The Dark Academy on Korriban

"It was... poorly executed on his part," she said, a hint of that hurt in her tone. Turning her head to the side a bit as she used to when she would brush some of her hair back at those more stressful moments. Never thinking to move her right hand for it she sat there for a second before it clicked.

Looking down she tried to escape the realization that created again.

"Having Weaver and you there made it easier for me to keep myself together. I don't normally admit that. However today I can make the exception."

She couldn't help but to smile. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

With her free hand, still holding Kristal's hand in the other, Shaisha leaned closer and brushed Kristal's hand away from her face.

"We'll get you the best treatment, you know."

There was a touch of appreciation, but also a touch of something else. Pain, uselessness, some weird combination and mixture of those two. It was soul crushing, everything about it. Kristal was trying really hard to look to the positive, that was clear enough but it was certainly difficult in the wake of everything.

"What about our ruse?" she said, trying at some humor to keep the mood light for the both of them. "We're supposed to hate each other right now. Remember?"

"Meh. Screw that," she lowered her voice. "Much easier to hate Syl now that at least one person knows what happened between you two, and then this whole scene."

"... I just couldn't stand by while this was happening."

With a tired laugh she added with some sense of humor, "I'm not great at lying, makes for a better ruse this way."

"I am glad I have you," she said with a tired voice. Making it feel as honest as it was.

"And I'm glad I have you too," she nodded with a sisterly smile and caressed Kristal's cheek. If Sylvain had been her brother for the past years, then Kristal had been her older sister that had always looked out for her.

Now it was her turn to look out for Kristal.

"Try to get some sleep while the pain-killers are still working. You'll need all the rest you can get."

There was a warmth to the smile in return, sisterly, appreciative. Giving a light nod as she accepted the advice. It was certainly good advice, though there was something in her mind still to do she wasn't quite in the position to do it right now. Resting herself back down on the cot she squeezed Shaisha's hand again. Holding it there like that for a few seconds.

Looking toward the space above her she spoke, words quiet, soft almost, "Stay with me."

At least until she fell asleep. Holding Shaisha's hand continue to help her forget about the other. With that support, she might even manage to fall asleep.

"I will."

She had no plans for the night. Some others were celebrating. The thought of joining them had occurred to her earlier; join in the revelry, get drunk, snuggle up with someone handsome... all that had left her mind when she caught word of Kristal being severely injured.

Kristal who in her wisdom had not abandoned her after what she had done. To be there for her was the least she could do.

Holding Kristal's hand, she shot a brief smile and nod to Harad, taking notice of his cybernetics. That will be the future for Kris too...

Without Shaisha, Harad, Weaver and the others she may have never found a moment where she could even think about being able to rest.

From Harad she got a glimpse of hope for the future of herself. That she might not be completely lost because of this day and yet she was still torn down. Still her soul hurt for knowing that she would never be able to feel again with her left hand, to feel someones skin or touch. Never able to fully feel like she was holding someone ever again.

From Weaver, she got a glimpse of hope for the future of the Empire for the future of her goals. Weaver stood up to Sylvain for her. From that she saw that loyalty was possible even with all the crushing events over the past few days to the contrary. Not everything in the Empire was lost. There were still those she wanted to fight for.

Shaisha, who embodied pieces of both of them. A friend. One she could trust, despite knowing she was capable of mistakes just like anyone else. Someone who even hurt her once. Kristal was capable of moving forward with the best step possible. Shaisha was a true friend, something she needed right now when she had no one else to be there for her.

All of this didn't quite match up to the soul crushing realization she was forever changed for the worse. The loss was far greater than she could have ever realized. Between it and Sylvain she could barely consider how she could move forward. Without these things, these three groups of people she couldn't dare think of where she might have been in this moment.

Though it didn't make up for her losses, it allowed her a chance. With Shaisha's hand in her own she could find some semblance of peace enough to close her eyes and get some rest.

Sylvain found himself walking through the encampment back to the medical tent after finishing his conversation with Baras.

Standing a few meters away from the entrance, he closed his eyes and sought for the courage to do what he needed to do.

Shaisha's request from earlier in the day that he take it easy had gone completely overlooked. He thought of the scene he had made, the problems he had caused, and he had walked his way back to the tent to go in and apologize for his brashness. She'd have to understand that his love for her was too much for him to control... Surely they would both see the error of their ways if he only had a chance to explain it to them...

They don't want you Syl... they don't need you anymore... You've played out your usefulness to them, and they don't need your love any more.

He stood staring at the flap of the tent.

How could they not want me? I offer everything and ask for nothing but their acceptance... I would die for them... I would and have killed for them... For 15 years they have needed me... Why not now?

He glanced down at his datapad, which had a picture of the three of them together in Kaas City as a screensaver.

Why should you care what they think of you? They obviously don't have the foresight to see what they are going to miss from you... They care noting for the 15 years you have stood beside them. They give priority to those fools who messed up your conversation with Kris. They have betrayed you, and made you feel that you are the traitor. You willingly look past their flaws, but they will not do the same for you. They have convinced you that you are not good enough for them... You are better than they realize. You are stronger than they will ever know... Could they have fallen on the sword like you have? Could they sacrifice everything to achieve their goals? No... and instead they mock you for your strength of conviction.

He closed up his datapad and put it away.

All I wanted was to make her happy...

He takes a step towards the entrance.

Then do as she says... Walk away... and show them how wrong they were to cast you aside... The day will come when they realize their error... and then you will have the ability to grant their happiness if you so choose... Or make them pay for their betrayal... Either way... you win.

Sylvain stops in his tracks and whispers, "Alright Kris... have it your way..."

He then turns and recedes into the camp, leaving behind more than just his friends.