Flashbacks- Fork in the Road (Finished)

[dalethria]

A few heads turned to watch the two new arrivals enter Rashall's Grill. The older woman was accompanied by a younger girl, who looked barely out of her teens. One could assume by their attire that they were freighter pilot's or if they liked to be on the other side of the law, smuggler's. The young girl looked around the area and frowned when there were no open tables. Her companion patted her on the back and pointed to two empty stools at the bar counter.

"Might as well grab ah cold one while we wait, huh?" She brushed back her short blond hair and led the way. The young girl's blue eyes narrowed. She really didn't like being here at all. Adjusting the heavy blaster at her hip, she followed suit.

When she took her seat, the older woman passed her a glass of namara juice. She could tell that her young friend wasn't happy. "Like ahm lettin ya drink alcohol. Jac would kill me."

"I suppose, Ellis." She took the glass in her hand and sipped.

Ellis shook her head and drank from her glass before speaking, "Alright, you and I need ta talk, Dalethria. Your suppose ta be takin over fer me on the ship. Ya can't keep leavin and comin back all the time. Ya gotta settle."

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat wanders into Rashall's and makes her way to one of the far corners. She sits, ordering ginger tea and yakitori, then closes her eyes as she reflects on her defeat at the duel sphere ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria sighed, "You know that I'm a wanderer by heart, especially with what has happened to me. It's just the way I am, Ellis. You know that."

Ellis shook her head, "That isn't the point, gal. Ya know we all trust ya, but you keep disappearing weeks on end sometimes. That isn't good fer business. Ya have responsibilites now."

She didn't say anything to that but just let her eyes wander around the restuarant. She noticed a few newcomers enter the busy Rashall's and a woman caught her attention. She walked right in and took a booth in the back like it was no big deal as she was stuck waiting.

"Oh that's nice," she said sarcastically.

"Whatcha talkin about?"

"Nevermind. It's not important." She took another sip of her juice before she continued, "I don't know Ellis. Perhaps if I didn't feel so out of place, maybe I wouldn't leave all the time."

[Sith Kat]

:: a burly man marches over to the table and knocks the plate away as Kat reaches for some food

THIS IS MY TABLE!!! I WAS HERE FIRST!!! GET OUT!!!

She locks eyes with him as he towers over her ::

[dalethria]

Ellis elbows Dalethria in the side and points with her chin to the corner where the commotion is, "So let me guess. That was the nothin ya were talkin about?"

She smiled, "Yeah. Should be interesting. Rashall doesn't have much entertainment."

[Sith Kat]

:: The man's jowels shake with rage as he bellows at her again ::

DID YOU HEAR ME, WENCH???!!!

:: He reaches out to grab her and gurgles as blood sprays the wall from his slit throat. She sheathes her kris knife, watching in amusement as he clutches the fatal wound. The look of astonishment on his face as he falls forward onto the table. ::

[dalethria]

Ellis sat up straight on her stool and couldn't believe what she just saw. The woman said nothing and was so fast. Dalethria on the other hand raised her glass, "Well that was disappointing."

Her friend turned to look at her as if she was nuts, "What?"

Dalethria grinned before the glass touched her lips, "I was hoping for it to last longer."

Ellis covered her face with a hand and sighed. Putting the glass down, Dalethria finally did notice something about this woman that she should have picked up earlier. Curse her lack of use in the Force. From what she sensed, that woman was Force Sensitive and not surprisingly the Dark Side was strong.

She shrugged it off and looked over at the barkeep in ammusement. The look on his face was utter shock and perhaps he wanted to say something but decided to get a waiter to send another plate of food over to the woman.

[Sith Kat]

:: she gazes around the room in disgust. Any hope of a peaceful meal was gone. Fear & shock kept everyone frozen for a moment, but it would wear off soon. It was time to leave. She spills a few credits onto the dead man's back and takes the yakitori from the nervous waiter. She glances at Dalethria briefly as she strides out of Rashall's ::

[dalethria]

"Well that settles it. Ah lost muh appetite." Ellis words almost echoed through the restaurtant, but it did break the silence. Patrons of the Rashall's finally exhaled the breath they were holding as the woman left the establishment.

"Aw, you never did have the stomach for such things." Dalethria chuckled and finished her drink.

Ellis made a face, "Nope. That's why blaster fire be quick an no blood. Just a smokin' crater."

Both of the women smiled and Ellis pulled out a few credits to pay for the drinks. As they stepped outside Dalethria shielded her eyes from the sun. "Man, noon already?"

"Yeah, ah better head over ta Torina an see what they want us haulin. Ah'll meetcha back 'ere in about an hour?"

"Sure thing. I want to check out this place since it's the first time I've been here."

"Alright, but please ... stay outta trouble Dalethria."

Dalethria pursed her lips and turned her head, looking appalled at Ellis, "Me? Trouble?"

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat walks slowly, cursing to herself as she looks for a quiet back street to sit down ::

[dalethria]

She weaved in and out of the stands. Different spices filled her nostrils with new scents that Dalethria never knew before. The market was busy. People pushing and shoving to get by, trying to find deals. Nothing caught her fancy as everything was pretty much up for sale in the general area.

Then she heard squeaks and small growls that were nearby. This peeked her curiosity and headed over that way. Not surprisingly, a small booth was set up that was selling alien creatures. Her eyes lit up when one little animal caught her attention. Stepping up to the booth, she looked over the ferret like species. It had big eyes and sharp claws made for clinging onto trees.

"Who would have thought. A tamaran."

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat senses a presence as she takes another bite of yakitori. She moves through the crowd and spies the same girl she saw at Rashall's, looking at the various creatures for sale. She stands at a distance, watching as she eats ::

[dalethria]

She grins and pulls out a piece of dried fruit from her rations, holding it out for the little tamaran to eat. It sniffs at it then carefully plucks it out of Dalethria's hand and starts to chew it.

"Hundred credits if you want it."

Dalethria looked up at the owner of the stand, "Oh no. I wasn't interested in buying. I haven't seen one of these in a long ..."

She grunted as someone bumped into her, and bumped into her hard. Dalethria almost fell to the ground but was able to get her balance back by leaning on the stand.

Swearing under breath, she turned around and shoved the being, "What the hell is your ..." noticing that what bumped into her was a big Kerestian (http://www.rancorpit.com/kerestian.html), "... problem?" Dalethria barely came up to its shoulder and its pale yellow skin glared back at her from the sun.

The being stared down at her and snarled, speaking in broken basic, "You push me when you in way."

Aw hell, she thought and noticed that two other Kerestians were flanking his side. Both of them started to reach for their weapons. Small blades called darksticks that could return to their owners and the "leader" went for his blaster.

And I said that I wasn't going to get into trouble.

Dalethria took a step back, "Okay, my apologies then."

She spun around, laying a fist across the Kerestians face and then sprinted away. Dalethria could tell that those darksticks were heading her way and dove down an alley to avoid being hit.

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat finishes the last bite of grilled chicken as she moves up behind the lead Kerestian. She pierces the back of his neck with the thin skewer, paralyzing him as he falls to the ground. She siezes control of the second one's arm as he turns, splitting his scalp open with his own weapon. Turning quickly, she faces off against the third with the darkstick in her hand and lets it fly ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria heard the weapons bounce off the stone wall and breathed a sigh of relief. Pulling out the heavy blaster at her side, she psyches herself up for a fight.

She moves up quickly and points the blaster to where the group of Kerestians were. "Alright you bastards! Come and get ..."

Two of them were already down and the third one was quickly finished off by a darkstick. Then the shock wore off and she recognized that her rescuer was the same woman that was in the restaurant.

Tilting her head to the side in thought and curiosity, Dalethria walked over to her and the fallen Kerestians. It was a rather awkward moment and she didn't really know what to say. So Dalethria said the first thing that came to mind. "Ah ... thanks for the assist."

[Sith Kat]

:: reaches down and places her boot against the last Kerestian's throat as she pulls the darkstick out of it's skull. She looks at the assembled crowd and frowns, walking away quickly before anymore trouble starts ::

[dalethria]

The woman looked up and started to walk off in a hurry. "What the?"

She was rather angry that the warrior just ignored her but then thought about it further. Kerestian's were known to be hired out as Bounty Hunters and or as personal guards for certain crimelords. Smuggler Strip wasn't too far away and also, this was going to be really bad if she got caught by the authorities here. Dalethria quickly picked up her legs and followed after the mysterious woman. She might have the right idea about getting away from the scene of the crime but Dalethria was too curious. Contact with any Force users was kept to a minimun since abadoning her short time training as a Sith. There was something about this one but she couldn't put a finger on it. This curiosity probably all stemmed from the fact Dalethria didn't like being ignored.

Dalethria finally got close enough to the blonde woman, but not too close, "Hey! Y'know? I was trying to thank you back there."

[Sith Kat]

:: she swiftly turns down a back alley, forcing Dale to pick up the pace or fall behind. She stops and looks around, making sure no one else followed before sitting down. She motions for Dale to sit as she examines the darkstick ::

[dalethria]

As soon as she hit the back alley herself, Dalethria broke into a small jog to catch up since the distance between her and the woman became quite wide. She was already sitting down when she turned the next corner and slowly started to walk towards her. Seems she wanted her to sit while she was looking at the strange blade.

Dalethria sat down near the blonde woman and wasn't sure what to say again. The darkstick that was in her hand wasn't on and it didn't look quite as menacing looking like a sliver boomerang. "If you press the button on the heavy end of the darkstick, the other end lights up black."

[Sith Kat]

:: blinks at Dale with a child-like expression ::

"My name is Kat."

[dalethria]

Is taken aback a little to a response like that. She smiles a little, "Mine's Dalethria. Think now that your not moving so much I can thank you for getting me out of trouble?"

[Sith Kat]

"Where is your friend?"

[dalethria]

She gets answered with a question. A rather odd question really. Perhaps that little save was part of a set up?

"She and I had other things to take care of."

[Sith Kat]

:: she looks up at Dalethria, staring deeply into her eyes ::

[dalethria]

The change from the killer she saw before to this almost innocent looking person actually made her feel uneasy. Perhaps that's why she was rather insistent on following her to "thank" her. Dalethria could have cared less but this woman was intriguing.

Now she had to sit a little straighter, taken offguard yet again to her being silent. She put up some sort of a mental defense. Something that she hadn't done in a long time since her brief training. Dalethria wasn't sure if the stranger was trying to read her thoughts or not.

She blinked a few times and had to break the silence, "What?"

[Sith Kat]

:: a satisfied grin spreads across her face as she activates the darkstick and throws it at the girl ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria eyes widen as she felt danger in the back of her mind. Instincts long buried came forth. She swong her right leg from underneath her to now be in a kneeling position and leaned back. Her right arm came up and caught the darkstick in mid-air.

It was a set-up. Dalethria cursed at herself for being stupid and her eyes darted around to see if there was anyone else coming before the fell back to the stranger. "Alright, what do you what before I impale you with this?"

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat's eyes gleam wickedly as she bursts into laughter. She stretches her legs out and leans back against the wall, uncaring of the danger she was in ::

"A second slower and you'd be dead. I'm impressed."

[dalethria]

She narrowed her eyes, quite sick of these stupid games, "I don't give a damn that I impressed you or not."

[Sith Kat]

"Anger ... how sweet. Why not kill me?"

[dalethria]

Her eyes opened in confusion but her hand never lowered the weapon. This person must be alone otherwise if this was a set-up, someone would have been here by now. "Why should I? From what I think, you could've killed me as soon as I entered the alley. I'd never have a chance."

[Sith Kat]

:: focuses on touching her mind again ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria could feel her trying to enter her mind and Kat was stronger then her. Her mental shield wouldn't last and no way in hell is anyone going to enter her mind. She rather be dead.

Dalethria sprang forward and grabbed her neck, causing Kat's head to bounce off the wall. The darkstick came to rest against her cheek, "What the bloody hell do you want with me?!"

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat's eyes widen in alarm at the swiftness of the attack, then she smiles again ::

"You're very strong. I was right about you."

[dalethria]

Dalethria shakes her head and the lines of anger disappear. Confusion sets in again but then swiftly turns to frustration. She lets go of Kat's neck and stands up. "I give up."

She tossed the darkstick across the alley, watching it embed into the wall, and then walked away.

[Sith Kat]

:: Dale hears a whisper in her mind ::

*** Become what you are. ***

:: When she turns, Kat is gone ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria turned back around. She had no love for the Sith any longer and enjoyed her new life but that is what she kept telling herself. If she was truly happy with where she was, why did she leave all the time? And why did it feel good to tap into the Force once again.

Damn woman making her think too much. Absently she looked to see what time it was and cursed. She was late in meeting up with Ellis. It would take a good twenty minutes to weave through the stands just to get back to Rashall's.

She started to make her way back, walking out of the alley. Oh well, she'd be in trouble ... again. What else was new?

[Sith Kat]

:: a soft whisper on the wind reaches Dalethria's ear ::

*** Dalethria ***

[dalethria]

Get outta my head damnit!

Dalethria turned around and pulled out her blaster, firing to where she thought the voice was coming from.

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat watches in delight as Ellis falls from the blaster wound to the chest ::

[dalethria]

Angry eyes turn to shock as Ellis falls helpless to the ground, shot by her own hand. "Aw krasst! NO!"

Dalethria ran back into the alley and over to Ellis. catching her before she hit the ground. It's already too late though. She died instantly from the blaster fire. Ellis was going to retire from smuggling and go back home. Dalethria was going to take her place but now she killed someone she thought of as a sister. What would she do now? What would the others do to her? How could they believe this was an accident?

She set Ellis down and stood up, searching around for Kat. Wondering where the hell the coward was hiding. Her blaster still had many charges left and no way in hell could she be that good to block and dodge all of them. She reached out with her senses trying to find out where Kat was, feeling for the Dark Side.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, YOU DUMB BITCH, SO I CAN BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!!!"

[Sith Kat]

:: Dale hears a snap hiss below her as Kat seemingly reappears out of thin air. She feels the heat of the sabre between her legs before she can react. Kat whispers into her ear from behind ::

"Here I am. Dalethria."

[dalethria]

Dalethria froze up, not wanting to make any movement. Not even breathe the wrong way. She had no clue where the hell Kat came from and that really made her realize just how rusty her abilities were. She wanted to swallow the lump in her throat but fought against it and didn't say anything. She just counted the seconds until Kat decided if she was going to die or not.

[Sith Kat]

"You want me dead. Why is that? You pulled the trigger, not me."

:: kisses Dalethria on the cheek ::

"So how did it feel to kill your friend?"

[dalethria]

Finally swallows the lump in her throat and doesn't care about the situation she's in. She speaks through clenched teeth, angry that Kat was making it out that this was her fault. "Your the one that tricked me."

Her eyes went to Ellis' body, "How did I feel? What the hell kinda question is that?!"

Then she thought about it more. With Ellis gone, Dalethria didn't have to be a part of something that she really didn't want. Or did she? A sigh escaped her lips as this was all so confusing.

[Sith Kat]

:: a shout from behind them breaks the silence and Kat hisses through her teeth. She shoves Dalethria forward and runs, slicing down the old man who got in her way ::

[dalethria]

Dalethria stumbled forward and fell to her knees. Turning back around, she watches as a small group of beings came into the alley to see what happened. Kat quickly cut down one of them and was starting to make a break for it.

She glanced over to the side to look at Ellis once more. She could either get her body back to her crew and leave. Or she could stay and deal with the authorities. First option meant that Kat was going to get away.

No way that was going to happen. She was in deep, might as well go all the way now. Pulling her blaster out in front of her, she shot down a Nimbanese (http://swcombine.com/rules/races/index.php3?race=Nimbanese) to clear a path and ran after Kat.

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat runs down the street with Dale in hot pursuit, a giggle bubbling up in her throat as she feels the hatred in the girl ::

[dalethria]

She shoved people out of her way, trying hard to keep focus on Kat in front of her. Dalethria held the blaster up and couldn't get a clear shot, her vision filled with too much chaos. For once, after so many months of not using it, she really wished she had her sabres. So much easier to slice through this crowd then push past them.

Finally the crowd broke up somewhat and she opened fired on Kat. Two innocent bystanders fell in the cross fire and she cursed. She saw blond hair turn around a corner and cursed her bad luck but still ran as fast as she could to try and catch up.

[Sith Kat]

:: Dale flies head over heels as she rounds the corner, red pain exploding in her skull as she lands on her back ::

"You're strong and quick, but it's not good enough."

:: a kick sends her blaster skittering down the alley, out of Dale's reach ::

[dalethria]

She groaned and fought hard to fight of the stars and the pounding in her head. Dalethria couldn't think straight at all. When she opened her eyes, there were two Kat's looming over her and at this point, she wasn't sure if it was a trick or if it was because of the hit to the head.

Swallowing hard, she winced as she tried pulling herself up to a sitting position. Didn't do any good as she fell right on her back again, "Fine. You got the point across. Just get it over with already."

[Sith Kat]

:: Kat sits down cross-legged in front of Dale and smiles ::

"You want me to kill you?"

:: she tilts her head to the side like an animal ::

"Become what you are, Dalethria. You're like me."

[dalethria]

If she could stop the ringing in her head, she would call her weapon back to her hand and blow that smile right off of Kat's face.

She rubbed her forehead and her upper lip twitched in pain, "Well, what else do Sith do but kill. Besides, I have nothing to live for since you took it all away. Be a fitting end."

Then she thought about it more with Kat's last statement and looked at her intently. At least now there was one of her but she couldn't help feeling that there was truth to what she said.

[Sith Kat]

:: she leans down closer to dale's face with a sneer ::

"No. I've given you a greater reason for living. The Sith Empire is waiting. Tell them that I sent you."

:: she rises to her feet and strides away ::

[dalethria]

She finally got up to a sitting position and watched Kat walk away. Mulling over the situation, not many options could be held. Dalethria could not go back to Jac at all. How the hell could she explain Ellis?

Sighing, Dalethria stood up and brushed herself off. She had nothing left and Kat could have killed her if she really wanted to. She never thought a sign for her to come back to the Sith ways would end up being so painful. Well, she had nothing to loose and everything to gain if what Kat said was true. That Dalethria was just like Kat.

Chuckling, she never could see that happening. Darkside or not, she still was her own person and never would end up being so ... primal. Yes ... that is what she sensed from Kat all this time. It was easy to realize that since the ringing stopped in her head.

She picked up her blaster and ignored the vagabonds that loitered around the area as she headed back to the hotel. If she was going to return to the ways of the Sith, she had to pick up her sabres and few personal belongings. Then disappear without a trace, hoping that Jac would never track her down.

As she was walking down the alley, she suddenly busted out laughing. Go the Sith Empire. She have to find the damn place first and with all the stress of today's events, she just couldn't help thinking that was so hilarious.

It just one test after another.

[Dalethria Mal Pannis]

OOC~ Here is what inspired this (http://pub2.ezboard.com/fswvstitanicmiscellaneous.showMessage?topicID=322. topic). :lol: I thought making an actual story with Kat be cool which led my character joining (http://pub4.ezboard.com/framashathewedding.showMessage?topicID=230.topic) in the insanity. ^_^