a little whimsically. "If you'd like, I'll kick him in the privates next time I see him."

Letting go, she looked out over the green vistas of the planet. "He meant a lot to you, and he treated you badly. There's no pain worse than that." She was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry again, Ramza. I can't . . . I'm grateful you were able to forgive me, though I'm even more amazed that you were able to after that."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza smiled sadly, "They say you always hurt the ones you love. I have had some experience with it before, so...perhaps I am better suited to dealing with it." He reached out to run a hand through her hair. "I love you, Irina, and so forgiveness...was hard." He paused a moment; remembering all the betrayal and hurt in a rush of images and phantom pain. "Very hard. But I am better for it. Just...don't make me do it again, hmm?"

He was only half joking and was sure she knew it. He didn't know if he would be strong enough to forgive a third betrayal by her. He just didn't think he would have the courage.

"I would ask you not to kick him there, out of fond memory if nothing else," Ramza continued after several long moments of silence. "But treat him in whatever other manner you choose, love. Part of me feels that...someday I should make an attempt to make peace with Nuen Fang." He sighed, "But part is still that betrayed and heartbroken boy, and he tells me never to forget."

The Jedi sighed, shaking his head, "Far more drama than either of us needed today, I'm afriad. Forgive me, love." He hugged her from behind, looking out over the jungle with her. "I want this day to be more about you than me."

~~~~~~~​

The wide and tall room was dark, the only illumination coming from sharply glowing screen beside canisters that were well over ten feet tall and wide enough to hold a large person. In the canisters, strange shapes floated. Save for one; whose door stood open.

In a nearby room; a slender and willowy human woman with perfect pale skin and wine red eyes read from a smaller screen. She was nude, some liquid dripping slowly from her pert nipples. "I see." Her voice was soft and gentle, but utterly lacking emotion. "I will require others."

She rose and walked back to the main room. She stood before a main terminal and began to tap at the keys there. Around the room another canister's controls lit up and the machinery began to whir. Then another. Then another. Then another.

Darth Alecto reborn nodded. "Grow. Gain strength. Then we will find them."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina reached up behind her, stroking his cheek. "It's about us, Ramza. Today's about us." She smiled a little sadly. "And you can forgive without forgetting. It's harder, but it's possible." Tilting her head back, resting it on his shoulder, she sighed. "If it would be all right, I think I'd like to go to where we'll be staying."

From behind them, Jakara spoke. "That's a capital idea - and one I was just about to suggest."

They both jumped, and then flushed. Irina, for her part, had closed her mind as tightly as she could, trying to keep out the excess noise, and hadn't felt the other woman show up. "Great minds, Master," she said, trying to save face.

The Jedi nodded sagely, her eyes amused. "If you would walk with me, there are a few things for you to decide."

Irina's eyes flickered to Ramza's face, then back to the older woman. "All right," she agreed, taking his hand as they both fell into step with the woman.

As they made their way down the stairs, Jakara clasped her hands behind her back. "First, you will need to decide if you would like to stay in the Temple, or at a slightly separate location. The campsite you would be staying at is partially set up, but we haven't moved your things there." She glanced at them. "If either of you is still having nightmares, I would suggest spending at least one night there."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza nodded. "Of course." The nightmares weren't really the problem. The fact that he'd likely braodcast them to a massive building full of Force sensitive children who were all likely to pick up the transmission to one extent or another was. Which was part of the point of having he and Irina set apart at first anyway. "It would be wise then, Master."

Shame stung him. He tried to banish it, but it clung to his heart relentlessly. "They still come each night, though they've gotten weaker. Well, usually." Sometimes they were just as strong as those first nights and sent him screaming into wakefulness, or throwing himself away from Irina in blind panic until he realized where he was and who he was with. Such weakness. "...It would be best if I were apart from everyone."

Jakara looked at him critically, "Ramza," her tone was sharp and clear, "You know better than that. This is not anything to be ashamed of, nor a sign of weakness. All those here who have experienced such hardships still suffer from the memory of them from time to time."

"Yes, Master, but-"

"Not one more word, young Jedi." She shook her head. "What is the root of shame?"

"Pride," he answered. It was one of her common themes.

"Correct. Thus, if you are feeling shame now, it is because you are retreating to pride to try and mask your pain." The handsome woman glanced about for a moment, then stepped closer to he and Irina. "Don't cover your hurts with pride. Irina, Alma, and I...we love you, Ramza. Let that love in as a balm. Don't take the prideful road and accept shame instead."

The dark haired Jedi looked down, overwhelmed for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and looked back up at her. "...I understand, Master. I will do so."

Jakara drew back. "Good." Then she turned and began to walk again. "I am having two of the students gather your things and then we will journey together to your..." Her lips quirked. "...Honeymoon suite, perhaps. It's a bit rough now, but in a few days we will have it quite pleasant."

Ramza took Irina's hand in his, "I'm sure it will be perfect, Master." He looked over at his love. "I'll already have everything I need though." Right here. Her.

Jakara sighed, "Young love." But he was also partly right, as much as it might gall her privately. "It's for our protection too, you know. The feelings that come off the two of you at night...this is a family insitution, after all."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina's lips twitched a little. "I suppose we do get a bit . . . intense," she said, hiding a smile. "Though it can hardly be called a honeymoon suite, as there has been no wedding. Or even a proposal, really." She nudged him a little, trying to let him know she was teasing. Something occurred to her then, and her brow furrowed slightly. "Master, I'm sure it's already being taken care of, but we left a great deal on Cholganna . . . ."

Jakara nodded. "You did, and yes, it is being taken care of. I'm glad you hadn't forgotten, however. One Master and two apprentices are on their way there right now."

"Would it be possible for them to bring something else?"

"It isn't a shopping trip, apprentice."

Irina shook her head. "It's not really a thing, Master." She glanced at Ramza. "When we were there, one of my childhood friends had been employed by my parents. I'd like to get her out of there." She blushed a little, looking at the stone under their feet as they walked towards the end of the structure of the Temple and the beginning of the green forest. "If it would be possible for her to have a position here, or something, I'd . . . like it."

There was silence from the older woman. "After the two of you . . . went missing, I received a transmission from that area, from a woman named Shi're, who claimed to be a domestic in your parents' house."

Another moment of silence. "She . . . yes, that's her. Please, Master, if it's possible at all."

The trio came upon a clearing with a substantial tent set in the middle of it, and Jakara stopped. "I shall send a message as soon as I get back. We're always welcoming to people who have the proper . . . attitude."

 

[Armphid]

Jakara shook her head, a but rueful. "It would also be good of me to speak to her once she is here. When she first contacted us I was somewhat...brusque with her."

Ramza felt a surge of guilt. It was because of his predicament that she'd been upset enough to act that way towards someone. His master was usually very diplomatic and courteous. "Master, I-"

"If you apologize, I will give you a spanking." Jakara glared at Ramza fiercely; counting on the oddity of the threat to stall him, as it did. "I did not keep my control at that time, due to my own lapse, not any other cause."

Ramza considered it for a moment. Better not to address the lingering feeling of guilt. If only he'd been stronger, smarter, more powerful...he could have done something, made it all different.

But he grinned and winked, trying not to let his thoughts show, "...Do you promise to give me a spanking, Master?"

The gracefully aging redhead looked at him coolly before she sighed. "I should have come up with something you wouldn't enjoy." She rolled her eyes, "Perhaps between the two of you some of that lecherous energy can be burned out."

"I wouldn't put money on it, Master," Ramza answered.

"No," Jakara said with a bit of regret, "no, it wouldn't be prudent." She then gestured for them to make themselves comfortable. "This will do for tonight. The more permanent set up in one of the smaller temples will be finished sometime tomorrow. For now, I suggest you both relax, clear your minds, and feel the living Force of the moon all around you."

She bowed to the two of them and then turned and swept out of the clearing and back down the path. Ramza watched her go. "She has...suffered a great deal because of me." She wasn't the only one. Now that he thought about it, so had Alma. And Irina. And even Lizeth. His right hand curled into a fist as he felt a tongue of anger snake through him. Curse his weakness! He wouldn't let it happen again. He would become strong. "Anyway. We should get things set up to our liking, don't you agree?"

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina wrapped her fingers around his fist, uncurling his fingers gently. "Yes, we should. Though as far as I'm concerned, anything that can wait, should." She stepped close to him, her free hand going to his neck. "Because I think I've got something that can't wait any more." Gently, she tugged his head down, kissing him deeply.

As their lips parted, she sighed happily. "I've been wanting that since . . . well, since we did it last." Licking her lips, Irina stepped a little closer, feeling his body against hers. "So what I'd suggest is that you take me into the tent, and -"

There was a rustling sound, and a man stepped out from the brush on the opposite side of the clearing from the tent. "I've been looking for you, Orlandau."

Irina stepped back from Ramza as though he were made of white-hot metal, while he flushed and released her waist. "Master Solusar, I was going to come find you once we got settled."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza felt a shock of chagrin and a little bit of fear as Kam Solusar stepped into the clearing. The almost lie was out of his mouth before he could contain it.

"Were you? Hmp." Kam Solusar was an older man, in his early 50's. His hair was still black in places, but it was shot through with a steely gray that was quickly taking over, even turning white in places; it was swept back and cut roughly, ending up being somewhat spiky and irregular. His face was worn yet handsome; though there were scars along his right cheek, down his chin, and down his forehead and left cheek in a line that went over his eye. His eyes were hard brown orbs that seemed to cut through whatever they looked at and knew immediately its worth. His body was muscular and powerful under his robes, though he was starting to lose definition with age. Ramza knew from his instruction that the Master's body beneath was covered in scars as well. "You lost, Orlandau."

Ramza's head drooped, "Yes, Master."

"To her." Kam glanced at Irina, his gimlet eyes seeming more in that glimpse than many would see with hours of study.

The young Jedi felt the older man's gaze return to him. "Yes, Master. She defeated me." His hands again curled into fists as he felt that impotent frustration and fury seethe in his guts.

"Huh." The aging Jedi threw up an arm, a metallic cylinder flying towards Ramza who snatched it out of the air. "You remember how to use that, don't you?"

A training saber. Ramza nodded, "Of course, Master, I'm not-"

"You'll be treated like a beginner until you prove otherwise." A lightsaber hung from the master's belt, but he lifted a different one to point at Ramza. "Show me." The weapon ignited into blue crackling energy, but it was a much paler blue than the normal hue of a lightsaber.

"Yes, Master." Ramza ignited his own training weapon; its blade a pale green. These were like lightsabers, but so weak that they would only sting when they touched flesh, though they would sear through a lot of clothing.

Solusar took up a stance, "Don't go anywhere, Farlander. I've got someone coming to test you." Then he surged forward, his blade slicing in at Ramza's neck. The dark haired young man deflected it, darting under the older man's swing and bringing his own up in a vertical strike to slice him stem to sternum. Kam blocked and took a step back. "Hmp."

Then they moved forward at once and the sizzling crackle of lightsaber combat rung through the primordial noises of the jungle forest.

 

[HookerBoots]

Sighing, Irina sat down cross-legged on the grass, her back leaning against a tree. She should have known. But she also found it interesting - this was the man married to that sweet, silver-eyed lady from inside? Sheesh. She rested her hands in her lap, watching the two men fight with interest.

He was good. Both of them were, really, but . . . ohh, nice move! Even though he was fighting her Ramza, the man was impressive. But there she felt slightly disgruntled. She could be unpacking, or getting things together for dinner, but she had to stay there until whoever he had decided to pass her off to got here. Humph.

Suddenly, a tall blond girl pushed through the brush, looking exasperated. "Master Solusar, you told me to follow, and then you didn't wait!" She flipped a lock of hair off her face, muttering, "You never wait." Then she saw the sparring match, and her eyes went wide, a mix of emotions swirling in them. "Oh."

Irina stood up gracefully, edging around the circumference of the fighting men. "Hi, you must be . . . ."

"I am Jedi Knight Anara Mebos, apprentice." The blond had gone from exasperated to stiffly formal, and Irina's eyes narrowed slightly. Something was up here. "I have been asked to test your skills with a light saber." She tossed the training cylinder to the dark-haired girl. Irina caught it in the air, never taking her eyes off of the blond. "Normally, I would wait until Ramza and Master Solusar are done, but . . . ."

"Sit down, Mebos!" Kam's voice rang through the glade as he slashed at Ramza's chest. "I want to see it."

It took a great deal of self-control not to smirk at the blond as Irina sat back down, legs folded, the unlit saber resting in her lap. Almost sulkily, Anara sat down as well, her legs in front of her and bent at the knees, arms wrapped around them. "Yes, sir," she muttered, flicking a glance at Irina, who kept her face impassive. If the jedi had a question she wanted to ask, she wasn't going to make it easy for her.

 

[Armphid]

Ramza couldn't believe it. This was...the Force was laughing at him. Anara and Nuen Fang on the same day? He clumsily blocked a blow that could have taken off the top of his head, if their weapons were real.

"Pay attention."

Kam threw a hand out and an invisible wall of force struck Ramza and hurled him away to slam into the trunk of a tree. "Gah!" The dark haired Jedi dove forward, still disoriented from the shock of impact, barely in time to avoid a leaping overhand blow from Solusar. He pivoted and thrust at the powerful man, a stab that was deflected from being a killing blow to just scratching an arm.

"Hnn." It wasn't an expression of pain; just consideration and thought. Kam surged forward again, his weapon lashing out. The two men leaped and danced, parried and dodged, striking out again and again, battle cries ringing almost as loud as the sizzling crack of their weapons.

Anara Mebos watched intently, but her eyes also kept sliding over to look at Irina. Each time the master's training blade narrowly missed or nicked Ramza's flesh, she winced. The blond leaned over a bit towards Irina, "I know we just met, but can you do me a favor?" She paused a moment, then went on, "You were with him, wherever he was and during whatever went on." It wasn't a question. "After we've sparred...can you tell me what happened to him? Her eyes, a luminous violet, were concerned and unsure. "The Masters won't tell me since it's not my business directly, but Ramza...is very important to me. I don't want to ask him, since I know it was pretty bad, and he probably doesn't need people asking." The tall woman hugged her legs close to her. "I know you have no reason t-"

"Be quiet, Mebos," Kam snapped. The blond girl glared at his back indignantly. The older man was breathing a bit heavier. His robes were singed here and there from the training saber, but none of the injuries would have been more than a surface wound. Ramza was panting, sweat on his forehead, several minor injuries on him as well, including a few that would have been performance impeding with real weapons.

Kam surged forward again, striking out. Ramza parried and riposted; Kam ducking to the right and bringing his saber down across the young knight's forearms. "Hands." He then spun and kicked Ramza in the small of the back, sending him sprawling hard to the floor of the clearing. He stomped down on the nobleman's upper back, just below the neck, as he started to rise and pressed him down to the ground. He purposefully slid his training weapon slowly across the back of Ramza's neck. "Head."

He stepped back, letting Ramza roll over and get to a sitting position. The younger man's breath was ragged, his eyes staring into the dirt. Kam Solusar hooked the training weapon on his belt. "Hmp. Disappointing. I've seen ewoks with more skill and fighting spirit." The master shook his head. "You used to be good."

"Yes, Master," Ramza said. Damn it. Damn it! Why was he so weak? So terrible! He wanted to be...he thought he was so much more. Wrong. Too weak. Too confident in his skills, now revealed to be insufficient.

Kam walked past the young man, "You may be still be a knight, but you don't get to carry a lightsaber until you're worth it." He looked down at Ramza, and if he felt any sympathy for him there was no sign in his face or his tone, "You will train."

"Yes, Master."

Kam nodded. "Get out of the way then." Ramza stood and stepped to the edge of the camp as the Jedi Master turned to the two women. "You two, stand up. Basic rules, Farlander. A killing blow stops that pass. You go until I say stop." He shifted his robe a bit, resting his elbows in the sleeves. "Get going."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina didn't even have a chance to respond to the other girl's request before Master Solusar told her to be quiet. But she wasn't really sure what she'd say, either. Important to her, was he? Something told her she'd just met another of Ramza's former lovers, and she wasn't at all sure she liked it.

There was, however, one thing that was sure she didn't like, and it was how Kam Solusar was acting towards him. Of course he wasn't on his game right now, he was still recovering from his injuries and the torture . . . of course, he was a light saber instructor. They tended to be hardasses, which was an asset to the subject they taught. Didn't mean she had to like it.

Standing up at his word, Irina looked over her opponent. The girl was taller than she was, almost as tall as Ramza, and lithe. "Yes, Master," she said, igniting her light saber as she stepped into the center of the clearing.

Anara did the same, both of them looking at each other for a moment, assessing her opposite's fitness. At the same moment, they both rushed each other, blades sizzling as they crashed together, Irina breaking off first with a quick twist of her wrist, slapping back the slash Anara directed at her.

The blond shifted her stance, circling to stay facing Irina. There was cool surprise on the jedi's face, and she changed her grip slightly. From the side, there was a snort, and both women's eyes narrowed. Again, they lunged at each other, and this time, Irina dodged, taking a small sting on her left arm. Instead of breaking apart again, they stayed close, weapons slashing out in small, precise strikes.

Anara's face was set in an expression of concentration, swinging at Irina's head. The brunette ducked, her light saber flashing out and nicking Anara's cheek. It wouldn't have been a killing blow, but it would have been enough to draw blood, and the taller girl jumped back, getting distance between herself and the former Sith.

With a moment to catch her breath, Irina grinned. This was fun! She dashed to one side of Anara, who pivoted to one side. Irina jumped, using the Force to propel her higher than the taller girl could reach, twisting so that she landed facing the other girl. Anara was fast enough to throw herself forward to turn a 'crippling' blow to her back into what would be a flesh wound.

 

[Armphid]

Anara's face was flushed. She looked like a fool in front of Master Solusar and Ramza! This new girl was beating her ass and not in the good way. The smile on her face made the blond's heart plummet. She was just goofing around! She didn't even have to try to beat Anara.

Ramza watched; feeling torn over what he was seeing as the two women exploded into action again. Irina was as impressive as ever, steady, fast, and certain in the rhythm of the fight. Her skill was superlative and elegant. He was proud of her and amazed at just how good she was at this. Better than him. Better than Anara from what it looked like. It was true what Irina had said when she'd first revealed herself. He was weak. The Jedi were weak. Look at their performance today. Disgusting. Pathetic. Darth Cynis had been right about that.

What else had he been right about then? Ramza felt his guts knot, guilt rising up in him along with the rest of it. He should be glad for Irina. God, he was shallow.

Anara's blade knocked Irina's aside and twisted about it in a classic riposte, the brunette slipping to one side to take a light scratch instead of taking a shot that would have impaled her arm. With real sabers, she'd have lost already and she knew it. The injury to her back would have slowed her down a lot. She knew it, she was sure the other woman knew it, Master Solusar knew it, Ramza knew it. She was humiliated already. The rest of this was just gravy for the gorgeous newcomer.

Did she have to be prettier than Anara too? Wasn't everything else enough?

The tall woman rushed forward, striking and slipping a leg in between Irina's, forcing her to risk a trip if she retreated. Their blades locked in a corps-a-corps, Anara's superior physical strength pushing Irina's weapon closer to her own face. Irina growled; throwing herself back with the Force well clear of the interposed leg. As she hurled through the air, Anara reached out with a hand and took hold of her, using the Force and her own might to swing Irina around and slam her down to the ground. Irina rolled out of the way of her follow up stab, scrambling to her feet and dodging back from a series of cuts to reassert the taller woman's reach advantage.

But it had accomplished nothing. Anara hadn't landed a blow at all in the exchange, just tired herself out. She felt a surge of frustration and the certainty that she would lose. And as it went with fighting, as soon as you decide you're going to lose, you do. In the next exchange, her parry was just a bit too wide and Irina's blade cut down the middle of her chest. Anara winced, and then nodded, "Good."

"She was." Kam Solusar shook his head, "Let's hope the Sith are willing to defend the Republic if trouble comes. It's clear our Jedi aren't up to it." He turned, "I've seen enough for today."

"Master," Anara started to protest, "It's just one pass, I-"

A glance from the hard eyed man stopped her short. He just looked for a moment, then snorted, "Keep going if you want. But in a real fight, you'd already be dead, Mebos. There aren't any do-overs." He walked away, not bothering to look back again. "Tomorrow, all of you."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina stared at the retreating man's back, releasing the button of her training saber. Then, in a display of ultimate maturity, she stuck her tongue out at him. Then she sighed, turning back to the other two. "What did he mean, tomorrow? Where? When?"

Anara shook her head, letting her own blade vanish. "He expects all three of us to attend the advanced light saber technique class." She looked at the brunette seriously. "You're lucky - normally, the class is held before dawn. But Master Tionne told him she was tired of being roused before the sun, so we don't have to be there until two hours past dawn." A slightly vexed look came over her face, and she added, "Though it doesn't look like you really need it."

Stifling a groan, Irina nodded. She knew how training was, but she'd hoped - pointlessly, of course - that she wouldn't have to get up early anymore. Wrong, of course. Especially with them staying this far out from the Temple. And then she blushed. "I don't . . . I mean, I still have a lot to learn. I mean, I might be all right with a saber, but the rest of it . . . ."

The violet-eyed blond glanced at Ramza, who shrugged. It wasn't untrue - she was struggling with diplomacy, as well as her control of the Force. But she wasn't doing as badly as she thought. Anara clipped the training saber she'd used to her belt, moving over to where Ramza was and hugging him. "I'm glad you're back, Orlandau," she said, her voice a little strained. "They wouldn't let me go on the rescue mission, Master Anthula refused to even consider it." She pushed back, her hands lightly on his arms. "Alma was in a state, I spent half my time trying to keep her from stealing a ship and going herself."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza shook his head along with the shrug, "You give yourself too little credit, Irina." He smiled as Anara turned to face him more directly. "She's impressive and highly skilled at just about everything. Powerful, elegant, controlled, skilled, and savvy. She's-"

He was going to say that she was his better in every way, which was true, when Anara hugged him tightly. Ramza's smile became faintly nostalgic and a bit sad but he returned her hug. "I'm glad to be back." It felt good. Better than it should perhaps. Irina could be the jealous type. He drew back a bit, "Thank you for being here with Alma. I...put her through a lot in all of this. It's comforting to know you were here for her to talk to and depend on."

The blond smiled, blinking away a few tears that had gathered in her eyes and were threatening to fall. "It was good for us both, probably." The shirt beneath her robe had been cut by the training saber and her generous breasts were beginning to push the fabric further apart.

Ramza raised an eyebrow and did his best not to look, "But since when are we on a last name basis? Did I...was I that much of a bother?"

She blushed, "Oh, no! It's just-" She glanced at Irina, "I didn't want, you know, to give the wrong impression, and thought that if I was a little formal that, you know." She sighed. "I'm not the best at diplomacy either, it looks like."

The male Jedi smiled, "Perhaps not, but your honesty has always been one of the things I like most about you, Anara." He gestured to Irina, "I should introduce you two properly. Irina Farlander, this is Anara Mebos. She's an old and very close friend." She was just a friend now, but once...well, that was something to talk about in private.

Anara bowed shallowly, "Nice to meet you, Apprentice! Although, can I call you by your name instead? I don't really like all that rank stuff." She flushed, waving one hand, "It doesn't have to be your first name, I don't want to be too informal or infer that we're already friends or anything! Though it'd be nice if we were friends, but I annoy a lot of people, so I'll understand if you'd rather we weren't."

Same old Anara. Ramza patted her shoulders and stepped back, "I think I'm going to give you two a little time to talk. I...don't want my muscles to get knotted up after that, so I'm going to go and hit one of the courses."

He didn't wait for them to respond before he started moving. The truth was he wanted to get away from them. He was such an embarrassment as a man and as a Jedi, he didn't deserve to be near them just then. He would go and run through as many of the courses as he could; abuse his body to try and rebuild his strength. Strength. What strength? He'd never been strong, just arrogant to think himself that way.

He was at a jog before he was even out of the clearing; his mind going over his defeats, his constant failures, the worry he'd put on Alma and Anara, the hurt he caused Irina, and all his massive weaknesses and deficiencies.

Anara watched him go with a sigh, "He really does hate to lose." She turned back to Irina with a nervous smile, "So, uh...why don't you get comfortable and I can make us some coffee and we can talk? I do want to know about what happened, but I understand if you don't trust me with that yet. We can just go over Academy stuff, or philosophy, or whatever you like."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina watched him leave, a small sigh escaping her lips. "Yes, he really does." She turned back to the other woman, smiling a little. "If you'd like to call me Irina, you may. Being called 'apprentice' started to get old about halfway here." She made a small face. "I didn't like it much the first time."

Anara had already started to rummage around in the tent - perhaps emboldened by Irina's not telling her to get lost outright - grabbing the coffee pot and some cups. "The first time? You've been an apprentice before?" Her brow furrowed as she grabbed a bottle of water, pouring it into the pot. "Then why are you one now? I'm sorry, I'm probably getting ahead of things," she finished apologetically.

Looking at the blond, Irina sat down, watching Anara prepare the coffee before settling down as well. The motions had caused her shirt to open even more, and while Ramza might be too tactful to mention it - and it had better have been tact that did it - Irina cleared her throat. "Would, um, would you like to borrow one of my shirts?"

"Huh?" Anara looked down at herself and blushed. "Oh, I forgot that the sabers do that!" Her fingers went to the robe, tugging it closed. "No, there's no need, but thank you for the offer. I'll just fasten this silly thing and swelter until I get back to my room. Now, if you feel comfortable with it, I am very curious about what happened."

"Well, I . . ." Irina wanted to lie. But that wouldn't be an auspicious beginning to her life here. "We met on Filgaia, I was part of the Remnant's delegation." Anara's eyebrows rose, clearly surprised, but she didn't say anything, just listened intently. "We started going out together, and found that we were, um, compatible, until the last day, when the Guildmaster there was about to sign the treaties. And I, um, sort of lead a group of mercenaries into the building, with the purpose of killing Master Shahazdra."

"What?" Blinking, Anara gaped. "You were . . . and you . . . okaaaaaay." Wow. That was impressive. And ballsy.

Looking down at her hands, clasped loosely in her lap, Irina shrugged. "I didn't know Ramza was a Jedi, and he didn't know I was Sith."

The silence from the other woman was deafening, an almost visible drawing away. "You . . . so that's why Master Solusar said that." Anara studied Irina as though she were a totally new person, slowly relaxing. "Okay, well, that doesn't mean much, I guess. All of us have felt the pull of the Dark Side. Go on."

It was Irina's turn to stare slightly, amazed at the easy acceptance the other woman was giving her. "All right . . . well, we fought, and I won, but I couldn't . . . I couldn't kill him. So instead, we went to a safehouse, laying low for a while before heading here so that I could start becoming a Jedi." Her fists clenched. "On the way, I found out that my home planet - which my Master had said was destroyed - wasn't actually, you know, destroyed. So I asked to stop there, to see my family. We did, and it . . . my parents . . . my Master showed up, and I thought I was doing the right thing."

Wide violet eyes stared at her. "You . . . you gave up, didn't you? Let them take both of you."

"I didn't . . . didn't realize that he had more than one apprentice." The brunette's eyes were filled with unshed tears and pleading for understanding. "I thought it would be more even, but there were three others, and they . . . they tortured him, because I chose wrong." Her voice broke a little, and it took a lot of strength for Anara to keep from hugging her. "They tortured him to the point of death, and then healed him so they could do it again. And I had to play the good apprentice, had to have sex with one of them, while it was happening, to have a chance to get both of us out of there."

 

[Armphid]

It might not be wise, but she couldn't help herself.

Anara was on her knees beside Irina, the Amazonian blond's arms hugging the smaller woman close. "If you want to cry, you should," she said in a low voice, "I won't tell anyone and it won't upset me like it would him, okay?" She gave Irina a squeeze, smiling a little. "And don't give me any crap about it not being tough or anything. Deal with it, even if it means crying."

She might have torpedoes things with Irina, but the woman was practically asking to be hugged. "It was hard for you, I can feel it." To have to know what was happening and not be able to help, what an awful feeling! Although, did like make her have sex at gunpoint or something? That was a little confusing. "But don't live on that wrong choice, if it was wrong." She kind of thought it was, but saying that wouldn't really help right now. "It's done and it can't ever be undone. So go ahead and feel it and weep or yell or whatever and let it pass through you."

Anara gave her another squeeze. She didn't say anything for a few minutes. Then she hesitantly spoke up, "Do you want to tell me the rest? You don't have to, at least not now, anyway." She stroked one of Irina's shoulders, "I'll be around to hear more later." She blinked, then flushed, "Oh! Uh, if you want me to be, I mean. ...I should probably stop hugging now too, shouldn't I?"

~~~~~~~​

He hit the top of the wall hard, having swung up a little too high on the jungle vine before releasing it. Instead of flying over, he landed on his stomach bent over the wooden obstacle. "Guh! D-damn it!"

Ramza pulled himself up on top of the wall, his stomach burning where he'd landed. Another failure. He leaped down to land in a three point stance, inhaling deeply before he exploded into a run. Time, how much time was he taking? Don't think about it.

He sprinted toward a sheer tree trunk as wide around as he was tall and leaped up, hurling himself high with the Force. He grabbed hold of the roughened, but moisture slick bark with his fingers, grunting with effort as his feet slammed in as well to try and find the leverage to keep him there. He skidded down a foot, his fingers scrabbling to find a hold until he stuck. His breathing rough, he began to haul himself up the trunk, shoulders straining, muscles burning as the fibers within them burst, tore, and reknitted. Through torturous exertion he reached the top some fifty feet up, revealing the thing to be a massive stump.

He panted for a few moments. "Suh-so weak now," he gasped. It was terrible. Unacceptable. He got to his feet and looked for the next line...there! Ramza gathered himself, took a step and then leaped, hands reaching out. He hung in the air, hurtling forward, his fingers extended. He wasn't going to reach. He pulled with the Force, tugging the swing line into his hands as he started to fall, the cord burning his skin as he leveraged himself into the swing with a cry. Swinging and leaping from one line to another, he flew above the jungle floor.

Finally, the finish came into sight. He jumped at the high ledge, ending up short once more, grabbing on with his hands and hanging, his body slamming into the rock wall, instead of the intended landing on the ledge. For a moment, he considered just letting go and falling. Just a moment.

With a grunt, he heaved himself up, feet scrabbling on rock, until his chest touched down on the surface. Slowly, he pulled himself fully onto it. On the ledge there was a computer console. One bloodied hand reached up from below, fumbling until he struck a large button. "Course completed. Elapsed time 12 minutes 47.23 seconds. Ranking for time as follows-" Ramza hit the button again. He didn't need to know how badly he did. The time was enough. And that was the short version of the course.

He pulled himself to a sitting position, leaning against the console. How could he have fallen so far behind? Was he ever good at anything? He held up his hands, bloodied and friction burned on the palms. He closed them, wincing at the pain, but liking it. The pain was honest. The pain told him his failings. Pain was weakness leaving the body. He had a lot more pain coming then. He was so weak now. Of course, he knew he'd been weak before now. Too weak. He'd been such an ass, so arrogant, to think he was any good at any of it.

He had to get better. Stronger. Had to. He got to his feet, his body aching. "Reset the course and timer, reverse track."

There was a bleep, then a chime. "This course is meant for participants and observers. No observers or assistance is detected in the area. Proceeding is extremely hazardous."

"Override, Orlandau Tango Sierra Leo"

"Override confirmed. Time starts in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, mark."

~~~~~~~​

"You did what?" Jakara stared a moment and then glared, "What were you thinking?"

Kam Solusar looked back at the fierce redhead with his hard eyes, "He's been coddled enough. He needs to be challenged now, to be pushed. That's what I'm doing."

Tionne looked worried, "But he's fragile now, Kam." She loved her husband, but he went too far sometimes. "What if he breaks? He's not gotten very far from the trauma."

Kam snorted, "If he breaks...then he shouldn't have been here to begin with. This isn't an easy life."

"You unfeeling bastard!" Jakara seethed, "You've read the reports on what was done to him, Kam. How can you pretend that he should just be able to bounce back from that?"

"He's a Jedi." Kam returned the other woman's glare with equal vigor. "Something like this has always been a risk, it will always be a risk. If he can't handle it, then it's better we know it now than later when we've given him an important task, hoping it'll help pull him together."

"He's a living thing, not your idealized concept of what it is to be a Jedi." Jakara glowered, "If you damage him further with this macho, tough-love nonsense, I swear I will damage you."

"Hmp. You'll try."

"Enough!" Both Jakara and Kam pulled back as Tionne stood up, a frown on her face. "That's more than enough, listen to you two! Are you Jedi Masters or should I pencil you in with the other children for my classes?" Neither of the others looked repentant, but they did not speak either. "Now, we are going to sit down and discuss this reasonably. And we will work out a plan that we are all satisfied with."

Kam tugged at the high collar of his robes, "I already-"

"That we are all satisfied with," Tionne said again, fixing her husband with a firm look.

"...Hmp."

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina blinked, a little surprised. "It's . . . I'm not going to cry," she said firmly. "I've cried so much over this already . . . too many tears from Ramza and I both." But then there was silence from both of them, but Anara wasn't letting go. Then, hesitantly, she asked if Irina wanted to tell her the rest, and stammered her way through an offer of being around if Irina needed help or wanted to talk. And then . . . "You could stop hugging, yes. I appreciate the feeling, but it's easier to talk without being hugged."

Anara let go and settled back, pouring the coffee into cups. "I'm sorry, I just . . . you looked so sad, I couldn't help it." Looking at the brunette, she smiled a little. "So, did you want to talk more, or should I get lost?"

Irina sighed. "I can tell you the rest now. It doesn't come off any better, really." She sipped her coffee, rubbed a hand over her hair. "I got the chance to break free, and was going to get Ramza and my sister out of there. I went to my room, and found one of the other apprentices dead, so I . . . I took her light saber and went to confront my Master and the other apprentice. But Ramza and my sister were gone."

"Your sister was there?" Gods, what a mess.

"Yes, my Master had taken her, to ensure that my parents would . . . would turn us in when we got there." Looking down at the grass beneath her, Irina shook her head. "Anyway. I confronted the other apprentice, and beat her. Ramza showed up, and together, we defeated my Master." She paused for a moment, swallowed hard. "He had saved my sister, and she kissed him, really kissed him, you know?" Anara nodded, her face serious and pale. "But then the ship had been rigged with explosives, so we made sure the crew got off safely, and Ramza did the best he could landing what was left of the cruiser on a planet." Another sip of coffee, and she tried - and failed - to hide how much her hand shook. "After . . . we said some terrible, hurtful things to each other. I think we both went mad for a while."

Anara nodded again, her hands curved around the cup. "That sort of thing can . . . can bring out the worst in people." It was still hard to believe, this whole mess. No wonder Ramza had done so poorly against Master Solusar. He'd been abused so much, and then to have a fight with someone he was in love with . . . what a nightmare.

"After they picked us up," Irina went on like the other woman hadn't spoken, "it wasn't any better. I knew . . . I knew I had ruined things for him - his whole life had been almost destroyed because of me. So I was going to kill myself, but then Master Skywalker and Master Shahazdra mediated, and things got better." A barely-there smile played on her lips. "We're still working on us, but we're doing . . . all right." She could feel him out there, angry at himself and feeling self-loathing. "I should go find him soon. He's . . . feeling bad because of what happened today."

 

[Armphid]

Anara reached out and took the cup out of Irina's hands, then took them in her own. "You didn't ruin his whole life. 'Cause, you know, it's not over yet." She gave the former Sith's hands a gentle squeeze. "All it means is from here, you make it as good as you can." She paused, "I know that I'm kind of a ditz and it doesn't matter much to you, I'm sure, but...you suit him. And you did save him, and he saved you. And that's worth more than both of you realize right now, I think."

She then stood up, "Go get him." Anara smiled, "I'd really like to talk more and share juicy Ramza stories and get to know you, but that can wait. Go and find him." She made sure her robe was closed, "Ugh, the jungle's smothering me already. Anyway, I'm going to go and change. I'll give you guys, umm...is two hours good? Three? Three. Then I'll come back and bring Alma and your sister with me and we'll have dinner!" They both needed to feel loved right now. So she'd make them! "See you then!" She waved and walked out of the clearing heading in the direction of the temple.

"Oh!" She called back, now out of sight, "When you get to where he is, look up if you don't see him right away!"

 

[HookerBoots]

Irina stood up, brushing a stray hair from her face. Even if she didn't know the planet as well as she could, it still wouldn't be hard to find him. So she started off through the jungle, taking the most direct route she could.

It wasn't perfect - there were trees that looked to be centuries old to detour around, as well as nests of animals tangles of near-impenetrable vegetation. Thankfully, however, after detouring a little, she ran into a well-worn but narrow path. Since it headed in the way she was going, Irina decided to follow it.

Suddenly, the path opened up to a series of obstacle courses, one starting directly in front of her. She could see the climbing wall, a series of vines and hurdles leading into the forest. She could feel Ramza drawing closer and a high speed, so she looked around, finding what was probably the computer terminal that timed the runs - her Master had set these up on his estate. Sitting down next to the machine, Irina waited for him to finish his run. He wouldn't be happy if she interrupted.

Within a few minutes, he crested the wooden wall, jumping down and landing in a three-point stance, starting a dash for the machine. He almost collapsed onto the console, smacking a button on it. A voice spoke from the machine: "Course completed. Elapsed time 12 minutes, 25 seconds. Ranking for time -" Irina's hand reached up and hit the button. There was no need.

Slowly, she turned to look at him, her breath catching. "Ramza, love. Come with me."

He didn't look up, just looked down at his hands braced on the console. "I couldn't do better. I can't . . . can't I be better than this pitiful thing?"

Irina wrapped an arm around his shoulders, guiding him up and away from the machine. "Yes. You can. But you need to rest, love." She helped him from the clearing down the path. "Come on, Ramza. We'll get cleaned up, and then we'll finish what I wanted to start before Master Solusar showed up."

 

[Armphid]

Ramza was grateful for Irina's appearance and her helping him, but at the same time he felt aggravated. He shouldn't need her help. She shouldn't offer it, he wasn't worthy of it. If he couldn't make himself succeed when he was weary and tired, he couldn't be depended on. He'd weaken and fail when she needed him, in the critical moment. That's what this proved.

"..You don't have to." He glanced over at her, then looked down and sighed. "You don't have to, you know, do that with me. After today...I can't imagine it's a very alluring prospect." He shook his head, "Our strength, our skill, that was what attracted us to each other in the first place. But I've lost mine, if I ever actually had it. I just tricked you, tricked myself."

The dark haired Jedi's eyes were haunted and bitter, his skin slick with sweat was cool as it wicked heat away. "I feel so...I'm just pathetic. Your master was right about me. I'm weak. I can't believe I didn't see it until now. How did I get so far when this is all I'm capable of?" His master and his friends had carried him, that's how.

"I'm sorry. About a lot of things. But it's wrong of me to go on like this. On your first day here, we should be talking about you." He sighed. Weak there too. "Did you talk to Anara at all? What do you think of her?"