Neh'avi

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Meh'ano en'ss'anu'ek da a'ni'eh
Au'ri' Kheh'ana e'kheh'ss'o
Uri'o'auna kama'a
Ia no'aur'a en'de'ek na'ori'ss'a jeh'uma dia'ek ma'ka'aul'a
Kheh neh'avi



The return trip to the Dauntless was a strange affair. Subdued in the aftermath of the disastrous ending of the contest of wills between Lupines and bounty hunters, and utter joy and elation at the fact that after so long, Loklorien s'Ilancy had - in her arms at this very moment - her daughter.

It was a blessing and a tragedy, and the elder Lupine was torn on how to react. In the end she knew that what had befallen Arya was something that would need to be remedied, but for Teagan's sake, s'Il kept a tight hold on the girl. She crushed her to her chest, unable to speak for the longest time, and it wasn't until they were on their final approach to Dauntless' main hangar bay that she found her voice.

"Dama missed you so much," she whispered repeatedly, rocking back and forth.

For her part, Teagan held just as tightly to her mother, and had succumbed to happy tears, burying her head into Dama's chest, hands balling into fists that clutched her mother's shirt.

s'Il had decided it best to also wrap the girl in her own outer tunic, securing it tightly with her belt cinched as far as it could go, then knotted. Over that, Teagan had been given the shuttle pilot's uniform jacket. It was an odd arrangement, but it was better than having the little Lupine run about in the suit she'd been born with.

The elder Lupine shut her eyes tightly as she clung to her daughter, and she felt a tear escape to travel down her cheek.

"I missed you so very much."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Tak wasn't about to let go of Dama for anything. Not even if Dama was on fire. She cried, her face pushed against Dama to make sure that she'd not disappear. How long had she been gone?! It felt like years and years.

"I... *hic*... I missed you too," she managed to get out between sobs.

Eventually she lifted her head up to look at Dama with tear-stained, red-rimmed eyes. The worry on her face was plain to see.

"Did Daddy miss me too?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il lifted her hand to smooth out the worry lines in her daughter's face.

"Of course he did," she soothed, leaning forward to lay a gentle kiss to the girl's forehead.

"He missed you just as much as I did."

s'Il couldn't take her eyes away, and she brushed away strands of hair from Teagan's face. She had grown to be sure, but thoughts on that could wait as she felt herself fall into the realization that she'd gotten her baby girl back. It was a thought that caused her to pull the girl to her once more, holding her tights while resting a chin over the top of a sandy blonde mop of hair.

Neither mother nor daughter moved, even as the shuttle touched down. It eased to the deck of the hangar bay, and as the pilot finished his post-flight shutdowns before making his way to the lowering boarding ramp, it was obvious that the Jedi would not be wishing to move for a short while yet. He didn't even try to speak, instead knowing it best to make himself scarce.

And so now alone in the shuttle, s'Il rocked Teagan back and forth, arms around the girl in a firm and protective hold as she whispered words of love in Bast'yr.

[General Dan]

"Loklorien s'Ilancy, I leave my ship in your hands for two hours and you do this?"

Dan's gravelly kvetching sounded up the shuttle's gangplank as a signal to his arrival. He stomped heavily into the shuttle, determined to get to the bottom of this once and for all.

"You deviate from patrol, fire on a ship, leave your post, and wake me without half an inkling as to what's going on?!"

He reached the crew cabin, and paused. The sight that greeted him explained everything.

"Tak!"

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

It didn't matter that his voice sounded angry. She just plain didn't care, and as the heavy sounds of his boots came close Teagan twisted in Dama's arms. She beamed wide, and just the sight of him caused a fresh well of tears as she slid from Dama's lap, hitting the deck with bare feet.

In no time at all Teagan was running to him, one hand coming up to wipe at her eyes while the other stretched out to take hold of him.

[General Dan]

He swooped down to sweep her off her feet in an enthusiastic embrace.

"Oh...how long has it been! I can't believe it! I can't!"

Relief washed over the Rebel General as he smoothed her hair over, clutching him close to her for what seemed like forever. As he held her, he looked over Teagan's shoulder at s'Il, with an expression that said all was forgiven.

"What happened?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her movements to stand were slow and measured, her eyes never leaving the heartwarming sight of father and daughter.

"She was traveling with another Lupine."

s'Il moved toward the two, the smile that she wore was a relieved and serene one.

"Once I'd discovered that, it was simply a matter of arranging a meeting."

Less than the truth yes, but she had become proficient enough in the art of deception, and taking credit for finding their daughter had come naturally. It was inconsequential however, beside the much larger fact that Teagan had been returned, and further talk on the matter of the bounty hunters who'd followed Arya could be discussed at a later time.

She reached the two, and her hand went out to brush over the back of Teagan's head gently. Wiping at the tear that had formed and fallen from her own eye, s'Il clenched her jaw to keep from the joyful weeping that threatened to overtake her. She closed her eyes and leaned forward to rest her forehead against Dan's shoulder.

"We'll never be apart again," she whispered, her voice very audibly shaking.

[General Dan]

The matter of another lupine aside, Dan showed relief at his daughter's reunion with the family.

"And the bounty hunters? Were they..."

He hesitated to discuss such dark matters around his daughter. But his concern was visible. Were they after Teagan? Who would do such a thing?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She knew where his train of thought was going, and leaned away to shake her head.

"Not for her."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

If her Dad was worried over upsetting her with talk of the bounty hunters, he needn't worry. With her arms firmly around his neck, Teagan held onto him with no intentions of letting go.

She turned her head so that it rested beneath his chin, giving a light sniffle as her tears began to dry.

"Dama said you missed me as much as she did," her voice was tiny, and still a little bit unsteady.

"Did you?"

[General Dan]

Dan hoisted her squarely ahead, his eyes meeting hers with his complete attention.

"Every bit, little girl. It hasn't been the same here without you and all the comics strewn about on the floor. I've missed you more than you know."

He gave her a squeeze at each shoulder, a relieved smile set nearly permanently on his face.

"Don't you ever leave me again."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Another sniff, and she gave a smile of her own while continuing to wipe at her eyes.

"I won't. I promise."

Of course, she hadn't been the one to voluntarily leave, and the memory of Zem saying that he and Dama were having troubles came to the forefront of her mind.

"Zem told me that you and Dama were having trouble, and that was why I had to leave."

She bit her lip before once more leaning into him, content to simply be held.

"Did you fix them?"

[General Dan]

Dan glanced up to Lok, curious to see her expression at this revelation. Of course, he'd known that her absence had been the work of the Jedi, but he wondered just how much was said. That she still genuinely clung to him was every indication that she was oblivious.

"Teagan, there are some things we should tell you about Zem. I'm afraid he's not a nice man."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il reached out to quiet her daughter, knowing that the girl was ready to offer a quick denial. A gentle shush, and the Lupine further wiped dried tears from Teagan's face.

"We can talk about that later," she soothed.

Her other hand went to weave itself around Dan's lower back, pulling him close and turning him toward the boarding ramp at the same time.

"First, I think it's time we went home."

[General Dan]

"Agreed. No more talk of danger or any of that. I'm clearing my schedule. We owe it to ourselves to be a family again."

Dan rose up, threading his fingers between Teagan's as he held her hand. The family left the shuttle as they should - together.

"I'll make sure to put a word in to the mess hall. My baby girl gets whatever she wants today."

Dan figured he'd regret that somewhat, as he knew that his daughter's tastes had become abhorrent on account of spending time around the denizens of Layla. Still, he let it go. Anything for her.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There were plenty of curious stares given to the trio as they made their way from the main hangar, but s'Il paid them no mind. She had her daughter back, and at the moment that was all that mattered.

As they made their way through the halls and corridors, around corners and past officers and soldiers alike, the Lupine found her features settling into an expression of happiness and realized content. Her family was whole again, and there was nothing that could break it apart - neither she nor Dan would allow what had happened before to happen again.

As they stepped into the lift that would take them to the deck that held the officer's quarters, s'Il reached down to scoop Teagan up into her arms. Once again a hand went out to smooth across blonde hair, and she closed her eyes as she felt the girl rest her head against her shoulder, bright eyes staring at Dan and a grin on her lips.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

Held in her Dama's arms, Teagan stared at her Dad. He looked just the same as the last time she'd seen him - which was a good thing. That meant that even though it'd seemed like years since she saw him, it really wasn't since he didn't look any older.

Her smile shifted downward slightly, as she felt a pang of concern.

What if they didn't think she'd be coming back? What if they'd decided to give away her things? Or if her room had been turned into some... some sort of office or they rented it out to a fighter pilot?! Or worse yet, what if they'd bought another kid to replace her??!!

Each thought brought a deeper shade of worry, and she bit her lip.

"You guys didn't give away all of my clothes and stuff, did you? Or give my room to someone else?"

She wasn't sure she really wanted to hear the answer to that.

[General Dan]

Dan paused mid-step, a look somewhere between shock and amusement. He looked to s'Il, whose expression seemed to mirror his own.

"Why on Coruscant would we ever do that?"

He gave her hand a squeeze.

"No sweety. We left it just like you left it. Not a thing moved. Even all the mess, just the same."

He paused, a knowing smile on his face.

"Although that does mean you have to clean your room now."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

More than a little amused at Teagan's concern, s'Il found herself smiling. She hugged the girl just a little tighter. Even as they stopped in front of the door to their quarters, s'Il still held Teagan as Dan keyed the entry code.

The door opened, and stepping inside, she set her daughter down.

"Go change, and we'll be off to get some food as soon as you do."

The girl needed no other bidding, and with a grin from ear to ear, ran through the front sitting room to disappear through the doorway that led into a hall.

For long moments she said nothing, simply staring after her daughter. The smile that she wore faded somewhat however, and squaring her shoulders just a little bit, the Lupine carefully turned around to look at Dan.

[General Dan]

"We can breathe a breath of relief again."

Dan looked down to her, placing a hand at her shoulder.

"No more searching, no more wondering where she might be. We're whole again.

As good as that is, it brings up certain questions."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Unflinching, the Lupine looked up at him, iron in her gaze. She would never allow their family to be torn apart again, and the underlying glint of her maddened desire to keep them as such shown for only him to see.

"What questions."

[General Dan]

He stiffened a little, lowering his head to keep his eyes fixed on her. Relatively alone, his expression turned serious.

"The Vymes questions. It seems his usefulness has run it's course."

She knew what must be done. It was a glaring loose end, and one that he'd allowed her to leave uncut for too long, under the auspices of uniting the family. Now, that facade was ended. Their enemies deserved everything that would be given to them.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The smile that she gave to him was unsettling on so many accounts, and lifting a single finger to press against his lips, s'Il quietly shushed him.

"It seems that way, I would agree.

"But let us enjoy this victory over those who would see us broken into so many pieces. I have brought us all together once more; intoxicate yourself on your triumph, and when you've had your fill, show to him your mastery."

There was no denying the low tones of malignant joy in her hissed words, as if they'd come from a serpent's tongue.

"Let him see his failure and loss in the eyes of your daughter. And when he has," she paused, licking her lips, her eye never leaving his.

"... kill him."

[General Dan]

His apprentice's sadism ground against his own pragmatic impatience, and against better wisdom, he allowed her this pittance.

"How he is dealt with, I leave to you. Obviously you have a great many reasons to hate him. I only command that he meets his destiny, and soon."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There was the briefest flash of anger in her eye, covered almost just as instantly as she turned her head at the sound of an indignant, huffed snort followed by stomping feet coming down the hallway.

The elder Lupine smoothly sent her gaze back up to him, hooking a finger through one of the belt loops of his pants and drawing their bodies together while her other hand reached up to grasp around the back of his neck, pulling his head down so that their lips met.

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

With a shirt that was most certainly not hers clutched tightly in hand, Teagan marched back through the hall toward the main front room. They had gotten another kid! How could they?! How much had they paid?

With a veritable stormcloud over her head she stalked out...

... and stopped in her tracks.

She'd had an entire tirade ready to spill out, but the sight of Dama and Dad doing... that...

Even if they were married, Wyl's warning that girls and boys could give each other diseases if they kissed... especially like how they were now... !!

The girl blinked, finally managing to sputter out a few unintelligible words before starting for her parents in a hurried jog.

"No! Stop that!! You'll give each other diseases!!"

[General Dan]

Dan paused, parting his lips from Lok's, and turned to give his daughter a bewildered expression.

"We'll what?"

Of course, filtered through an adult's point of view, what Teagan had said carried a different meaning entirely. His mind moved in a direction of just what has she been learning while away from home?

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

"Diseases."

She said it forcefully, stopping in front of them and looking up with a stern expression.

"You'll give each other diseases."

There wasn't any arguing with her - at least, not with the tone of voice she took with them. That Dama was hiding a smile behind a raised hand only made her scowl deepen.

"And I thought you said you didn't buy another kid... "

She lifted the shirt, shaking it at the both of them in turn.

"... Who's is this?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Oh Sweetheart... "

s'Il kept a hold of Dan, keeping him close. But it was obvious that their daughter's misunderstanding and... use of words... had amused her.

"We didn't buy another child," she started.

Teagan looked supremely unconvinced.

"It's just... "

At that she looked to Dan.

[General Dan]

"I doubt you really want to know, sweety. After all, it's just some boy you may or may not know, who may or may not have, ahem, diseases."

He stole a glance back at s'Il, keeping a straight face despite all odds.

"And since we know you don't want any part of that, I think we'll find another place for young Wyl to spend his time."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

No way. No way No WAY.

Tak blinked, and her jaw fell open as her eyes went from Dad to Dama, then down to the shirt she held in her hand. This was Wyl's??!

Less than a moment later she held it up to her nose...

... and her eyes grew wide. It was Wyl's!! Where was he now? How long had he been here? How had he got here? How long would he be able to stay?

Eyes bright and her admonishment of her parents utterly forgotten, the girl fixed them both with a wide-eyed look.

"Where is he?!"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il smiled at the reaction, and at the myriad of thoughts that she could almost see turning the wheels in her daughter's head. It was such a thing to have her back! Almost overcome, the elder Lupine resisted the urge to simply wrap her arms around the girl and never let go.

But, she at least had the presence of mind to answer the question asked.

"He's spending the night with a friend he met. He'll be back in the morning."

[Teagan s'Ilancy]

At that, Teagan narrowed her eyes, and she clutched the shirt just a little bit tighter. He was at a friend's? Traces of her previously foul and dour expression returned, and her voice became demanding.

"Is it a girl's?"

[General Dan]

Dan, at a loss for how to respond to that one, deferred to Lok, who had a much better idea of the domestic comings and goings of their young Jedi visitor.

He did, however, smile at the turnabout of it all.

"My dear little Tak, that isn't jealousy I hear in your voice?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

For her part, s'Il was rather surprised at the tone of voice her daughter had taken, but it was more a matter of the jealousy lacing her few words. It was... not something that the Lupine was used to hearing. Perhaps it wasn't such a good thing to have their daughter spending time with the opposite sex just yet? Her only real experience with others of her own age had been the few little ones whenever they'd gone to the markets on Cathar, and Daani.

She watched as Teagan considered her father's words, and before she could respond, s'Il pulled away from Dan to approach the girl, taking the shirt and laying a gentle hand to her shoulder.

"Shoes. Now," she ordered quietly, "... we can talk about who Wyl is visiting over dinner."

She looked as though to argue, but Teagan thought for a few more moments on the merits of doing so. Obviously it wasn't important enough to postpone dinner for, and hurried back down the hallway and into her room.

A sigh, and the Lupine straightened, folding the rumpled shirt while looking to Dan.

"She gets that from you."

[General Dan]

Dan's brow knit in half-amused incredulity.

"Me? Jealous?"

He could see the unease in Lok's eyes at the thought of their daughter becoming 'boy crazy' so early.

"Honestly, as long as we can keep her honest, I'd rather it be done in plain sight rather than behind our backs. Did you listen to your parents about that when you were little? I didn't."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

It was a strange look that she gave him, and slowly placing the folded shirt onto the arm of the sofa, s'Il moved to stand beside him. Her hands clasped in front of her, and with a lifted chin, she looked away from him, towards the direction that their daughter had gone.

"Honest. That is almost a quandary, coming from you."

She made a face then.

"... and when I was her age, I was at the Temple. Boys were not exactly a part of the curriculum."

[General Dan]

"Well, let me tell you a bit about the real world."

Dan leaned in to whisper in her ear, smiling.

"Don't worry. I think kids are easier than we make them out to be sometimes. Let her run with a little freedom and responsibility, but always keep the leash measured out, I think."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

* * *


Their meal had been an enjoyable affair, with Teagan gravitating between mother and father almost incessantly. The entire family had spent more time talking than actually eating - even Tak had barely touched her food. She asked question after question, wondering about everything that had happened while she was away. It had been almost daunting, to answer each and every little thing that she asked, but it had been done.

By the time they'd found themselves back in their quarters, the old style chrono in the entryway read midnight, and s'Il noted with amusement that Teagan - carried gently in her father's arms - had fallen fast asleep on the return trip, her cheek on his shoulder and one arm slung around his neck.

The elder Lupine led the way through the front room and down the hall toward the small room at the end that had become Teagan's, smiling a gentle smile. Stepping to the side as she stepped through the open doorway, she let Dan pass with the exhausted, slumbering body he held.

[General Dan]

Dan eased Teagan down to bed, tucking her in with a gentle hand, and making sure not to disturb her sleep. He drew the covers to her shoulders, and eased back, eventually making it back to the doorway with Lok, and closed it shut.

"It's so good to have her back."

He looked to his wife, and put a hand at her face as they stood close.

"How does it feel, to have our family together again?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I feel... "

She looked up at him, his hand on her face warm.

"If my Master is satisfied with what I have done," she finally whispered, unable to take her eye from his, "... then I feel happiness. I feel whole.

"For now."

[General Dan]

Dan's smile turned into something knowing, and he looked to his apprentice.

"Enjoy what is yours. You know what your heart desires, and after our reunion is complete, we will reach out for more."

He thought about his words.

"As our daughter grows, she too will inherit the power we gain for ourselves."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Reaching up, the Lupine took his hand in hers, turning her head to kiss gently the palm of his hand before slowly starting for the doorway that led into their own room. As they walked, she kept a her hold on him, her fingers intertwined with his.

When she spoke again, her voice was low.

"She requires your mark."

[General Dan]

He nodded.

"It will be done, and in time, she will understand it's full meaning."

Pausing, he seemd to think about something far away and intangible.

"Something within the force shrouds our daughter's full destiny. I intend to lift the veil, and find her true potential. If the gift lies within her, she must be shown the way, and give herself to the dark side."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Slowing as they passed through the open doorway of their room, s'Il turned to face him. It was an odd movement; awkward in some sense, as she continued to walk backwards while pulling him with her, one hand firmly grasping his arm while the other traveled upwards to the nape of his neck. She pulled him close, desiring his proximity even as his scent filled her world.

He had allowed her the luxury of happiness at the first stages of their reunion with their daughter, and in light of his permissions, the Lupine gave herself over to the overwhelming fulfillment of it all. She knew that it would not last - the Dark Side would never let such a thing last, but in the thrall of this moment, she was taken. Utterly and completely she gave herself to the throes of wild emotion.

He had once told her that their little girl held the power of the Force within her - now she reassured him of that very same thing.

"She will be strong," the Lupine murmured, her lips at his ear as she stood on her toes, pressing against him.

"... and will carry your will to the stars."

[General Dan]

"Indeed she shall."

It was said without the inflection of irony that Decepis felt within, hidden away from his apprentice.

This facade had been necessary to ensnare her, but it made her weak. She still clung to it like a security blanket, and would need to slowly be weaned from the illusion of family.

The love Lok felt blinded her to the future. There were always two Sith. Did she believe he would tolerate her shortcomings forever, when he could be given a powerful child that he could mold into a more perfect apprentice?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There were times, after so long with him, that she could detect the vast, immeasurable years between them. When he became unreadable despite his words. It had always been enough to frustrate, but never enough to cause outright rebellion. More than anything, it caused the same feelings in her, and no matter the subject of his own introspection, she always found herself doing the same thing. It had become an inadvertent talent, of not knowing enough about him to divine his innermost thoughts, yet knowing enough to effectively shut him away from her own as well.

She froze, her lips still close to his ear. Presently, the Lupine pulled away. If she had so desired his praise before, it was more than apparent that she was indifferent to it all now. Slowly she pulled away, her hands sliding from their hold on him to fall at her sides as she gave a final look to his eyes.

She turned on her heel, a slow and deliberate movement meant to take her further into their room.

"It is late."

[General Dan]

He looked to his chrono as an afterthought.

"Ah, later than I thought."

So much the better to return to the mundane facade he was comfortable within and she depended on. Taking her hand in his, he returned with her to their own bedroom, pausing to look at the lazy starscape at their window.

"The last time we were united, we gave thought to the notion of quitting this war, and turning back to Schwartzweld."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"In a way, that hasn't changed. We're just a few steps away from that."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

With a gaze that followed his, s'Il watched the stars for only a few moments before turning her eyes away. It came as no surprise, the state of disarray that the bedsheets were in. Normally so meticulously made, she knew that their disturbed nature was only the product of his having been roused unceremoniously by a subordinate.

The Lupine kept herself from extricating her hand from his.

"How do you mean."

[General Dan]

"Once the Jedi are dealt with, and we take control of the Alliance, we can rule from your ancestral home."

He focused on a particularly bright star as it slowly trickled past.

"I forsee little to stand in our way after that point."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She thought on that, mulling over his words and wondering if such a thing would ever truly happen. There was always more to do...

"It will be a very long time until then, I believe," she finally murmured.

Finally, s'Il removed herself from his hold, turning to amble her way to the foot of the bed before lowering herself to sit with a tired feel to her motions. She looked to where she'd left him, still standing at the window.

"It is a nice gesture, what you say to me, but not feasible. It is too far away, outside of anything worth any importance to you. Place your seat of power where you wish it to be. Do not extend any kindness to me because you think I will cling any tighter to you."

The slump in her shoulders was not a defeated one, it was simply the byproduct of hearing his repeated promises contradicted by his very nature and desires.

"What you have done to me is finished. The hold is complete and unbreakable. If I do or say anything anymore," her gaze dropped to the thinly carpeted floor.

"... it is to remain desirable."

[General Dan]

His smile evaporated slowly.

"Pursue whatever you yourself desire. Once we have gained enough power, even the improbable can become certain."

He pulled off his coat, setting it on a hangar.

"But perhaps you're right. Perhaps it's longer than I say. Still, I remain undaunted."

He approached her again, a hand at her shoulder.

"It's late. We should sleep."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She looked to his hand at her shoulder, not quite ready to retire for the night.

"If I remain desirable," she started slowly, "it is only to keep for myself that which I want."

s'Il gave him a sideways look then, through half-closed eyes.

"I'm not completely selfless, you know."

[General Dan]

He offered a thin smile at her justifications.

"As with so many things, you find what you need from a certain point of view."

It was certainly a unique way to think about her quest.

"Then, by your deduction, you have seduced me?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Gently, she reached up to take his hand from her shoulder, pushing it away.

"I'm not so naive."

At that she stood, standing before him and beginning to undo the hastily buttoned uniform jacket that he'd thrown on. Slender fingers working the small metal buttons loose, one at a time starting from the top.

"Of course, for those like you and me, seduction can mean different things."

[General Dan]

The General rolled his shoulders out of his jacket as she freed him from it, and he gave a knowing nod to her as she spoke.

"Not naive at all. I think you're starting to understand the nature of things more than you ever have.

Desire is important and necessary. Not just to know what you seek and your drive to take it, but to discover that in others."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il held the jacket, thumbing the fabric of the sleeve and running a finger over the stiff neckline.

"It would seem that it is possible to be seduced by the very act, the very base emotions of desire."

[General Dan]

"So that one seduction fulfills another, and the same reciprocating?"

A smile crossed Dan's face.

"Woe to us both if one or the both of us ever find contentment."

It was a thought that, as a Sith, must be banished from possibility. They must both be driven at all times.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Oh, I do not think that contentment is to be found, even in that."

She shook her head, eyes closing as she moved to lay the article of clothing carefully along the top of a low dresser.

"There is always more to wish for, more to lust after."

The Lupine returned to stand before him, her husband. It was another of those small, nuanced touches that she'd come to see as having been under his watchful eyes from the beginning - that he would even go so far as to make her his in the matrimonial sense.

"You want control," she reached down to take his hand in hers, lifting it up to idly finger the ring he wore, "... and you have taken for yours through every means imaginable that which I am.

"But, the more that I learn, the more I change. What I become at each stage you reconquer. You have your daughter. With that done, I know you well enough - you desire a son as well now."

Finally her gaze went up to meet his. It was a strange look that she now gave to him. It was not entirely one meant to challenge or provoke, rather it held hunger; hunger for his knowledge, and the promise of eternal life.

She would live to see her future generations live and flourish. To rule the stars.

"At what point in my growth will you be unable to keep me under your heel."

[General Dan]

That was a thought that he desired to nurture, beyond all others.

"That will be for you to decide, but surely that day will come."

He considered her question. It was, in essence, the question of all Sith.

"One day you will usurp me as Master. I did not choose you to think that you would forever be beneath me. If your power waxes, and mine wanes, you will find no contentment, and you will destroy me. You must."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

A furrowed brow, and she dropped his hand to step past him, reaching up to rub along the back of her neck while her free hand undid the clasp of her leather belt. The off white overshirt came loose, and it wasn't long before the undershirt as well was free.

"Of course I will find no contentment. The fulfillment of what I may desire is nothing permanent, and only builds upon itself until I look for more."

Craning her head back, she looked to the paneled ceiling before closing her eyes.

"But what is more than the ability to live forever?"

[General Dan]

Ah, such metaphysical conversation. Dan eased onto the bed, laying back against the pillow as he considered her question.

"Living is only part of it. Doing is the other. Controlling, dominating, ruling, and bringing everything under your imagination under your thrall. Even eternal life has it's challenges."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her body moved fluidly as she slid onto the bed. Free from the trappings of her daily charade, the Lupine stretched muscles and tendons as she slowly made her way to the familiar side of the bed that she occupied nightly. So much had become an act to play out in the fabricated existence that he'd drawn her into, made her a part of. But there were still many times that she could take from it what she wanted.

Perched over him, she locked her gaze onto his. Every word that came from his mouth she devoured, and she ran a hand up over his chest to brush away the few errant strands of hair from his eyes.

"Then I am yours... "

There was the briefest moment as her eye yellowed, and like a tuskcat standing over its' felled prey, s'Il watched each minute twitch and inflection in his face. She leaned in, and her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper.

"... until you can no longer hold the leash."

[General Dan]

His eyes yellowed as well, the veil of the dark side drawn back ever so slightly.

"Until that day comes, you have a great many things left to learn. You will one day be even stronger than I am, but not yet."

A mirthless smile met her, as he looked away, back to the ceiling, pondering his apprentice's place at his side, and what it fully meant.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"You would make me beg for your attentions then," were her whispered words, lacking the true joy that his own smile had.

Straddled atop her Master, the Lupine let out a hissed breath as her hand, which had been so gently pulling grey hair from his face, now forcefully brought his eyes back to hers with a firm grip to his chin.

Her tongue traveled over the edges of her teeth.

"I'll not beg... "

[General Dan]

"I wouldn't have you if you did."

Dan's eyes met hers, and he eased her down to him, his lips meeting her own.

Beyond the two lovers, beyond the Master and the Apprentice, the stars passed by slowly in the window, marking time as Dan and Lok brought an end to their momentous day. They were now a family again. And soon, they would be ready to be much more.