The Dark Academy on Korriban

Sylvain walked down the halls with his belongings strung over his back as he worked his way towards the shuttle that would take him to his new assignment. His mother had gone on ahead to get comfortable on her shuttle. Sylvain spent a few moments walking down the corridors that he had spent so much time in the past two years.

Passing by Kristal's room he put a hand on the door gently for a moment before starting back along his course...

Unable to sleep, and still with the task of packing hanging over her, Shaisha decided to walk around to work her mind after her time spent with Zeno.

Rounding the corner, she suddenly spotted Sylvain only a few few away.

"Oh. Hey...?" she leaned a bit to the side, noticing that he seemed to be carrying his luggage. "Leaving?"

His smile was hidden by his mask, but he removed it while turning to look at Shaisha, "I thought I could slip away quietly, but I guess you're too clever for that."

He smiled at her, "You looked lovely tonight by the way. Thanks for the song."

"Didn't look to bad yourself," she smiled a little. "You've gotten better at singing too..."

Shaisha glanced around, as if looking for someone. "Just you?"

He chuckled, "Just me. Mom's on the shuttle."

Then smiling, "I made some decisions today... Much later than I should have maybe, but they've been made."

"Is it something you want to talk about?" she asked, stepping closer.

He smiled gently, "I suppose so... Keeping all the secrets to myself can be a tiring process."

He leaned his back against the wall and set down his baggage. "'The Twi'lek' as you like to refer to her, and I are over. It came to a decision of choosing to keep going on with her, or to keep going with you and Kris... I hate to hurt her, but there is no other way. For you and Kris mean a great deal more to me."

She wanted to say something like 'told you so', but she knew Sylvain well enough that it probably weighed heavy on him.

"She asked you to choose her or us? That's cold. Asking you to completely cut off people you've known most of your life. Might as well have asked you to drop the Torsin name and cut off contact with your mother."

"She obviously misunderstood the relationship, despite my best attempts to be clear with her from the onset... Not being great at getting that done though has hallmark of my recent experience in relationships; so I understand the reasons for her anger and frustration... even if she played her hand incorrectly."

He nodded, "If nothing else, it's helped remind me of where exactly my strength comes from. My strength comes from those that I can trust to be at my side and push me to be the man I would like to be, rather than the man someone else would like me to be."

He offered a half-smile over to Shaisha, "It's a shame I had to act like a jackass to fully learn that lesson. But I know for sure it's one I won't forget."

Shaisha reached out and gave his shoulder a firm squeeze.

"The three of us might fight, and hate eachother for a while, but I think we'll end up drifting close together again. We have the strength of our shared experiences to fall back on, after all. It's a shame it turned out like this, though... the drama between you and Kris, and then this not working out for you."

She offered a consolating smile. "I would never settle for someone who would want me to choose between you and them."

He smiled, "Neither would I... I know we're all supposed to break the chains and what not... but what we get from each other is more than what we get on our own. I trust Kris will remember that when she's ready... at least I hope she does... Or else I'll be pretty damn envious of you."

He chuckled lightly, "You got anyone vying for your attention? To steal you away from us?"

"They are only chains if we let them be. It's not a chain when it's a strength that can give us power," she retorted. "It would be like saying that emotions are our chains; people will always have people they care about, one way or another."

As he asked about her love-life, she made a face.

"Some might be trying, but I'm not ready for that kind of committment, to be honest. For now, I consider it more like making a friend outside of you and Kris for the first time... you know I don't open up myself easily to others."

He nodded, "Who is the lucky man?"

"Zeno..." She said with some hesitation.

"I've made it clear I'm not ready for a committed relationship, but I'm willing to try a friendship."

He smiled, "Zeno huh? He's a good enough man... some baggage, but a good man."

Then tilting his head slightly and smiled warmly, "How'd he earn the attention of my little Shai-Shai?"

"He's... been a friend, and been a support when I was pretty far down on Yavin."

She was a bit uncertain about what she truly felt.

"Thing is, I like someone else too, and like you, I have to make a choice at some point, but the coming months will give me plenty of time to think about it. I'm not rushing on this."

He smiled, "Coming from one who knows that dilemma well, I would say that is the best course. For me... I was a bit too emotionally invested... probably rushed things with Kris. Waiting for years for her to come around... and then screwed it up... I hope I won't have to wait years and years more."

He then chuckled, "You need to tell me who bachelor #2 is though... so I know who you will be leaking all my secrets to when you can't keep your mouth shut."

"Hah, I'm an expert at keeping secrets." She snorted a brief laugh.

"... Jo'ren Rath."

He chuckled, "I'm sure you are... Rath huh? When Vengean comes knocking on my door I'll know I have you to thank for it." He said with a wink.

"And you will be drawing Vengean's ire? Now you're being more foolish than I thought." She chuckled.

"He could maybe be your ally, you know."

He smiled, "I'll consider it... on the recommendation of one I trust."

He tilted his head to the door, "You'll keep me informed of how much she hates me right?"

"When I can, I will try," she said with a nod. "I don't know how much time we will both have to chat, but I will do my best to keep in touch. With both of you."

"We spoke this morning... she still cares for you, but the betrayal hurt her deeply. It will take time."

He nodded and his lips tightened a bit in a look of understanding.

"I need her... probably more than she needs me at this point..." He smiled weakly, "Makes me better. Makes me stronger... Makes my mind clearer."

He struggled to contain the feelings that he held for her. His face contorted strangely for a moment before turning back into a smile.

"My dad... before he died talked to me about how he felt about my mom... Called her his 'moon and stars'. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say Kris is that for me... Do you know what that is like?"

Shaisha thought about how she felt about Syl and Kris, Jo'ren and Zeno... And her father.

"In a way, I guess, but not quite, no... Nothing quite like that."

He smiles weakly, "It's fairly disorienting when you don't have the moon or stars to go by at night..."

He then put a hand on her shoulder, "You're a bit more independent than I am... maybe you won't need it. But I do recommend it... And recommend not screwing it up like I have."

He then kissed her on the forehead. "It's weird... I'm going home, but it's not home... Without you two there, I don't know how I'll entertain myself."