The Dark Academy on Korriban

As he speaks, her eyes remained lowered to the ground.

"It's some comfort..." she admits and moves closer to him. "My mother always said that through duty and loyalty, there would be no need to worry or fear, because there was strength in that bond. Father would say that I should gain strength from my feelings, and never try to shut them away."

She curls up close to him. "Of course, when I was really small, mother would hold me. I wasn't afraid very often, not that I remember at least, but the rare times, I remember she would hold me... and I could feel her strength."

Zeno wraps his arms around her, keeping her close and warm under the cover of the blanket. "Yes, well, the lesson that I am more thankful for, was from my mother. And I've already touched on that. Trust and faith in comrades. When you don't have the strength to do something on your own, when fear of failure would hold you back, come at your problems with overwhelming force."

He gently runs his fingers through her hair, trying to be as comforting as he knew how.

"The empire is not one man. No single sith, citizen or slave makes it work. It is a combined effort. Sometimes when we have something to face we have to do it alone. Surviving such trials makes us stronger. Sometimes we can face them with our allies, and that makes all of us stronger."

She nods and wraps an arm around him.

"... Promise me you won't do anything to me if I fall asleep," her voice comes out weary and exhausted. It probably sounded like a weird requested, but she didn't care. She had never felt comfortable sleeping close to others, and yet, now she couldn't even think of possibly regaining her strength enough to even consider walking back to her own tent later.

"I promise. You saved me from a fate worse than death. I would die before I hurt you Shaisha," he says quietly, kissing her on the forehead. "I want you to rest easy. I'm here for you like you were for me."

"Thank you," she smiles weakly, but sincerely.

"I wouldn't want you to die too easily, though. I'd be very sad if you did."

"Death is just another eventuality for me. But I will try my best not to for you," he says quietly.

After a moment, he began softly singing the gentle lullaby she'd remember from so many days ago on Korriban. All the while he simply held her, rubbing her back in time to the song in smaller and smaller circles, until he came to a rest at the end of it.

Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And I
Will be

Her mind was able to tune out as she heard his voice singing, and she felt herself relax enough to close her eyes.

So tired...

Even as sleep started to find its grip on her, she held onto him firmly. As she slips into slumber, a single tear forms in her eye, moistening her eyelashes, and she murmurs. "I'm sorry, father..."

"Don't be sorry," he whispers, kissing the tear away gently. "Be you."

He dares not move as she is so close to sleep, remaining still and quiet and holding her secure and safe.

His words were not heard, but his actions would be remembered when they awoke again.


/scene