The Dark Academy on Korriban

"Here I was worried all we earned from those stunts were a few cuts and bruises," she teased as she found some peace here with Shaisha.

Kristal momentarily thought of her own encounter with a Stun grenade, it was... awkwardly not the worst thing she experienced that day. Though perhaps that was her surprisingly well put together constitution.

"That Stun grenade could very well be what brings her back alive."

"We'll see. I also picked up one of these sweet little babies," she held up a hand and the faint glow of electricity could be seen running around some small wires on its palms. "One of those Shock Gloves I've seen street fighters use. Been told it can knock out a man... no idea how well it works on powerful Sith ghosts though."

After sending another message, she slipped away the datapad.

"You might be able to use it better than me. You were always better at the brawls than I were."

"Now I hope that wasn't the hand you had on my back a moment ago," she said with a smirk.

"I won't claim to the skill, but I've certainly never shy'd away from a fight if one was placed in front of me. You're quite the source of gadgets and tools lately."

She chuckled. "Maybe it was...?" And made her best innocent pouty-face.

"You know me, I have fancy for gadgets. Besides, I'm not as good in a fight as a lot of the other people here are, I need to make up for my physical shortcomings by being the smarter fighter. Not sure if father would approve or disapprove of that... he hasn't let me forget that when he finished his training on Dromund Kaas, he was on the top of his class." Her smile dimmed as she wasn't sure how Kristal would react to hearing about him in such a casual conversation.

Kristal gave a light shove at Shaisha's shoulder when she tried to play innocent. There was a smile.

One that dimmed a bit at the mention of the man. For a few seconds it was quite and then she admitted to something, "I need to be honest with you Shaisha. I wanted to kill that man the moment I saw him as he killed my father, and in truth... I still do. But I don't think I could do that to you. I suppose my solace remains in the acceptance that I could not possibly kill him even if I gave everything I had. That if I tried, it would merely be wasting my own life," Kristal said with a sincere honesty. Not sure how Shaisha would react to that, not sure how she wanted her to.

"I don't blame you," she admitted with something of a sigh. "I would feel the same way, were our positions reversed. Though I would advise you not to try it; not because I don't want to see him killed by you, but because I don't want you killed by him."

"To be honest, I both love him and hate him... and have done so for these past years. He is my father, and I can't help but to remember the good times, so to speak. From the time before he was the man he is now. I hate what he has become, what he has put me through. That he could not be there for me when I needed him the most." Shaisha shook her head. "And still... here I am, wanting his approval and love more than anything else. To be worthy of him, and not be the burden I've felt I've been."

"Life is weird that way."

Kristal was certainly strange sometimes, but she knew one thing that helped make a point true. Leaning up, reaching over, she reached out with a curled pointer finger. Resting it under Shaisha's chin to where the edge of her chin rested just on her knuckled. Pulling the other woman's head up a bit with it she spoke, "One of the greatest things I have never understood is how your father could willingly separate himself from a daughter like you. If you had been my sister I dare say I might have had to fight for my father's affection," she teased a bit.

Letting her hand fall back to her side she continued. "I'm more sensible than to do something like that for revenge, but your words do show me that killing him is something I could never do to you. There is still something you need from him and I will not rob you of that even if I had the chance. But do not ever think yourself a burden because of your father. He is not worthy of it."

"Thanks," she smiled warmly to her friend, thinking it funny how she felt the whole thing had made her feel closer to Kristal, while Sylvain was the one she was slipping away from.

"I suspect that being the Emperor's Wrath doesn't allow for much time to take care of family, especially a young child like I was," she shrugged. "As he's said to me before, everything he does has a reason, even if I don't understand them. Adding that on top of how he has changed after assuming that position, I suspect there's a lot going on that I don't understand. I hope he will one day entrust me with some of it."

She chuckled and put a hand on Kristal's arm. "You're the closest thing I have to a sister, Kris. And I feel mighty proud to have grown up with you... Even when all our trials are done, and we go our separate ways with different masters, know that I will be there if you call for me. Even if it's just to give a wedgie to sons of a kath-hound, like Syl."

Kristal smiled a simple, warm, smile as Shaisha put her hand on her arm. It was reassuring to have someone close. Even if she didn't ever really want to admit it so openly.

"Good. I have always thought of you as family Shaisha, always will. Even Sylvain despite him having his head stuck in the mud right now. I'm glad you waited two hundred years to wake up and grow up with us. I truly don't know how different my life would have been but it would have certainly been for the worse."

There was a bit of unease, but she soldiered through it and decided to mention, "I will always be there for you Shaisha. I'll fight half way across the galaxy if you need me at your side, and I hope you will always tell me when you do. I hope when the time comes to face whatever machinations are in place surrounding your displacement through time that you will be able to allow yourself to seek me out. That isn't something you will be able to handle alone. Not from lack of ability, but whatever it is they will be expecting you."

She had always suspected that whatever she would do to get to the bottom of things, they would know. But it still was annoying to hear it, to be reminded of how badly outmatched she was.

"... Thank you," she said sincerely. That Kristal would still stand by her side, it meant much to her, especially after all that happened. "I won't forget that."

Though she did have the thought that if it wasn't for her, then Kristal's father was probably still alive.

"... How is your mother doing?" she asked cautiously, unsure how the topic would affect Kristal.

Kristal was straightforward. It brought her so much pain over these past weeks, but it also is what allowed her to see things as they were. Which didn't prove to be infallible as she allowed herself to be blinded to a few things. Not again though.

"Alive, last I spoke to her. Safe," she spoke with enough confidence that it seemed sure. At the very least Kristal was sure.

"Good," she nodded, with some relief. "I'm glad to hear she is safe. Considering who she birthed, she must be the toughest woman in the galaxy." Shaisha grinned, even if she meant it in earnest.

"I know you said Marr has acted on her behalf already, and it could probably be possible for me to suggest to Vowrawn that she is to be protected. Neither of them like Baras, after all."

"Thank you," she said, placing her hand on Shaisha's that rested on her arm. "However, that will not be necessary,. My mother is a Serasai, she will survive... she is.. away." Kristal knew Shaisha was good enough at reading the less than directly spoken meaning. Arlena Serasai was no longer in Imperial Space.

"I see... I hope she will be safe where she goes. And that you two will see eachother again," she offered a consolating smile to her sister-like friend. "A mother is a special thing to a daughter, after all."

"Now, something more cheerful to talk about; how should I punish Sylvain in the morning? Rude awakening with a knife would certainly send a message."

The sudden change brought about a smile that was a touch warmer than her usual ones. Humor after a day of hurt felt all the better. Especially when it was directed at the expense of one who wronged you.

"Revenge of that sort isn't my strong suit, but whatever you come up with will certainly amuse. Do take proof of it, video if you can."

"Oooh, good one. I will certainly have to video it, for your viewing pleasure," she grinned eagerly. "Or just to embarrass him in the future. If I fail to get a Massassi souvenir for Vowrawn, he might enjoy the chance of seeing Baras' public apprentice humiliated."

"Careful, show it to Vowrawn and it may very well become the next Council meeting." The line between joking and the fact that from what they saw that could very well be what a Council meeting devolved to was thin.

"It would certainly make the next Council meeting more interesting," she mused with wicked glee. "Pity we might not be there to see it though... I don't know if it's custom for the apprentices to be present."

"We'll just have to earn our seats all the more quickly then," she said with a grin.

Kristal just let out a long sigh after that as she let herself fall back against the grass and dirt behind them once again.

"I need a damn drink."