A New Life in a New Planet

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

The private transport had been loaded and was starting the sequence for lift off. The docking mechanisms were lifted off the ground and stored under the ship as it slowly rose above the docks of Theed. In one of the windows sat the face of a distressed teen, stareing at the city she had known all her life and wondering if she was ever going to see it again.

Ariesa d'Veldrin, daughter of the new ambasador of Naboo, was leaving the only life she had ever known behind. Her father had been relocated to Coruscant after he had been given his new position. And she was being forced to move with him and her mother. The Empire had sent a private transport and escort to bring them to the city planet safely. Ariesa was not happy to be dragged along.

She sat stareing at the city, her city, as it, and soon Naboo, shrank away into the distance. Her miniature Sabrecat was curled up on her lap, napping. She pet it slowly as she watched everything she knew sing away into the distance. With a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, just waiting for the trip to be over.

* * *

Coruscant

The ship docked on one of the floating landing pads and Ariesa looked out of her window. A hover car was waiting on the pad for them. She sighs again and her mother puts a hand on her shoulder, telling her it is time to head to their new home. She looks up at her mother and nods, picking up her sabrecat in her arms and cradling it as she steps off the transport behind her father and mother. They are led to the car that quickly takes them to their new home.

Several days later, they were finaly settled. The new house was nice and large. But it was still not Home to Ariesa. She was restless within the confines of the house and city and would spend much of her time in her room, looking over pictures of Naboo and sending messages back and forth to some of her left behind friends on Naboo.

Finaly, she worked up the nerve to leave the house. Her mother and Father had headed out for the night to meet up with some other officials on the city Planet. She had been left at home. She desided to go exploring.

So there she was, a new girl in a huge city. She walked along the upper level streets, looking around at the sights. Her sabrecat was perched on her shoulder as she walked, watching the lights of the city with a small collar and chain leash around it's neck so that if it jumped off, it didnt run off and get lost. There she wandered.

[Sin]

Ariesa d'Veldrin. He cast his gaze upon her as she traveled from her recently appropriated dwelling, he had kept a watchful eye upon her since her arrival onto this worthless rock. Progeny of the newly appointed Ambassador to Naboo, her sire would have fairly high clearance within the Empire and its structured system. Not too high, however. Suspicion was a failure he could not afford, not with the wretched Empire so happy to grab and drag off adepts and users alike.

However, an Ambassador's daughter could be a most rewarding associate. He simply had to stand ready for an open opportunity, one she had been most gracious to provide.

Little girl, the voice seemed to come from all and nowhere, do you not realize how dangerous it is to walk alone upon these worn streets?

He fell in beside her a moment later, the soft pat of his boots echoing kindly off the walkway. The crimson eyes cast down upon her, regarding her cooly.

There are all sorts of miscreants about, one must be careful.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa had been walking for a little over an hour when, out of no where, someone had spoken to her as if from everywhere at once. She yelped slightly as she looked around. The man had stepped up beside her and she took a few steps back from the strange looking fellow. Back on Naboo, she was able to walk the streets at night without a single thought that someone would try to hurt her. She had thought it would be similar here. Only now did she consider that she might have been mistaken.

The sabrecat on her shoulder growled and hissed at the man beside her as she backed away from him several paces. No one else on the street seemed to care, like this sort of thing happened all the time.

"I... uh..."

She looks around quickly for an excuse or a way out of the situation.

"I was just... um... heading home..."

[Sin]

Shattered lips turned upward as he smiled, not that she or anyone else would ever view the event. His leather prison presented him as such an emotionless being, so very far from the truth. He bowed slightly, mocking courtesy and care for the worthless life before him.

Allow me to apologize most sincerely, if I startled you miss. Such occurance was not my intention. A rather blatant untruth, I was simply curious at such an odd sight. One does not come across young girls wandering aimlessly through Coruscant unescorted.

Not the offspring of Ambassadors at any rate.

If you feel so inclined, as to return to your home - at least allow me the privledge of escorting you there unmolested. Some of these individuals, his hand swept in exagerated motion to the crowds about them, are untrustworthy.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She turns her head slightly so she is looking at him out of the corner of her eye. Her muscles are tense so that she may spring out and suddenly start running, should the situation call for it. The creature on her shoulder was still stareing at the man with murderous eyes. It, as well, did not trust him in the least. But it would sooner attack him then run from him.

"How am I supose to trust that you are not one of these men that should not be trusted...?"

She picks up the cat off her shoulder and holds it in her arms.

[Sin]

Unforunately, dear miss - it is a question I have no fair answer to.

The audial noise of the tip of his boot scuffing roughly against the duracrete pathway broke what little silence there had been.

I do find it most distressing, that the lives of this fair city have been so dragged into the mire, that souls can no longer trust one another.

Once more his fractured face turned in smile, as he nodded to himself slowly.

This was not the case on my Nabooian homeworld.

Hook.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa blinked at his words. Nubian... He was from Naboo? She seemed to visibly relax suddenly. The cat, though, did not. It continued to growl at him. But the cat left Arie's thoughts as she watched the man before her, judgeing how true his words might be about him being from Naboo.

"You... Your from Naboo?"

She looks up and down the street then up at the sky a moment, trying to guess which star might lead to Naboo's sun. She then looks back at the man before her.

"Wh... What part of Naboo are you from?"

[Sin]

Line.

Why none other than it's gem, Theed, of course.

At times he almost regretted the ease with which simple, and usually young minds were manipulated. ALMOST.

Of course it's been many a year since I've even laid eyes upon the rich city. I moved sometime ago, familial responsibility - you see. I still find myself longing for it, even to this day.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She perks up and smiles at him.

"I just moved from Theed. I loved it there. Its so beautiful with the palace and the court yards and the nearby forests and everything like that."

Her smile fades and she looks at the ground.

"I had to move away as well. My father got stationed here, in Coruscant. So we had to move all the way out here."

She growls slightly and looks around, frowning.

"I hate this city. It smells disgusting and I have no friends here and know nothing about it."

She sighs sadly.

[Sin]

Yes indeed, the beauty of Theed is unsurpassed. This city, while impressively sized, is nothing but a shadow in comparison.

His crimson view fell upon the wretched beast within her arms for a moment. It still hissed like the devilish creature it was in his direction. The animal could be a hinderance to his goals. It would have to go, eventually, at the very least. Now however was the time for friendly chatter, and cordial politeness.

He hated all of those things.

Allow me, dear girl, to introduce myself. The crinkle of his extending digits seemed to echo in the moment as he reached his hand out in 'friendly' greeting. I am known as t'Zin. Adrion t'Zin.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She tries to hush the creature as it hisses and struggles with her. She finaly sighs and gives up, putting it on the ground. She raises her deep blue eyes back up at the man. She smiles at his introduction and nods slightly, taking his hand.

"Ariesa d'Veldrin. Most of my friends just call me Arie, though. Pleasure to meet you."

The cat scurries behind Arie's legs. She frowns down at the creature then smiles back up at the man.

"Sorry about him. He doesnt like strangers very much and has been a bit skitish with the move and everything."

[Sin]

Sinker.

He shook her hand with all the politeness he could muster and nodded in accord.

Understandable. Such a voyage can bother simple creatures quite badly.

That animal was becoming quite an annoyance. He turned his gaze back upon her and let his neck tilt, driving his head to one side.

Are you still on your way home? If so, I do still offer my services to be certain you arrive safely.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She looks off down the street in the direction of her house and frowns. She really didn't want to go home already. She hadn't been out that long yet and wanted to continue to look around the area. She sighs then looks back to the man before her.

"I don't Have to head home yet. Mum and dad are still out for the evening. So I still have some time before I HAVE to go home."

She smiles and shrugs.

"How long have you been in the city? And do you know any good places to have some fun around here?"

[Sin]

Oh at times it feels as if I've wandered this city for milennia. In truth, perhaps ten years - as for fun places to go, I suppose that depends on your definition of fun. I do however, know a nice little restaurant that serves a perfect cup of iced coffeine, and most usually has entertainment available.

She was an easy mark, a few kindly words - non-descriptive memories of a world he'd only traveled to once, and found entirely too bright and pleasant for his distinguished tastes, and she was drowning upon every sylable that 'left his lips' in a manner of speaking.

I do believe tonight is an open mic, in fact.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She watches him a moment then nods slightly.

"Sounds like fun... but I wont get up and sing. I'm not very good at singing."

She smiles then looks down at the sabrecat.

"Do they alow animals inside? Cause, if not, I should take him home..."

She frowns slightly at the cat still acting untrusting of the man before her. She nudges it with her foot and glares down at it. It scampers behind her legs, still growling slightly.

[Sin]

How allowed a pleasant smile to cross his lips, finally blessed release from the tyrannical hold of this animal.

Alas, I fear they do not allow pets into the establishment. I shall see you home, so we may deposit the little darling.

He did hope the last words had not arrived to her mind sounding too malicious. The appearance, at the least, that he actually cared about the well being of the worthless life was important after all. He swept his arm in a wide arc, inviting her to lead the way.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

"Its a few kilometers this way, so we will have to do some walking for a bit before we can head to the restaraunt... sorry."

She begins walking back the way she had come, but at a much faster pace then her previous slow stroll. She picks up the cat and carries it as the two walk back towards her house.

"Sorry about the walk back. But I cant just leave him outside or anything."

She smiles down at the cat, petting him slowly as she walks.

[Sin]

She was a sweet thing wasn't she? Concerned of his well-being, and his inconvenience at having to walk a short distance. How quant. He turned in her direction and gave a curt nod.

Believe me, dear miss, I am no stranger to traveling by foot. I find it invigorating, in fact. The restaurant will most assuredly still be open by the time we arrive, so I am in no expediant hurry... and we must deliver the little... angel home safely, must we not?

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa looks back down at the cat in her arms and nods. His distain for the creature did not even cross her mind. She pets it a bit tying to calm it down and it instantly does so, settling into her arms and falling asleep. Ariesa gives it an odd look but then shakes her head. She looks back up at Sin.

"So why did you leave Naboo? Were you forced to do so? I can't imagin someone leaving on their own free will. Its such a beautiful planet... I miss it..."

[Sin]

The horrendous ball of fur had finally quieted itself. Lovely. Turning his attention once more towards his actual interest he articulated his words in as forelorn a manner as possible.

Sadly, yes. I was forced to relocate to deal with family matters. My father passed on you see, and I came here to take care of what final arrangements he had prepared. Including overseeing his assets here, which have forced me to remain, rather than return home.

[Ashe Sieris]

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[Ashe Sieris]

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[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She looks down at the ground as he talked.

"Oh. I'm sorry your father died. I havn't really been through a loss of a close family member... although..."

She sighs and shakes her head.

"It feels like I have lost my father... He is always off doing work for the Empire."

She growls slightly, showing her distain for the Empire. Her eyes quickly dart around, to make sure that there are no storm troopers or officials around. She moves close to him and mutters quietly.

"I really do not like the Empire. Me and my friends back on Naboo used to do minor acts against them, trying to drive them out of Theeb. If my father had found out, he would have killed me or disowned me. Its possible that he had begun to suspect, though. I think that is why he wanted us to move here..."

[Sin]

He moved his head in a slow nod of aggreement, perhaps this wretched little creature had at least a tiny bit of worth to her - he despised this Empire much more than she did herself - it had been they who had stolen his sister from him. This was a fact he was positive of, a fact that had driven his most current course of action, and his association with this girl.

Her father's clearance and rank would give him the access he needed to locate her - reclaim her from the beasts who had stolen her away - and end their pathetic hold across the galaxy. It was much easier to wipe out life when there was not a government and armed force to attempt to halt your actions.

It would be best, he spoke softly to her mind, imitating the whisper she had spoke to him in, that you be careful whom you give that information to. Not all are trustworthy, and simply speaking words such as those can cause you to be detained for the crime of treason. Talk only to me about such things, you can trust me.

The last words were not spoken as request, but as a statement of what she would do. She had relaxed her guard, and would be easily manipulated by exercising the force over her. She would trust him, perhaps even few him as a mentor, by the time he was through with her. Simple minds are so easy to mold.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa gets a slightly glazed look in her eyes for half a second before she shakes her head, as if trying to drive something off. She looks up at him.

"I'll only speak to you about it..."

She looks forward again, watching where she is going. Thoughts of how this man could be trusted dodged across her mind as she continued walking. She remained quiet for a time until they finaly reached her house.

"I'll be right back."

She called to him as she began to dodge up the stairs of the front of the building.

[Sin]

His extremities folded against his chest as she went into her dwelling, and he was forced to wait. Doubt still existed, if he had fully gained her confidence - almost exciting, in a way, unsure if she would return, or simply call for authorities regarding his presence before her home.

If she returned he had her, the fact was as clear as the skies over Coruscant.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa hurried up the stairs into her house and dodged around the clean up droids and assistants. She hurried into her room and set the sabrecat on her bed, petting its head quickly. It gives her a pitiful growling meow as she turns to walk out the door. She pauses and turns back, smileing. She walks back over and pets it on the head.

"Its ok. I'll be home later. I will be ok. But you cant go with me... I'm sorry."

The sabrecat began purring then she turned to walk out the door again. She quickly closed the door before the cat got the idea to follow her out of the building.

With that done, she grabs her long coat as she hurries out the door again.

Ariesa walks down the steps, pulling her coat on. She looks around and spots t'Zin. She smiles and rushes over to him.

"All done, t'Zin. Ready to go?"

[Sin]

Perhaps it would shine through his mask, but his smile - as twisted and broken as the most fractured mirror - could not be contained. It was always a joy to bring a young mind under his influence, to watch it slowly mold into a usable form.

The inevitable reality would sink in later - usually mere moments before their life flickered from this mortal coil.

I am indeed, Little Miss. I believe you will like this establishment a great deal.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa began to walk with him down the street towards the establishment. Her mind raced with thoughts, though nothing against this strange man she had just met. Her eyes roamed across the random people on the streets as her mind wandered.

'...molding young minds....'

Ariesa paused in her walking and looked at him. Her look was quizical and questioning.

"I'm sorry... I don't think I quite heard what you just said... Could you repeat yourself? I think the many voices on the street might have mixed in with what you said..."

Yet... he had Said nothing...

[Sin]

Curiouser and Curiouser, my little Alice... tilting his neck slightly he regarded her for but a moment. He had been so wrapped up in bending her to his will for the sake of her progenitor, that he had neglected to observe the most obvious trait. How deliciously ironic, the daughter of the Nabooian Ambassador, who from all appearances was a horribly loyal member of the Empire, was an adept. The force did not manifest itself as strongly upon her as it had upon others, perhaps this is the reason he had overlooked it.

Yet, it was still there. He would be careful to guard his thoughts around her from this point forward, no more fleeting thoughts or ideas - any gem to grow in his mind from this point would be deeper hidden. He considered for but an instance telling her what she was, but perhaps it was best to allow her to discover her gift on her own. Let her come to him when she discovered it, lost and confused - with no one else to turn to. Yes, that would be the ideal situation.

Ah, indeed - snippets of passing thought can often be heard, if you but listen.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa blinks a few times then shakes her head. She must have just been imagining things again. She scolds herself in her own mind for alowing herself to wander like that. She remains silent for a long period of time while the two of them walk, just looking around, trying to contain her own thoughts and wanderings.

Within moments, atleast to her, they were standing infront of their destination. She blinks again and looks around, not even realizing they had gone that far. She looks at him and smiles slightly.

"Well... shall we?"

[Sin]

Without hesitation, my dear. He addressed her politly, bowing slightly and allowing her foremost entrance to the establishment before himself.

Ladys first.

His footsteps came from just behind her, a moment or two after as he followed her inside. It was one of the few escapes Sin actually found pleasure in, despite the less than preferable association that came with it. Some tone deaf musician was on the stage, plucking away mindlessly at a small guitar as he screeched out lyrics to a song he had more than likely constructed while on the refresher.

Moving his head in disapprovement he motioned at an empty booth towards the far end of the locale - away from as many worthless beings as possible. Thankfully it was quiet in here tonight, it made it that much more palatable.

Can I acquire something for your refreshment?

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa noded her thanks to him when he opened the door then followed him over to the booth he had motioned to. She sits down and looks around the establishment. It was rather different the any she had been in before. Not high class but not the seedy places that could be found in many places on Coruscant. It was nice. She leaned back in her seat and looks at him, a slight smile on her lips.

"A drink? Oh.. um... Soda is good for me."

She looks around while he gets the drinks, glanceing over the faces of the other people there and at the person up on stage. He wasn't bad.... wasn't great but atleast it wasn't peircing her ears with a horrid sound like some she has heard before. As he walks back to the table, she smiles again.

"So how often do you come here?"

[Sin]

At every convenience.

He vocalized softly, trailing a finger slowly along the wooden exterior of their table. He ground the dust particles betwee his fingers with an unseen sneer. Filth. Even in a more desirable location amongst the beasts he still had to endure their disgusting ways.

Turning away from her for but a moment he motioned at the 'gentleman', a term he would use loosely on such a being, who was managing the open mic session of the evening's entertainment. He returned the expression and scribbled something down on a torn piece of writing material. It wouldn't be long now.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

She remains quiet for a while, just looking around the place. Finally, she looks back at him and speaks up.

"So what are you doing here?"

[Diamond Roa]

"Diamond Roa, reporting as ordered, sir." Diamond gave the officer the datapad that showed his orders and his resume.

"You come highly recommended, especially for one so young." The officer read through the data. "I assume you know why you're here?"

"No sir, I simply responded to the request. Details aren't something I worry about, sir." Diamond sighed. These bodyguard jobs paid well, but they always required the most tedious interactions with other beings.

"You are here to guard and protect Miss Ariesa d'Veldrin, the daughter of the Nubian Ambassador. Coruscant is a dangerous place. We wouldn't want anything to happen to her. She's in your...qualified hands."

Just then, Ariesa d'Veldrin opened the door, ran past him and the officer and up the stairs, a sabercat close behind her.

"That would be the young miss then?" Diamond was unimpressed. It would be an easy job.

The officer nodded, "Yes, that's her." Ariesa ran back by them.

"Time to work then."

Moments later, Diamond was moving casually through the crowd several steps behind Asiera and another person Diamond considered a possible threat simply because of the way he looked. He was like a fish in water, he wasn't just moving through the crowd with ease, but he was blending with it. There was no way anyone could know he was following her.

[Sin]

His composure remained steady, not providing her with an immediate response, rather he waited patiently on the movements of the creature he had spoken to just before, and finally was provided what he desired.

Standing the announcer stood and took the stage, "Our next talent has been here a few times. Give it up for the poetry of T'zin." He stepped away. Sin turned to his associate and nodded to her calmly. What am I doing here? Allow me to show you.

He took the stage before an audience who did not deserve his presence, but they were granted it regardless - his gift to their worthless existence.

A bitter life within a shattered world, your seething hatred grows.
Encaged within a prison mask which hides a look that never shows.

Step up upon the pedestal, take the power that you need,
for to hide away your truth is to deny yourself indeed.

Steal life, take power, grow stronger yet. Your destinies await -
But never, my dear children, forget about your hate.

Hate boosts your power, makes strong, gives focus to your will.
A powerful ally is your hate, when married to your skill.

And now I leave you with this thought - a symphony of mind,
All things are but a fleeting dream, and the dreamer you must find.

He swept forward in a graceful bow as he took a short step away from the microphone, and the audience applauded slowly - quite often only a few within the crowd would even appreciate the beauty of what he had relayed upon their audio receptors. With his excursion to the stage at a close, he returned to his seat across from the young girl who had come to be in his care for the evening.

[Diamond Roa]

Diamond was now sure, absolutely, without a doubt. This man that was with the woman he was supposed to protect, he was dangerous. He was not dangerous in the way a man with a gun is, but rather in the way an artist is with a paintbrush. Except this man was the kind of artist that happened to use a gun or sharp object to perform his art. More importantly, and more dangerously, this man's weapon seemed to be his intelligence and his words, two weapons that could do more damage than any other.

[Ariesa d'Veldrin]

Ariesa watched him walk back to their booth, a rather impressed look on her face. She blinked a few times then clapped for him, a wide smile on her face, her eyes shineing.

"Wow. That was impressive. I didn't realise you were a poet. I don't think I have ever heard anything like that, let alone in person."

She sits forward, eagerly, in her seat, like an excited school girl that just saw her favorite actor.

"Where did you pick that up from? Were you a scholar back on Naboo? Or did you go to school around here for it?"

She waits, eagerly for his answer to her.

[Sin]

Her whimpering words barely registered, his immediate thoughts drawn away from the table, and towards a man that had seated himself within the back of the establishment. He was skilled, as much as it grieved him to admit such, the truth remained the truth. An ordinary lifeform would never have identified such a clever leech, Sin however, was far from ordinary - a fact that if discovered would lead to his slow and painful death within this, the People's Empire.

He had began trailing them some time after leaving the dwelling of the young lady. Sin had hoped, despite his better judgement, that he had been incorrect - and the individual was only following out of odd circumstance and coincidence. It seems, however, that he had gained a silent and trailing member to his entourage. He would be dealt with, in due time.

Upturning his head towards his traveling companion he addressed her after what must have seemed an eternity.

It is a gift I have always found myself blessed with. Elegant speech, and the artistry of words upon fragile ears. I am pleased to find that you enjoyed my words. Perhaps I can share more with you on another occasion.

His vision glanced back towards their mysterious 'friend', and he wondered, ever curious as he was, was perhaps this individual now aware that he was exposed? How much longer were they to wait, as well, before their now inevitable clash?