Drifting into Darkness (Apollus)

[Skye Connan]

48 Standard Hours Ago

:: Datalog ::
Entry No. 1

It’s weird. I know I should be happy to be leaving the Compound, maybe even more that happy. I just don’ get it; it could be only in my mind but it seems the further I travel away from the Compound the more uneasy I feel.

I think my feelings may be because I am leaving a place that is filled with a great amount of power and energy. Almost never in my life have I felt something so. . .eerie. It’s not quite a skin crawling sensation but so far it has been enough to make my stomach churn.

Hopefully over the time that we have left until Corellia will be enough to make, whatever it is I am feeling, go away. I want to enjoy this time away as much as possible.

The way I feel right now makes me glad that he is coming with me.

:: End Datalog ::

Present

Exited didn’t even come close to describing how Skye felt as she heard the whirling of the unlocking door before her. A squeak of sheer joy escaped her lips as the door popped open. Without hesitation, Skye dragged her black luggage bag into the relatively large place where they would be living for the next little while.

Her mouth nearly fell open in surprise, the supposed hotel room had turned into a small sized apartment. There was a limited living area with a leather cream colored couch and two identical chairs across a darkly finished coffee table that was connected to a tiny kitchenette. Peering down the hallway across from the living area, she saw three more doors were obviously a bathroom and two separate bedrooms.

Skye dropped her bag next to the counter that boarder the kitchenette before turning back to Mr. Alexei in the doorway. She smiled brightly at him as she flicked on the lamp that rested in the corner of the living area.

“Hey, Tough Guy, will you be able to stand being my roomate for the next little while?"

[Apollus Alexei]

Oh this could not be right. He thought as he got an eyefull of the apartment. All he carried on his shoulder was a blacken duffel bag, more than likely underpacked. He set it down on the couch as he surveyed the dark table. He had one like that at home, he remembered, or what was home for him so long ago.

"Yeah, just fine with it." He said and continued to look around. To be honest, the only difference between the apartment and the Sith Compound was now they'd be sharing the quarters. He was no stranger to her at all. "I think the real question is whether or not you'll be ok with living so close to me. Guys tend to be messier, remember?"

OOC: Sorry about the delay, I don't get an email for private messages on this account so I never really knew the thread was up... I'm going to have to fix that.

[Skye Connan]

She laughed but not on the outside; she was shaking with amusement on the inside. It was true though, the guys she had seen in the past her all the messy short. She never really lived with a male roommate but she had lived with several male inmates; always making obscene gestures at her as she went around to her every day activities. But, thank the force, never in the same cell. Who knows what would have happened if it had been that way.

Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes jokingly at Apollus. “Ha! I’m no a push over, sir.” She wagged her index finger at him as if she was scolding a young child. “I’ve put up with much worse than you.”

Skye put a hand on her hip, to make the act look more real. She picked her abandoned bag up from the floor before heading off down the hall toward the rooms. Her voice floated back out into the living area. “Oh, Apollus! If you make me play maid to you, I will personal beat you.” He could hear her laughter echo off the walls of the hallway.

[Apollus Alexei]

She had been spending more time training with the Sith than he had, maybe she really could.

Beneath her laughter he said, "Ha, bring it."

"I hardly think you'll be spending much time here to messy the place."

Apollus sneered at the sound of the woman's voice that had plagued him since he first realized his Force sensitivity. No, Skye was in her room; he hardly found her to be anything akin to a plague. He didn't even look up from his bag which he was sorting through when he noticed her reflection in the table the moment after he heard her voice.

"Um, Skye." He called casually to her room. "There was a store outside the hotel that I saw, I'm gonna go check it out. I'll be back in fifteen."

He walked directly for the door before Skye could ask any questions. Lately he had found that he had to literally speak to this figment that appeared from time to time. Since she began appearing to him, he always assumed she was within his mind and therefore he assumed that logically he should be able to communicate with her through mental dialogue. This assumption proved to be false. Anything conversation he held with her, anyone in the area could easily pick up one side.

[Skye Connan]

Skye had already onto jumped the small comfortable bed in her room like a child just getting their own room for the first time by the time Apollus’ voice reached her ears. She called something resembling the word ‘alright’ but she doubted Apollus could hear her through the stuffing of the pillows on her bed. She sighed contently as she relaxed into the softness of the bed beneath her.

Time passed by and she just lay there contently; and for a rare moment, without a care in the universe. Reluctantly, she made a move to stand up; if she stayed lying there any longer she knew she would never want to get back up. Groaning, Skye made her way to her bag she threw onto the floor at the foot of her bed. Changing clothes sounded like a grand idea, after all, they had been stuck in a shuttle for only the god’s knew how long. . .

What seemed to only be a few minutes later, Skye sat on a lounge chair with her datapad in hand, propped up against the side railing of the patio branching off from living area. She smiled slightly as she leaned her head back into to cushioned chair; the cozy sunlight accenting fading red highlights in her dark hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.

She closed her lazily closed her eye’s, who knew a pair of dark loose fitting jeans, a simple maroon tank top, and a warm face washing could make someone feel so at home.

[Apollus Alexei]

Apollus looked around into a small lobby area on their floor of the hotel, inside were two chairs and a coffee table that resembled the set in the room.

"What the frell do you want?" He asked sharply, clenching his teeth.

"Oh, just to talk." She replied completely ignorant of of his demeanor.

''About what?" He wasn't calming down.

"How have you been?"

"Cut to the chase." He took a seat in one of the chairs frustrated and tired of her repetitive appearances in his life.

"I'm just trying to be nice. Have a little courtesy." She waited for him to respond but gave up after a few seconds. "So how is Skye?"

"Just fine."

"Well things are going to get a little rocky soon, I just thought you wanted to know. She's got some issues with her past, you know. Unresolved issues."

"We've talked about it." Apollus shifted in the chair so he couldn't see her anymore.

She responded by walking right in front of his line of vision. "I know, I was there. I think you've got the general gist of it, but I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation, Apollus. There's a storm on the horizon and you're out to sea." She walked back out of his vision.

"Right. And what do you propose I do?" He asked and after a second of no response he looked to see where she went. Gone as quick as she came. "... the frell?"

Apollus tried to conceal his emotion as he re-entered the room, wishing to plow his fist into the door's control panel. Instead he hastily ordered the door shut, Skye careened to watch him enter.

"Hey." He mumbled.

[Skye Connan]

:: Datalog::
Entry No. 2

It’s so beautiful here. I can’t explain it. The sun, the sky, the buildings, the people, and the feeling of this place is so . . . soothing, if that even makes sense. Being here now on Corellia is defiantly different than the last time we were here. Taking the time to actually appreciate the city CoroNet creates a whole new perspective of this place. I never got the chance to realize it last time.

I could live like this, I really could. Spending my evenings sitting out and the afternoon slowly fade into dusk or laying out to watch the stars, letting the night breeze gently twist and knot my hair, and honestly I wouldn’t care about that. I’d give anything for a life like that.

But wasting my time fantasizing about a near impossible future is pointless. As of now, I’ll just enjoy this perfect place while I can. Unfortunately, the feeling of just sitting here in the sunlight is as perfect as it will get.

Only if it could last forever.

::End Datalog::

The data pad made a soft ‘thump’ as Skye dropped it softly on the small wooden tray table next in between the two lounge chairs. She turned her gaze outward again, she loved watching the sun go down. It couldn’t be explained but the sight always seemed to calm her senses and reassured her of a new beginning.

Beautiful. . . was the only thing that Skye could think of as she watched the sun turn from its golden form to its liquid orange. She was so hypnotized, that the sound of the door opening never reached her ears. The thing that really brought her back from her wonderland was the harsh slamming of the door as it was closed.

Skye straitened up and leaned forward in her seat to see Apollus back from…the store, was it? She waved for him to join her before leaning back in her chair.

“You’re missing one of the most beautiful things in the galaxy, Apollus.” She called to him before adding with a grin. “Oh, and I don’t mean me.”

[Apollus Alexei]

He smiled a little and sat down next to her. "There more beautiful than you, huh?"

The shades of orange and red had tinted half the room, his eyes followed the streams of color to the window where the origin lie. The sunset was soothing and helped to convince him to let go of the omen the imaginary woman left behind. It was nice to simply relax and soak in the scenery, especially with Skye close by.

"Yeah, it is nice, isn't it." He glanced at her for an extended moment and smiled.

[Embit Connan]

“Why are you here?! We’re through! Frelling hell, Connan, I told you that we were finished with business a long, long time ago.”

“What makes you so sure that I’m here on business, Rogen? Maybe I just wanted to visit an old friend.”

“Oh, Please! Don’t pull that crap with me. I know you, Embit, you’re business and only business. Nothing will ever change that.”

“Hmm, so you finally figured me out. I’m impressed, Rogen, it only took you a few years.”

“Enough, I told you that we’re through. I want you out of here!”

“Come on. I have a good little wench this time, I prom…”

“No! Connan, you just don’t get it. I swore I’d stop doing business with you. After you scammed me last time, you screwed yourself over.”

“I know what I did last time was unforgivable but nonetheless I have brought a better one this time, I swear.”

“What’d you mean?”

“I have the younger one.”

“T-the younger one? You never said you had two.”

“Ha! I had three at one point, but the elder sister and the only brother are dead. The only one left is the middle child. If I made you an offer would you want her?”

“I…I do have an employer in search of a servant. Is she worth it?”

“Of course. The hell I put her through is far worse than anyone could ever imagine. She is quite obedient and rarely speaks against a master.”

“Alright, Connan. You have a deal, I’ll take her but I want you gone. Leave the girl here and be gone.”

“With pleasure, Rogen.”

“Before you leave, tell me. . .what was the boy’s name?”

“I-It was too long ago, I don’t remember.”

“What about the oldest girl?”

“. . .”

“Embit…?”

“…Her name…was Skye…”

[Skye Connan]

“I love sunsets. They make me forget everything bad that has happened. They seem to give me hope. I know that sounds silly but still, I believe that they have that power.”

She grew a little red with embarrassment; it was secret that she had always kept to herself. She immediately fell in love the first time she saw a sunset disappear behind the on going desert of Tatoonine. It was probably her only fond memory of that sand covered planet. At least it was a good one.

Her half lidded eyes slowly began to drift away from the warm glowing colors of the sunset and rest on Apollus next to her. She studied his face. He had nice, soft features; there was nothing harsh or evil about him. He was nothing like the men she had seen as of late. It struck her as odd that someone so gently looking would be mixed up with the Sith. Why she didn’t realize it earlier, she didn’t know.

“Not to be nosey or anything but you are the only person that I have been around for this long and yet I don’t know anything about you. Like where you lived before all this or what your childhood was like. The truth is that I want to know you better, Apollus.”

[Apollus Alexei]

He let a loose smile spread across his face. "I'm flattered." He said semi-jokingly. To be truthful, he really was flattered she took an interest in him. The gears and sprokets turned in his head as he formulated a way to talk a little about himself without delving into the grusome details that crashed into it before he met Sudoku.

"Well, I guess I'm kind of an average guy. My parents weren't exactly rich, but we weren't poor either." Those words about his parents slipped out too easily, since they passed away he never thought it would be easy to talk about them ever again. For a moment, he feared he'd learned to forget. It was an incorrect assumption, he had not forgotten, but rather he sat close with someone who comforted him. He felt he could talk to her.

"My dad was a cook, my mom taught Imperial history to kids. I was the eldest of four boys. Before Sudoku, I was in an apprenticeship with a literature teacher and I planned on going to school so I could teach too. I guess I was kind of a bookworm." He smiled a little. It'd been so long since he indulged in a great written work.

"I played Limmie, or bolo-ball depending on where you're from. So I'm not a complete nerd, you know. For the most part I spent most of my life on Commenor, in a suburb of Chasin City." He thought for a moment about the overview he gave. It was nothing like what he had learned about Skye, as he could recall she had a rather rough life, up to even this point. For him, troubles of great magnitude were only recent. How could he even compare to her story.

"Pretty normal for the most part I guess.'' He finished, but figured she would soon ask how he got involved with Sudoku. He would leave it to her to ask instead of share on his own.

[Skye Connan]

A small ‘heh’ escaped her lips as he mentioned Limmie. Of course she had heard of the game; she remembered way back when, spending several occasions watching children roughly her age pretending to be their favorite players. “I know the sport, Limmie. I remember it was a really big thing on my home-planet. Before my mom passed away my father took me to see a game of our own Ralltiir team. It was one of the best days of my life.”

It was the truth, Skye could remember that day like it was yesterday. The smells, the people, the noise, and even her father. He wasn’t nearly as frightening back then, but of course he didn’t turn into a monster until a few years later.

She had to giggle when Apollus commented on not being a bookworm, well total bookworm. Although he really didn’t strike her as a book reading kind of guy. But then again, nothing is what it seems. She shifted her legs over and continued to gaze at Apollus.

“If you like to read, you would have like my mother. She was a writer and apparently a good one. I heard from random people about my mom’s books; I never had a chance to read any one of them and I will never get a chance too. Her novels were good but not popular enough to leave Ralltiir.”

She pause a moment, before rubbing her arm dumbly. “Enough of my rambling, I want to know more about you since you know quite a bit about me.” She thought for a second to think of a question. She had something that had been bugging her for a while. It just seemed strange that the whole time the both of them had been with the Sith she had never seen Apollus use the Force. It just seemed odd to her. . .

“Um, I know this is a sore subject for me and it might be for you too, but all the time I’ve spent with you I have never seen you use the Force. I was just wondering if something happened that has prevented you from using it.” She went quiet before continuing. “Of course, you don’t have to tell me if you do not want too.”

[Apollus Alexei]

To face such a question, even to the point of forming an allaby, Apollus had not done. With time gone past, the truth never erased itself and was never easy to swallow. He had his opinions of the Force, but he was afraid those opinions might alienate Skye. He cleared his throat, "No, I think I should say something. As being fair to you."

"Remember how we talked about Sith and Jedi, what's good and what's bad?" He recalled the Sith cafeteria and the conversation they had. "I want to be responsible with the Force. And by that I mean, I mean that if I use it, or open to it, it commits me to something. I feels like I'll become committed to a cause that I don't understand."

Now he was in the very situation he wished to avoid. "Not that I disagree with your choices." He tried to clarify as he had seen her training with the Sith and taking to the Force quite strongly. "I'm bad at decisions, when it gets down to it."

It was as if there was a veil of mist between the truth and what Skye could see. Really, he hadn't lied to her but only gave an incredibly vague description of the situation. Whereas he believed she was looking for a point of origin in which this opinion developed, he gave her an answer, though, not the one she expected. It was no foul done, right?

OOC: So school has started up for me again this year and its quite a busy schedule. I'm trimming some of the treads I'm involved with, but I like this one so I'd like to keep it up and I'll try to get back to a once a day posting plan for this thread. So if I get slow, its because of school but I don't expect I'll cease to post or anything :)

[Skye Connan]

Skye nodded curtly, it was an answer but it defiantly wasn’t the one she had in mind. But what could she say? It must be a rough subject for him to talk about. She knew the limits in this field and she wouldn’t push it. She would wait until he was ready to talk about it. There was no rush in this matter.

“Apollus, everyone has something they aren’t so good at. Just look at me . . . I’m not the best at keeping myself together.” She stated simply. Taking her eyes off Apollus she gazed out again, the sun almost set beyond the city limits. Only blood soaked red rays flowed over the buildings and cast themselves on the walls of the room.

A sigh left her as she watched the sun fade further. Feeling like lightening the mood she stood, it really wasn’t all that late yet and she was tired of sitting around. Being cramped up in a shuttle from the Sith Compound to Corellia wasn’t exactly her idea of a fun time. She let of a quiet groan as she arched her back in a much needed stretch.

“Alright! I won’t plague you with any more of my questions. Well, for now anyway.” She stuck her tongue out jokingly before she gave Apollus a playful push as she skipped by him. “Hopefully the night life in the city is as exciting as the rumor’s say.”

[Apollus Alexei]

He was suprised, she wasn't going to pry afterall. On one hand he was relieved, on the other it spoke volumes about her. She wasn't chasing gossip nor was she trying to play judge. A wave of regret overcame him as he wished he'd told the complete truth to her. He should have trusted her.

She seemed to be able to dismiss the subject easily enough as she skipped up and prepared to take the city by night. Apollus, on the other hand, could not shake the conversation from his mind. "Hopefully." He said with mild sincerity.

"I'll meet you here in a few, I think I'm gonna change." He said over his shoulder as he headed to his room. Maybe a night out would ease things a little, perhaps he could talk later that night after a couple tall glasses of liquid courage.

[Skye Connan]

“Well, while you’re doing that, I’ll be in here being the high maintenance girl I am.” She uttered sarcastically as she followed him down the hallway but breaking off at the first door. She entered the ‘fresher swiftly and stopped in front of an oblong mirror that stretched over her entire arm’s length.

It had been a while since she actually took a good look at herself in a mirror. To be honest she was quite surprised, she didn’t look like she remembered. She was . . . older; definitely not the skinny, dirt ridden runaway teenager she once was. But instead a healthy, unsoiled young adult.

Her dark eye’s had sharpened; leaving her childhood innocence behind. While the skin around her features had mellowed out completely, all the ‘baby fat’, as some call it, was gone. Her chocolate brown hair had grown longer than she thought, maybe a bit too long for her taste. Aside from her waterfall of hair, she took note that whole body had filled out; lean legs and arms, firm set shoulders. Although she still was a bit on the scrawny side from years of being alone in the streets.

She let her gaze travel over her figure in the mirror, noticing new and different things she went . . . but also taking in the old things. Her eye’s came to a halt as she reached her shoulder, a souvenir from the last time she was on Corellia. The wound had faded a long time ago but its scar remained; it was nothing more than a thin blister of puffed up skin. A burn that would probably continue to heal.

Her hand found its way to the scar running her fingers over it gently; the wound was still sensitive. She looked down at her hand as she rest in on her shoulder. It was the same shoulder that she had been branded on.

121525

It was the number she had been; it was tattooed in black ink on the back of her shoulder blade. She smiled sadly down at her scar before muttering quietly to herself. “Another painful memory.” Though she wasn’t referring to the wound.

[Embit Connan]

The chimes of CoroNet’s tower rung again; as long as he could remember they rang for every hour day or night; this time seven chimes. It was starting to get late though closing time wouldn’t come from another hour. It’d had been a normal day, the usual opening time, the usual costumers with the exceptions of some tourists, the usual happened. Day, after day, after day the same thing’s happened. It had become quite boring.

Rogen Galent had heard these chimes all too many times. He had been on this planet for far too long, nothing new or exciting happened. Well, except for last night when his old business partner showed up for a ‘visit’. He had a proposition for him and with a heavy heart he accepted it. Rogen was relieved now because unlike last time, Embit actually came through, the girl he had promised had been dropped off later that night. The girl was no more than fifteen years old, but now, for better or for worse she was already off the planet to her new master.

Saddening as it may seem, Rogen had no regrets, it was just business. In slave trading there is no emotion or feeling for the poor things that came in. It was just money, reputation, and instinct. Galent had been in the business for over two decades, being the mastermind behind such trades became tiring though. It was not too long ago when Rogen decided to back down. He was getting older each passing day and he had well over enough money to keep him rich the rest of his life. Nobody can stay in the same business forever.

As for now, Rogen ran a salvage shop along the main drag of CoroNet. It wasn’t anything big, but it gave a reasonable profit. The perfect cover up for someone of his standard. He only appeared to be a middle class citizen of CoroNet who made a decent living.

His fingers drummed on the glass display case of which he leaned on. Tonight was different than most nights, it was quiet for once. No costumers, no gangs roaming the streets, no obnoxiously loud partiers; which meant only one thing for Rogen…no reason to still be at work. He pushed himself up from the counter and with a small smile began to close up. There was no harm in closing a bit early tonight, after all a hard working guy like him deserved to have a little fun too.

[Apollus Alexei]

The repetitive thumb of electronica music pulsed through the club as Apollus pushed his way though the dancing masses with the utmost carefullness not to spill the red-orange liquid contained in the hollow cone-shaped glasses he held in each hand.

"Excuse me!" He retorted to the Twi'lek's ignorant motions. Who knew how often those aliens washed themselves, the last thing he wanted was to sip his mixed drink with a twist of sweaty headtail.

Over a few shoulders and heads he found that Skye had snatched a table in the crowded room. "Come on, give some room people." He made a general statement but really directed towards the Gotal in his way. She, or maybe he, moved with a scowl and with a sigh he set down a drink at the final destination.

As if it wasn't apparent Skye was with him, the small group of human males vying for her exclusive attention failed to leave. "She's with me, guys." He said and took his seat across from her.

"That is, unless you'd prefer their company." He smiled a tad and slid the drink carefully across the table. "And after much trial and tribulation, your drink."

[Skye Connan]

Relief poured into her every vein when he came back with their drinks. She gave a smile of thanks, not only for the drink but getting rid of the other ‘guys’. She took her drink that he slid toward her. It was probable that she wouldn’t even finish the only thing; Skye wasn’t a big drinker.

“I think one of those guys was old enough to be my grandfather.” An ice cold sensation crawled down her spine and she visibly shivered. It wasn’t cold, not nearly, especially in a place like this; the air was hot and humid from the strobe lights and dancing bodies from the next room over. But it was more of a shiver of disgust, towards the other males in the proximity.

Skye watched her drink ripple in her glass; the pulsations from the club beat in an enticing rhythm. The reddish liquid was doing a dance of its own, her lips turned upward slightly at the corners as she thought it. She unconsciously let her fingers circle the lip at the top of her glass as she turned her eyes to the party-goers in the other room.

“Honestly you don’t know how grateful I am. I’d much rather hang around you than anyone else here.” She stated before boldly taking a sip of the fiery liquid.

[Apollus Alexei]

"I'm flattered." He smiled and followed suit with a large sip of the drink. "And you're certainly the prettiest girl here. No combination better than we two, huh?"

Apollus watched as two human men walked by, both bickering over something and slightly drunk. His eyes followed them as they walked past until an employee of the club past them in the opposite direction, drawing his vision. He never really liked clubs for the dancing or even the drinks so much, 'people watching' as he'd heard it called, was what he enjoyed. He turned back to Skye, he didn't want to be rude and not pay attention to her return.

[Skye Connan]

Thank the heavens that the lights of the club were dimmed, otherwise Apollus would have seen Skye turn a very bright shade of red. He made what he said so natural, not flirty in any way. The way it came out was as if it was just part of the conversation but nonetheless it made her blush, and pretty badly at that.

Her hand found its way to the back at her neck as she tried to come up with a witty answer, something that would sound like she was unfazed by what he had said. She took a chance and glanced at Apollus before quickly shifting her gaze toward the crowd of dancers in the connecting room. Her hand rubbed her neck awkwardly, her mind still battling over what say in return.

She hestitated as she thought it was funny how she was obsessing on a supposedly simple answer. She truly had never been in a situation quite like this; although deep down Skye knew that she really like the attention Apollus gave her.

Bringing herself back to reality; she finally looked directly in Apollus’ eyes before moving uncomfortably in her seat. She smiled cutely at him; almost childish.

“We are quite the pair.” She agreed with him giggling a bit more than intended or wanted. “Who knew we would get along so well, especially with our opposite backgrounds.”

[Apollus Alexei]

Backgrounds That one little detail he had failed to really be clear with in this relationship. Although, it was apparent that their backgrounds were quite opposite even with what he had said already. She'd been open about her dark side, he had failed to acknowledged he even had one.

Behind a slight smile he concealed his thoughts bantering back and forth. "True." He said. "But you're easy to get along with."

[Skye Connan]

Skye beamed brightly at her companion across the small round table. It was nice to hear something like that from a person that she enjoyed being around so much. Whether he knew it or not she was at her happiest when ever she was around him . . . something which may contribute to the fact that she was so easy to get a long with. One day if she conjured up enough courage maybe she would tell him that herself, but for the time being she would keep it a secret.

Rather reluctantly Skye took another small sip of her fire colored drink; hiding a wince as it burned its way down her throat. She never had a real good tolerance for alcohol, it never helped her but then again it never directly harmed her either. But taste was enough to make her turn the other way; it proved her to be a mild drinker if a drinker at all.

Her glass made a small clink as it connected gently with the table. She never would have noticed if the music in the next room had not faded. It was amazing how quiet the club actually was without the pulsing beats of the music; but as soon as the silence began it ended and a new song echoed through the air.

Skye couldn’t help but grin; now this was her kind of music; a deep pulsing beat that has a constant rhythm, making it easy to move to. She swayed a bit in her seat before sliding off her stool; moving passed Apollus but stopping before the next room. Her grin still plastered on her face she turned and motioned back for Apollus to join her. The strobe lights were already lighting her movements like an old holocast projector.

“I wonder if I’m just as easy to dance with.” She teased before taking a few backward steps into the crowd of dancing bodies.

[Apollus Alexei]

"I don't know, but I think I'm going to find out." He said, though not necessarily to anyone.

Like the tide pulls a grain of sand into the vast ocean, Skye had disappeared into the dancing horde before he could reach her. Was she still teasing him, testing to know if he'd still follow? His eyes danced from face to face looking for the one that had been so familiar to him since the fateful rendezvous with Kyashi. He began to fear he had lost her, perhaps she had-

"-found someone else who met her fancy?"

No, it was not this particular familiar face he was looking for in the crowd. He ignored her with only an abbreviated glance her way. Perhaps he merely heard her voice, rather than saw her. Maybe she wasn't going to plague him in this dire moment. He wanted to find Skye more than anything now, not deal with ficticious women whose goal was to torment him.

"Don't be impudent, Apollus. Look at me." She said and seemed to drift right into his path. She held a large humanoid-alien close to her body as they met the beat together yet she did not return the attention he was paying her.

"Now, if you desire a satisfactory ending to the night you're going to need to get in there. There's no sense in dallying around when you've lost her."

What was the point of that? Apollus could hardly see any reason behind the latest appearance of his imaginary friend other than to torment him. That damned woman had no purpose other than that, he was convinced. No reason but to-

"There you are..." He smiled as he realized Skye was standing within meters of him the whole time. He found the rhythm of the song and matched her, placing his hands on her swaying hips and pulling her close. For Apollus now, life was wonderful.

[Skye Connan]

Her coy smile was the only thing covering the butterflies that had formed in her stomach when his warm hands found her hips. She managed to keep herself moving to the beat of the music but it was robotic; just the feeling of his gentle hands on her waist was . . . overwhelming. Being so close to Apollus in such a limited space felt incredibly good; it was enough to make her heart race.

In turn, Skye forced her nerves to calm; making her regain her composure . . . although the task wasn’t that easy when her body was pulled closer by Apollus. After taking a few deep breaths it didn’t take long before she was dancing in sync with her partner’s movements. They swayed in time to the beat of the pounding music; her motions were back to normal and once again she was comfortable.

Never before had she noticed how small she seemed next to Apollus. Naturally she wasn’t a very tall person; her eye level was as far up as Apollus’ shoulders at most, next to him she felt like a child again. Both of their bodies seemed to correspond with each other. Skye found herself getting closer to Apollus as more dancers filed onto the already crowded floor. Not that she minded, of course! The closer they got the more she noticed that her smaller frame fit well into his larger one, it was surprising to say the least.

Her hands dance up from her sides and follow his forearms before her fingers dusted over his shoulders and down. Slender, icy hands pressed against his abdomen as the beat slowed. Timidly she leaned forward so her forehead was against his chest. Skye contently closed her eyes; she could feel his heart beat and it truly was the calmest thing she had ever experienced. She was happy, sincerely happy.

[Apollus Alexei]

She leaned closer into his body though he could not tell whether it was his or her doing. It didn't matter, concern for it drifted from his mind as he enjoyed her close presence. Perhaps it was an effect of the Force that he seemed to feel her existance through to his core. Her tantalizing being had him fixed on her as they continued to move to the music.

As her head leaned into his chest and his hands slid up to hold her rhythmically moving shoulders he realized he wanted to kiss her. But what would she think? Maybe she wanted him to, but what if she didn't? Confusion and indecision swept over him like lightning jumping between clouds. No, he knew what he wanted, it was her.

Her head lifted slightly and he longed to see her eyes, finally they met his. He held her as if she might slip away from in the current of bodies surrounding them. Seizing the moment, he pressed his lips against hers and waited an eternal second for what came next.

[Skye Connan]

In books and movies it is common knowledge that if you kiss that one special person you can feel the little spark of magic between you and that one person. But for Skye it wasn’t just a spark; it was more of a wild fire, burning heavily ablaze, tearing through her body starting from the pit of her stomach and spreading swiftly to the farthest reaches of her limbs. It was absolutely amazing, her first kiss taken by the one person she knew she wanted. . .

She wanted Apollus; the realization hit her hard. She had wanted him to kiss her. More than anything, she wanted Apollus to want her back; now she knew he did. Skye was overwhelmed with excitement, there was nothing to compare to how she felt.

Skye found herself lost in him; him touching her was enough to make her stomach knot; she almost didn’t notice her own hands raising to lace tightly together behind his neck. She didn’t hesitate for even a mere moment; she kissed him back; not forcefully like she thought of doing but gently, a soft kiss one could say. It was perfect

Half lidded eyes opened as she barely pulled away; her heart was pounding loudly in her chest. It seemed to match the music.

“. . .wow. . .” She whispered breathlessly as she found his eyes again. She never would have thought an innocent kiss would leave her feeling like this.

[Apollus Alexei]

He should have seen it coming, he felt like he'd been sucker punched. For a moment at last, the feelings he kept for her had broken the flood gate and surged across him. In a daze he smiled slightly and stared into her eyes.

"Wow." He responded. He wanted to say more, his mind was already trying to explain the kiss and for an unknown reason he felt compelled to explain to her his feelings. No, she knew and so did he. The kiss said it all and there was no need to saturate it with words.

He held her hand in his firmly, he couldn't believe he could let go of her. The music bantered on as the ocean around them churned without notice to them. He felt stifled in the room now, he felt like the current of bodies was subdueing their radience.

He spied an open air patio in the back and said, "Lets go outside for a bit." In the air was where he wanted to be, just so he could feel her without the inhibiting effect of the dance floor.

[Embit Connan]

He had been there barely an hour and already the lights were blending into on massive blur. A fifth shot glass joined the other four on the glossy bar counter as Rogen carelessly gazed out at the swaying crowd of dancers. The thought of participating had come to his mind more than once, although he didn’t think he’d be able to make it to the dancer floor much less dance.

Despite the headache he was getting from the flashing lights, Rogen continued to watch the fluid-like movement of the wave of bodies. To him every different body seemed to unify into a single blob; all except for what appeared to be a pair of darkened figures. A male, judging by the height and build, and a female, he could tell by the figure. She couldn’t tell whether what he saw was a cause of his drunken state or if I was reality.

The two were producing an aura of some kind . . . a dark aura. For some reason or another the two stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the partygoers; the female was much darker than her partner. It was very odd to him even with his mind in the state t was. He was trapped in watching the couple move together, as much as he tried to look away.

The more Rogen watched the two the more he could tell they were ‘together’. Their aura’s mixed and accepted each other; it seemed to be an attraction between them. It occurred to him that there had to be a reason these two were drawing his attention. There just had to be. . .

Suddenly, without warning, the aura around them flared; it grew faster than a flame burning through dried grass. The sudden reaction caused Rogen to squint in order to see clearly what had just happened. It didn’t take him long even with the drinks in his system to realize what triggered the reaction.

He just rolled his eyes; of course it was young love. The aura was odd but his concern for the matter disappeared as he turned his back. Hormones he thought as he waved for another round of shots. Rogen glanced back for a moment to see the pair heading for an open patio; he couldn’t help but grin as he mentally congratulated the male for getting with a girl that had a body like that.

[Skye Connan]

No matter how hard she tried, Skye could not stop her heart from pounding. It didn’t help her to know that Apollus had just revealed his feelings for her. It was her only hope that the air would calm her down, it would be easier to be with Apollus without the mass of people surrounding them. But then again isolation could probe to be difficult especially with him so close.

To her relief, the cool air from the city helped. It was relaxing, although it didn’t get rid of the butterflies in her stomach. She couldn’t help but feel nervous; Skye liked Apollus, she liked him a lot. He made parts of her come out that she never knew she had. And she trusted him, he was the first person to earn her trust since she left home. Now that she thought about it, it was not surprise that she had grown attracted to him.

She found herself gazing down at her hand, which was still caught in Apollus’ firm grip. Almost shyly, Sky urged him to soften his hold. She continued to keep her hand in his but allowed herself to lace her fingers through his. She smiled contentl down at their joined hands before leaning on the steady ledge of the open patio.

There was a small breeze that faintly blew through her dark hair; it felt good against her warm skin. The wind caressed her face just as the beautiful glow of the city did. She saw tall buildings full of lights that would never fail as well as billboards that scattered across the sides of skyscrapers that could have riveled the ones on Coruscant. Even with all the night time noise, the setting was perfect.

Her hazel eyes reflected the colors of the city; the whole sight was foreign to her. She absentmindedly started to trace her thumb over the side of Apollus captured hand. Through the silence between both Apollus and her, Skye’s gaze never left the city in front of her. For once she had nothing to say, everything was apeaking for itself. It was remarkable.

[Apollus Alexei]

She was staring out into the canyons of durasteel and concrete, he watched her face as if he could see her mind working within, but what was she thinking? Subtly he noticed her thumb rubbing against his hand, she was thinking about him, he guessed. His mind was steadily and unwavering while thinking about her, from her beauty to her intellect. He didn't ever want to let go of her.

He tried to speak but the words became lost in his throat before a noise came out. He was content with this moment of silence then, words could hardly capture this moment without degrading it. He pulled her close while taking a deep breath of the cool night air. He kissed her again, looking for some of the assuring warmth she gave in her kiss. Everything was perfect, but perfection begot a veil that hid a voyeur in the distance.

[Skye Connan]

A passion passed from her to him that even made her lose her senses for a second. Skye found herself flush against Apollus; although shyness still was evident in her motions. He was warm; it was definitely something that she had ever experienced before . . . she was drunk with this new and exotic sensation.

Her fingers combed through his hair as she suckled his bottom lip tenderly. She grinned slyly on the inside; she wasn’t going to be the one to end this kiss. Skye could stay like this with Apollus for a very, very long time.

It was funny to her how this was set upon her. To be lucky enough to have been brought together with Apollus.

[Apollus Alexei]

It felt so right, so right in comparison with the hell he had been coping with in the time since the accident that ushered in his Force sensitivity. He held her closer as their lips parted. He had to say something, it had been on his mind since they left the hotel room.

"I- I wasn't too clear about my experience with the Force to you when you asked earlier. It's been nagging at me and I'm sorry about not being truthful with you, its just..."

He paused. Now, more than before, he felt like the truth might destroy what he had with her. But if he lied anymore it felt like it would destroy things regardless. He had to.

"I told you I came from a well off family, but since as early as I could recall I had been hiding my Force sensitivity at my parents insistence. And I didn't hate them for it, I understood what Force users meant to the Empire and how dangerous it was to be open about it. All the Force power seemed to have built up inside me and it was at the space port..."

Was he loosing her? It felt like he was rambling now.

"I was there with my-." Just say it. "My fiance and- and it just exploded for no reason like a lightning bolt hit the roof or an earthquake... She died after a month in the hospital. I ran from home and I was-"

Just keep going, he told himself. It all was embarrassing to him, he was ashamed of the way he acted then.

"I was going to kill myself." He wanted to know what she thought of him now, was she disgusted? Appalled at the way he conducted himself. Jealous knowing he was engaged to someone that never really left his mind ever since?

"Then Sudoku found me and took me away..."

It all seemed like such a random story to tell in the moment when Skye and him had finally come together outside the urban nightclub on such a beautiful night.

"I'm sorry if that was, uh, abrupt of me." He said quietly. "I just feel like I should be honest about this with you. You mean a lot to me because when I thought everything was crumbled and done, I found you and... you're so wonderful."

[Skye Connan]

A compassionate smile found its way to her lips. Now long warm lithe fingers caressed the sides of his face; where the hazy glow of the city lights illuminated his features. She forced his eyes to look into hers. Skye wanted to know what was running through his mind and she wanted Apollus to know what she was feeling. She knew her eyes said more than she could ever verbally say.

She was definitely taken aback at his sudden urge to tell her the truth. His truth was not something that she had expected. As he told what really happened it surprised her how different his tone was. He sounded like he was almost afraid to tell her, like she would turn away from him, maybe even hate him after she knew what he had done.

All the while he talked and she listened; resting contently in his arms. Emotions ran through her constantly; envy for his childhood, worry for what had happened to make him afraid to use his Force Senility, shock and jealousy when he spoke of the girl before her; as much as she hated to admit it, she was jealous but her negative emotion didn’t last long. His story and honesty was more important than what she was feeling at the moment.

When Apollus mentioned his attempt to kill himself, Skye found herself suddenly breathless. She wasn’t repulsed, not even close, concern surged through body. His past was harsher than Skye had ever imagined.

She pulled him close and hugged him tightly as he whispered his last statement. I just feel like I should be honest about this with you. You mean a lot to me because when I thought everything was crumbled and done, I found you and... you're so wonderful.” Her chin rested gently on his broad shoulder; letting his words soak into her mind.

“You’re words mean so much to me and I’m so sorry what you had to go through. It must be painful to think about.” Her voice was hushed as she spoke. “I appreciate you honesty.”

She smiled and pulled away; her eyes finding his. “Come on, I think I still have a dance or two left in me, before we call it a night.”

[Apollus Alexei]

Perhaps he should stay away from the drinks for a while. The two he had at the club gave him a headache the next morning, a little unusual for him. Perhaps it was the mixture of drama and alcohol that made his headache. Or perhaps it was because he had seen that fictitious woman too many times in one day. He supposed he had a tumor in his brain somewhere and it caused these hallucinations, maybe that was giving him a headache. He noticed when they came in the hotel provided some vine-coffee for their guests, perhaps that would alleviate his head pains.

He left his room donning but a thin shirt and sweatpants, he didn't want to be indecent with Skye in the apartment-hotel room. Silently he thanked the creation of droids as he hit the start button on the coffee maker, the little droid measured the beans, ground them up and began brewing. It must have been some top end model, he'd never seen anything like it in his lifetime. He broke his admiration of the piece of technology and took a seat on the sofa, kicking up his legs and allowing time to do its work and his body to completely wake up.

Another sign of living the high life. He thought as he flicked on the holonet. Most places simply didn't have it, they stuck primarily to planetary broadcastings and even on Korriban, it was used only for research purposes. While the holonet was a marvel of technology, it was run completely by a government agency. From children's programs to documentaries, it all was designed to instill loyalty tot he Empire. He flicked between channels and stopped at the comedy Three Stormtroopers and a Baby.

While his eyes occupied themselves with the moving holograms, his thoughts drifted towards Skye.

[Skye Connan]

Her senses were awakened by the smell of a fantastic something; a something that she couldn’t quite pinpoint, it had been a while since she last remembered that scent. With much effort Skye hesitantly opened her eyes; she managed a struggling squint from behind long brown lashes. There was a tiny bit of light peaking through the heavy white curtains; it allowed the room to pick up a shallow tint of lightness. For a change, it was a nice way to wake up.

Successfully stifling a yawn, she rolled over in the plushy bed; her limbs already automatically spreading in a stretch. Rather contently, she kicked the covers to the end of the bed. Running a hand through her wave of messy hair; Skye groaned quietly, mornings for her were definitely not a strong suit. She settled back in her cozy little spot imbedded in the mattress; her mind slowly became aware of where she was.

As she laid there, the progress of her waking up growing, Skye was sure she heard something else awake. Groggily, she urged her body to get off the bed and over to her duffle bag. She dug to the bottom of her bag and found a pair of red and viridian stripped shorts; which she threw on quickly before straightening her small tank top that she had wore to bed.

It had bewildered her how well she had actually slept that night…morning. No nightmares for once was pleasant; surprisingly her rest had been calm.

Still a bit drugged with sleep, Skye managed to stumble down the hall towards whatever else was alive. She made her way to the living area and immediately was excited to be awake; Apollus was sprawled out on the couch watching something she couldn’t quite place on the holonet. A smile spread across her face as she propped her back up against the wall behind her.

“Good Morning, Tough guy.” Her voice was a bit gravely from the couple hours of rest she had gotten. “How’d you sleep?”

[Apollus Alexei]

"Morning, tough guy." She said as he shifted his gaze quickly form the holonet to her.

She even makes morning clothes look good. He thought to himself.

"How'd you sleep?" She asked.

"Heh," He thought about the unexpected effect a few drinks had on him. "Like a log." He smiled and curled his legs up in case she might want to sit down. Then he realized the aromatic vine-coffee was likely done, he stood up and attended to it.

"So, what's in the plans for today?" He asked casually as he poured the hot liquid into a cup. Before she could respond he picked up a second mug and asked, "Care for some?"

[Skye Connan]

“Sure.” Skye smiled cheerfully through tired eyes. “Even though this stuff usually smells better than it tastes.”

It hadn’t really occurred to her what she wanted to do for the rest of their stay. In fact, Skye hadn’t really though about anything to do; all she had though about was getting away from the Compound. Korriban was a dismal place and living there was even worse. Her feelings for leaving that place were far more than overjoyed.

Skye took a seat on one of the stool chairs that were set at the counter; she graciously took the cup from Apollus. She cautiously inhaled the scent of the steaming liquid; it was time for a good wake up call.

“I guess, I was thinking of just wandering around. There’s bound to be plenty of things to see around this city.” She paused a minute as she took a testing sip of the hot drink. “Unless there’s something you want to do.”

[Apollus Alexei]

"Nothing in particular." He said and took a sip, oh how he loved vine coffee. "There's the boyhood home a writer I'd like to check out sometime today, if you don't mind."

He surprised himself, he hadn't had much time for reading and literature since Korriban. It was good to think about it for a moment, the vine coffee added to things. It reminded him of reading in the cafes and long discussions concerning one stanza out of a hundred.

"It will be fun." He assured her, realizing he wanted her to come along with him. "I promise. Plus, there's a gift shop..." He smiled and set down the cup, taking a seat next to her. "What do you say?"

[Skye Connan]

Her fingertips tapped an old childhood tune on the side of her cup as her mind and physical being continued to wake up. Giving in to the luscious smell, Skye took a long sip of contents of the cup that she held in her hands. The warm liquid seemed to heat everything as is slid down her throat and to her stomach.

As she listened to Apollus, Skye’s eyes lit up in excitement; spending the day out in the city would be amazing fun. Just as the night before was; the best part was she would spend it with Apollus. This entire ‘vacation’ was looking to be better than she had ever thought it would be.

She set her half empty cup on the counter before jumping up and leaning toward her companion.

“That sounds great!” She pressed her lips to Apollus’ cheek in a tender kiss. “But first I need a shower.”

Then, she left him and bound off down the hall back to her room. She was going to need an outfit that would allow her to walk without constraint.

[Apollus Alexei]

"Same here..." he mumbled as she left and he finished the coffee.

---

"And this," Said the curator as he pointed to a binder filled with papers and stashed behind electronic shields. "are the notes Vitruvian wrote for the epic Daric. The inspiration coming mostly from his view of events unfolding outside this very window."

A few tourists recorded the scene with holocameras. Apollus instead took a moment to gaze out the window, knowing full well that the whole scene would never leave his mind. So much happened here. He thought. I wonder if Skye knows, or even cares?

He pointed to the reader that came with the tour, "There's a breakdown of the real events and how they influenced the epic." and smiled. "But if you've never read it, I don't know that it would make much sense."

The curator flagged the rest on, pointing out that the gift shop was outside the actual house. Apollus lead Skye now, out of the house. "Find anything too interesting?"

[Skye Connan]

“Actually, I did.”

And it was true; the home of this man had an extreme sophic feel to it. Skye heard of Vitruvian before; and quite honestly it sparked an interest in her. Her mothers’ bookworm nature must have been transferred to Skye.

“If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely read it sometime.” She smiled back at the house as the two of them walked into the late morning sun. The idea of finally being able to curl but with a book and relax sounded amazing; it had been years since she had a true book to read.

Skye tucked her long hair behind her ear as they passed under a large shady tree and into a small park. Her eye’s surveyed the green lush area but her mind was still on the tour that they had just finished.

Her hazel eyes sparkled in the thin ray’s that passed through the large tree leafs. She found her curious gaze on Apollus. “Did you enjoy the tour?”

[Embit Connan]

Ding . . . Ding . . .Ding . . .

Rogan sat quietly behind the glass display cases of his hop, sipping slightly on freshly brewed stimcaf. A breaking news holobroadcast glowed brightly from across the room; the women’s voice explained in scarce details a scandal that had unfolded among the Golden Beaches only moments earlier. Although he watched; his mind was elsewhere

Ding . . . Ding . . . Ding . . .

That girl Connan had given him just last night and now she was already off to another buyer. Rogan knew that Embit could get carried away at times, but this was his own daughter and she only looked to be no older than fourteen or fifteen. He had watched as his men shipped her away . . . frak, she was practically still a baby. The last of his stimcaf; traveled swiftly down his throat; hoping the memory of that girl would go with it.

Ding . . . Ding . . .

He set his but down and moved sluggishly over to the door. After the last chime rang; Rogan swiped his security car through the door panel. Hopefully a day of regular business would get Embit Connan out of his thoughts.