Mission Impossible

There wasn’t much call for the Jedi on Alderaan, its untold beauty and steadfast monarchy did not attract much opposition or unseemly criminal activity. It was a planet of wealth, prosperity, peace and culture – a place a Jedi would surely be attracted too but rarely denied the opportunity to visit on missions. Lilith herself had never been but she’d been told about its rolling grasslands, shimmering lakes and grand noble estates by other Jedi who all worn the same peaceful expression one gets when recalling something particularly exquisite. So it came as no surprise to the Jedi on Coruscant when Lilth declared she was intended to travel there for her first voyage out into the galaxy unassisted, unescorted. They had offered placating smiles and thought to themselves that few could resist the lure of the ‘shining star’ that the core world was. It was a perfect first voyage for a new Jedi Knight to make; surely she could get into no trouble or find no harm on Alderaan.

Those Jedi were wrong.

Lilith found herself days later on one of Alderaan’s landing docks disembarking from the passenger liner with dozens of others who wanted a taste of the planets spoils. There were families on holiday, nobles on permanent vacations and traders with an abundance of stock. There were apprentices of all kinds; architects, chefs and tailors come to learn from the grand academy and artists galore. There were no other Jedi that she could spot; being a Miraluka she would have easily picked their aura up from the hustle and bustle of the crowd. She caught glimpses of swirling potential but nothing substantial, for the first time it seemed she was truly alone.

Being a practical sort the first thing she did was look for a place to stay and she followed the flow of people as they filtered into the capital city of Aldera. Buildings towered around her as on Coruscant but instead of feeling claustrophobic they stood merely as testaments of Alderaan’s ingenuity, gilded spires which reached to stroke the heavens above. Lilth looked on in muted awe, seeing without using her eyes as she strolled through the city streets looking for a local inn watching idly as the flags of the royal palace rippled in the wind. Sometimes she wondered what other beings saw when they cast their eyes about, could they see how the world pulsated with life? She knew her species often made other uncomfortable, many could not understand how they could see when their eyes were covered and most people despite believing in the Jedi had trouble with the concept of the force. She did not feel she would have any problem here though; these people were used to multiculturalism, even if she did bother them though she doubted their refined manners would allow them to show it. In fact the few glazes she drew weren’t due to the fact she managed to be nimble on her feet despite the veil, no it was because of her ivory smooth skin, her blush of her pale pink lips and the slope of her youthful breasts beneath her robes. It was the unconscious way her hips swayed as she walked and the tapered hands which peeked out from the sleeve of her garment. She was a beautiful, exotic creature truly befitting the atmosphere that Alderaan exuded but completely unaware of the fact. Being eighteen and a Jedi, she’d never even considered her sexual identity let alone how she might affect others with it before.

As she ventured into the inn away from the longing looks it occurred to her that Alderaan was a beautiful planet; undoubtedly the tales people spun about its glory were true. Lilith admired it but did not allowed herself to become distracted by it, she was not here for its beauty. She'd kept her silence on Coruscant merely because the other Jedi probably would have chastised her, perhaps calling her pessimistic because secretly in her heart of hearts Lilth didn’t believe everything on this planet could be as wonderful as everyone claimed. A world without corruption, without crime or whispers of revolution, a world that not even rumours of an impending war could touch? Not even Coruscant could manage that, no surely not. Lilith didn’t wish harm on anyone but she was curious and emboldened by her new rank she was determined to find out the truth, if there was any to be had for herself.

Alderaan. Like most jewels, Orlan liked the feel of it. While he could not possess this one particular jewel, he owned several little parts of it, the little parts that he liked and kept for himself. His other, less legal activities did not touch his time on Alderaan, and he liked the freedom from that side of his life as well. Orlan was not a criminal mastermind for the kicks, it was purely a sinister means to a financial end. And what an end it was. While Orlan could have lived in a lavish lifestyle his whole life based solely on the revenue from his properties on Alderaan alone, a lifestyle was not all that he needed to buy. But that was neither here nor there at this point in time. The pressures of dealing with the pirate captains that worked for his shadowy alter ego, or avoiding the wrath of the Hutts or criminal gangs that happened to run in the same circles, were not the pressures of right now.

The seat beneath him was soft and comfortable, the wine goblet in his hand was crafted of finest synthesized crystal and contained the most exquisite vintage of wine. On this planet, Orlan could be the hedonist he was meant to be. He was sitting at his own, private table in one of his preferred inns within the city. The two women that waited on his table were clearly vying for the very generous tips he was known to bequeath to those who pleased him, and the looks on their faces told him all he needed to know about how far they would go to please him. The Muun across the table from him was putting his datapads in order and preparing to leave. The meeting had been formality only, trifles of information about interest rates and the fluctuating prices of shipping. Boring, but Orlan knew that if he did not keep an eye on such meetings, the Muun's would begin to doubt that he was up to their standard. A delicate game of cloak and dagger, the best kind to be played.

He had not noticed the Jedi enter, but Orlan was having trouble not noticing her now. To call her figure enticing would be a vast understatement. He had nothing to fear from a Jedi unless he started to act suspiciously, and judging from the sway of her hips, he might have a lot to gain. Part of the reason Orlan was so willing to immerse himself in the perks of his lifestyle was that he could wrap his pleasure in them around him like a cloak, pushing himself so deeply into the physical that he never registered as Force sensitive. It was a skill he knew would be vital to continue playing his little games, so he had tested it many times. Both times he had met Jedi Master Windu the great Jedi had never even suspected, and that was the way Orlan liked to keep it.

How would he approach her, he wondered? Like many things, Orlan considered the bold, honest approach to be the best. He rose from his chair slowly, offering a few final, kind words to the departing Muun, and began to glide across the floor towards the Jedi. The grace in his form spoke of years of formal dance training as befitting of someone of his station, and if one knew how to look, it was easy to see how that same grace and elegance extended so well into his lightsabre style. He let his eyes enjoy her for a little moment longer before closing the gap between the two, speaking gently, but with conviction.

"I have been visiting this lovely little planet for over ten years, and this is the first time I have seen something amazing enough to take my breath away."

Upon entering the establishment Lilith found herself immediately faced with a choice, on the right was a turbo lift, the left a restaurant/bar already buzzing with noonday activity and straight ahead the reception. As the lift wouldn’t help her and the reception was oddly unattended she had no other alternative but go left into the bar. Later she would look back on that moment and wonder if the Force guiding her, making sure the reception was closed to force her to go into the bar but for now Lilith paid little attention to her surroundings as she strode confidently to the counter to speak to what appeared to be the owner and arrange a room. On her way through the room she had her bottom pinched and was propositioned by a slurry speaking gentlemen but none of those broke her peaceful countenance or stride and she offered the owner a gentle smile as if nothing had happened at all and requested a room. He assured her he had one but had to excuse himself quickly a moment as he noticed a regular trying his hand at a free shot by helping himself over the bar. Of course Lilith said she would wait and folded her hands patiently on the bar.

Other beings only had a limited scope of vision, they could only see what there eyes let them straight ahead and glimpses to the side. It was different for her; through the Force she saw the room in its entirety but only paid attention to that she needed. Everything she actively focused on was vivid and pulsating; the rest had ragged edges and was undefined. Nevertheless she knew someone was approaching her even through he came from behind, she knew he had been watching her but sensed no threat from him so paid him little heed until he spoke. "I have been visiting this lovely little planet for over ten years, and this is the first time I have seen something amazing enough to take my breath away." She smiled vaguely to herself now there was a line. She pulled her hood down absentmindedly and let her hair – the colour of the deepest part of the galaxy but silken in quality curl around her shoulders freely. She thought she was prepared for him as she turned to face him, actually take notice of him but oh how wrong she was. Beneath her veil the slits of her eyes widened faintly in pure instinctual shock, he was a most handsome man and it touched her like never before. She didn’t understand why her heart skipped a beat when she looked at him or why she had to fight away a blush which threatened to creep into her cheeks. She swallowed faintly and reasoned to herself that it must have been nerves finally catching up with her, yes, nerves of being along without her Master for the first time.

It took but a moment for her to trust her voice to reply but for Lilith it seemed like an eternity that he stood there gazing at her with eyes so deep she swore she could have drowned in them. When she did speak her tone and manner didn’t betray her feelings in the least and she offered him a smile which whilst sincere the corners of her lips curled into a playful smirk, “Thank you, sir. I have been paid that compliment similarly three times since I have entered – though yours by far was the most eloquently put.” The owner came back at that moment and she found it physically hard to incline her head to the man and return back to arranging her room. "Perhaps one of the other ladies in the room would be more suited to the compliment then me though." Nerves, it had to be nerves. There were plenty of handsome men in the galaxy why else could she be reacting this way to this one in particular if not nerves?

“I beg your pardon Master Jedi, thank you for your patience. Now it was a room was it?”
Lilith found she needed to swallow again before she could speak and nodded as her body still was keenly aware of the mans presence. “Yes please.”
“I don’t have anything fancy going right now…”
“That is quite alright, we Jedi are used to Spartan arrangements.”
He smiled, seeming relieved be her response. “Right-o. How long will you be staying then? Should I bill the Order directly?”
“No, thank you. I am not here on any official business. My stay should not be longer then a few days, a week at the most.” She offered him a credit stick in exchange for a registration form and he bustled off to get her door card.

Lilith tried to pay attention to what she was doing but her mind was in turmoil, she’d never really experienced attraction to a man on this scale before and it was causing her to feel oddly flustered. She kept her back to him though, forcing herself not to engage him in further conversation unless he spoke to her again, best not to push her luck when her nerves were getting to her. The lightsabre slung across her back swayed slightly and she took a moment to reflect on its comforting presence. There were not many Jedi who could wield a weapon like hers preferring the shorter version but she delighted in it and it had become a part of herself just as vital as her hands or heart. When she was forced to use it, it looked like she was dancing more then simply being in combat as the yellow blade hummed and arched around her body. Back in the moment she penned her name excellently with a flourish, Lilith Tran and waited patiently again only taking a few sideways glances at her complimenter.

"I am intrigued," the Count said as he leaned closer slowly. "I offer a compliment, and yet you offer nothing in return? A name perhaps?" His voice trailed off slowly, and he took another sip of his wine. "Are there many other women here? Indeed, well spotted. But my words I choose carefully, young Jedi. Never make the mistake of assuming that something I have is meant lightly." While she filled in her papers, he let his eyes roam over her another time, and he savored every glance he got. For the moment she looked up, his eyes were elsewhere in the room. Reel her in when she is not expecting it, and give her slack when she is expecting more reel.

Orlan's clothing was clearly cut to add as much emphasis as possible to his favorable qualities, like his broad shoulders and rather rugged jawline. Unlike many others of his rank there was no carefully groomed facial hair upon him, simply smooth, perfect skin. His smile was that charming that dusting the upper lip with hair would detract rather than frame. His eyes roamed back to her at his leisure, but when their eyes met he let his smile come out to play in full force. "Now where are my manners? I am Orlan." Perhaps she had heard the name, and perhaps not. He was known around the Jedi temple ever since his financial aid had helped many settlers and a small Jedi enclave on a remote world called Dantooine. "Would you care to join me at my table?"

While he had been away from the table his meal had arrived, and no doubt the wonderful aromas would have reached her nostrils by now. The lightly roasted and sauteed hein fowl and the steaming vegetables that accompanied it, the delicate sauce that brought it all together, and the faintest citrus scents that added just a little devilish surprise to the meal. This chef was the whole reason Orlan had decided to grace this little establishment with his presence, as it had been the reason for the previous two establishments the man had worked at. Invitation to dine extended, Orlan had began to walk off already without waiting to see if she was accepting or declining. Another little ploy in the game, for to decline now would necessitate stopping Orlan in his tracks, and the timid girl seemed far more likely to go along with the meal rather than get tangled in even so small a disagreement in front of so many eyes.

And what eyes they drew! Everyone was glancing their way, some even discarding discretion completely and gawking. The beautiful Jedi and the charming noble, so vibrant and beautiful they made even this gorgeous planet pale in comparison. Oh, Orlan would like this indeed.

Conversation seemed to flow easily between them despite Lilith not actually participating in it at all. As she finished filling out the forms and accepted the key card from the owner she took mental stock of this Orlan from what she had seen so far. Handsome yes, confident obviously, the glass in his hand and the abundance of luxurious food on the table spoke of someone obviously prone to the opulent side of life, questionably charming. He walked away without knowing if she was going to take him up on his offer or not either meant he was calculating, willing to take risks or supremely arrogant – perhaps all of the above. All in all a man who always got what he wanted or so he seemed to believe.

A part of her wanted to be left alone. The commute between Coruscant and Alderaan wasn’t particularly long but space travel had always left her feeling a little drained. A part of her desperately wanted to go to her room, meditate to calm her apparently overworked nerves and then curl up in the bed and allow her body to restore its balance naturally. She couldn’t deny the other part though, the part which had her already facing his table and was screaming at her legs to move towards it to rejoin him. His smile and offer to dine with him had been sincere, the underlying tone held promises of sparkling conversation and perhaps something a little forbidden which shot adrenalin down her spine. In summing up his character she’d noticed something else, his eyes. They had been a different matter altogether and the look in them didn’t quite match his tone and manner when he addressed her. The moment she had looked back up into them the final piece of the whole story had fallen into place - longing. She might not have understood her own longings but she did in others. Lilith had wanted to laugh aloud with relief, longing she understood and she instantly felt back on somewhat surer ground. Of course he walked away without bothering to learn her name or allow her to accept/decline his invite – it simply didn’t matter to him one way or another, what he wanted from her was clear and that knowledge allowed the strength to tell her burning legs, no.

Despite being a Jedi she still was intrigued about him, he was nothing like she met before and meeting him again under different circumstances might prove to be interesting. She noted with vague interest she had to walk past him to go to her room and a playful smile graced her lips as once again her fingers went to work and she scrawled a note to him on a scrap of paper before having a quiet word with one of the waitresses. Perhaps it would seem to him that she was taking him up on his invitation as she walked towards the exit but as she brushed by his table, her fingers drew her hood back into place and she sauntered out towards the turbo lift. In her absence the waitress stepped in and offer him the note, which when he unfolded would read.


The turbo lift door closed with a soft hiss and she descended to her room, the key card clicked in the door and closed with a satisfying thud. She was restless the rest of the night, pacing back and forth across her room like a caged animal. Many times she fought the urge to go back to the diner and see if he was still there and even more did she fight not to sit by the window to glimpse him leaving. She couldn’t meditate and as her body finally gave into rest in the morning she was still picturing his face and that smile.

---

She woke late having had a fitted slumber and to banish thoughts of the mysterious Orlan she immersed herself in the city, trying to find its slums and seedy side that she suspected Alderaan hid from the galaxy and when none was to be found she’d taken to nearby mountains, climbing and playing in the sunlight. The sun was starting to set as she returned to the inn and hungry entered the restaurant once more. She no longer wore Jedi robes as they attracted too much attention; she wore a light white cotton top which hugged her waist and hung loosely about her neck offering a slice of her pale neck and cleavage if she moved the right way. Tighter brown pants and hiking boots doubled with a thin brown hooded jacket finished the outfit. The hood was down and her hair was dishevelled but rather then make her look dirty the affect made her appear more exotic and wild then before. She was smiling, her cheeks flushed pink from her activity and if she had eyes beneath the white veil which cover them they would have been sparkling from the exercise. She sat at a table without paying much attention to the room, resting her walking stick against its leg and started to read the menu in the mood for some hearty, hot soup and a good nights rest at last.

"That's a very interesting walking stick," Orlan said casually as he lowered himself into the seat opposite her own. Unlike yesterday Orlan's clothing for the day was far less fashionable and far more utilitarian, although no doubt just as expensive. Regretably his time on Alderaan was beginning to wane rather than wax, leaving him with few tasks left. After dinner he would be heading out into the wilderness by foot. "In fact, such a thing could be very useful to me. Ah, but I am being rude again. What is it about you that distracts me from my manners so?" There is a deliberate pause, and he smiles his charming smile to her once more. "How are you this fine evening? May I join you?"

The fact that the Ithorian that had been working for him all day was approaching the table with some kind of bottle and two goblets showed that Orlan was not waiting for an answer once again. "A glass of Tarisian ale?" he offered casually.

It had really been decided from the second she had written that note that Orlan would return to find her again. It had been such a well crafted note as well; handwriting almost as beautiful as she was, the alluring hint of forbidden candy, the teasing tone. It was as if the note had been designed by some personal devil to appeal to all of Orlans finer senses. As much as his business in the woods tonight called to him, he would take the time to savor this meeting. Would she have noticed him, waiting patiently in the room this evening? He doubted it. He had made himself as unobtrusive as possible, and virtually no one had noticed him until he had made his way to her table.

In the here and now, however, Orlan could not have been more obtrusive if he tried. Perhaps that was deliberate. He leaned closer, his eyes roaming her gorgeous face, his voice soft. "Are you alright my dear? You seem rather flushed."

Lilith froze in her seat she knew that voice; it had been the same one she’d been trying to escape all day from haunting her thoughts. She raised her head, peering at him from over the menu to find Orlan already making himself comfortable in the chair across from her looking just as handsome, if not more so then the night before. This was a turn of events, she knew she worded the note playfully but never did she dream he might actually take it up as a challenge then a rebuff. Carefully she eased the menu shut and rested it atop the table as she listened to him carry on as conversation largely pretending she was involved and wondered what she should do now it appeared she’d encouraged the behaviour rather then negate it.

Inwardly she cursed when her hand rose unconsciously to tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear when he mentioned her appearance and she shifted in her seat suddenly feeling rather conscious of it. She had no reason to impress the man but for some reason she couldn’t deny that she felt uncomfortable he’d seen her in such a state. She forced herself not to straighten, preen or tidy any further and another moment of silence passed before Lilith realised he’d paused to actually listen to her response or maybe he’d just run out of breath. She looked at him again, perfectly poised and it suddenly occurred to her that he was trying to fluster her through for what reason she couldn’t fathom. Her finger tapped lightly against the menu in concentration, a distraction against his charm to allow her to focus. She deliberately let the silence carry on for a second or two longer before she answered him, if this was to be a game of wits, her pride wouldn’t let her loose to him easily.

“I’m sorry – is it my turn to talk now?” She phrased the question carefully, instead of sarcasm only an endearing kind of playfulness dripped from her tone accompanied by a flicker of a smile at the corners of her lips, “Alright, let’s see if I have gotten the hang of this.” She reached for the walking stick and took an experimental deep breath, the butterflies flapping with full force in her stomach but she wouldn’t let them take flight as she exhaled slowly and called on her Jedi training to regain control over the situation.

It began with another playful smile as she tapped the stick once sharply against the table, the disguise falling away to reveal her lightsabre. “Yes, it is very interesting and yes, very useful but I doubt you could wield one like mine properly.” She paused, smiled and continued within the space of a heartbeat, “What am I saying, you’re a man of many talents and surprises are you not? Undoubtedly, I’m sure from what of your character you have let me see so far. Have you ever used a lightsaber in your time? I can see you have some training of combat and dance if I am not mistaken by the way you move.”

Another heartbeat moment as she failed to wait for an answer from him before covering the top of the goblet provided to her with her hand casually before the Ithorian could pour her a glass, “Remember what I said about accepting candy? I tend to keep away from alcoholic drinks as most Jedi do. Besides I much prefer a glass of water, would you like a glass of water Orlan?” Again no time to answer as she raised a hand and using the force summoned a bottle of water into her hand from across the room and poured into her glass, filled the goblet to the brim.

She could hear the soft murmers of awe from her display of skill from the others in the room but didn’t let his distract her form her task as she took a swift sip and smiled again. “Ah, but it’s my turn to forget my manners now. I am very well, thank you Orlan, how are you this evening? I have been hiking for most of the day so I am rather flushed from the exercise and in case you were wondering that’s the only reason why as I believe I made perfectly clear to you last night. So, why are you joining me now or are you hoping the results will change with persistence?” She leaned forward mimicking his pose and spoke just as softly but her tone was dangerously close to flirtatious, “Isn’t that the definition of insanity in your species?”

He let his eyes roam over the lightsaber slowly, as she showed it to him. The fact that she had hid it certainly made it seem like a far more intimate moment when she revealed it. "Well made," he said softly almost to himself, as he leaned closer to survey the weapon. "A far longer hilt than I was expecting, but then..." He paused as he canted his head to one side. "It is not a double saber? A long hafted saber?" His hand was quick and light as he took it from her, letting her prattle on about insanity. He whirled it around himself a couple of times, and then shook his head lightly. "I must say, I was impressed with you the moment I laid eyes upon you, but this... This is something else entirely." A very unique and striking way of doing battle, beautiful and elegant, very much like the way Orlan liked to do battle. He held the saber back towards her in both hands, almost reverentially. "Would you show me?"

Orlan's interest in the young Jedi was beginning to spread to more than just her beauty and innocence. She could clearly think quickly on her feet, form her own opinions, and she had an almost subconscious instinct for flair and style much like Orlan did. Had the Force lead them to the same place and the same time for a reason? It had been in Orlan's mind to find an apprentice for some time. Was this a sign?

"I understand if you do not wish to, of course. Jedi are not known for showing off, but I would very much love a chance to see that wonderful weapon in action? Perhaps you could take us out somewhere you found on your walk today?" Could Orlan take the gamble? Would he reveal himself to the woman, here and now? He stood as casually as he could, shifting his jacket just enough to reveal the hilt of his own lightsaber, just enough to hint or tease. Then he was gone in a swirl of his clothing, making swift strides towards the exit. Let her make of it what she would.

The smile faded from her lips the moment he plucked the lightsabre from her grasp. Lilith already felt vulnerable when around she was Orlan, his confidence was in stark comparison to her innocence but without the comforting weight of her weapon at her back she experienced a whole new sensation altogether, she felt naked before him. She was on her feet ready to defend herself and take back what she so lovingly had crafted not barely two months ago before she realised he was offering it back to her, “Would you show me?” She didn’t reply right away merely snatched the handle from his hands unable to hide the accusation in her expression as she practically hugged it protectively to her breast.

She was about to take her leave of him when he flashed the hilt of his own sabre for her to see, the action seemed to happen in slow motion. The simple flick of his jacket and the expression on his face as he gazed at her seemed to last a lifetime before time rushed to catch up and he was on his way to the door. Looking back on that night Lilith would later realise that it was that moment she fell in love with Orlan. Anything he ever said or taught her later only strengthened her devotion but it was this moment of pure honesty, when he allowed her to see something of himself that was real and equally as vulnerable that she fell for him.

Of course, in the here and now Lilith was still unaware of the fact though for the first time she did finally acknowledge the rush of emotions she felt wasn’t due to nerves but an undeniable surge of attraction she felt towards him. She reasoned though that it was merely curiosity that caused her rise from her seat once more and follow him. Handsome men came and went, it was only natural her body would react to some of them; she would be fine as long as she was mindful of that fact. She paused on the street outside the building taking stock of him silently again. He wasn’t a Force user that much she knew. He didn’t display the telltale aura of someone with that ability, so where did he get his lightsabre? She turned and started to lead him away from the city into the woods she’d explored during the day. If something terrible was to happen best to have it happened away from the innocent bystanders. Her stride was deliberate but soon became a flat out run; the faster she led him into the clearing the sooner the mystery of Orlan would be solved.

It took them perhaps fifteen minuets to clear the city and hit the tree line, the moment she did she started to test him as she nimbly leapt over fallen logs or using stones to rebound without breaking her stride onto low slung ledges. It took only a few minuets of this pace before she found the clearing she’d discovered during the day, a small stream cut across it and it was perhaps twenty feet either side of it in diameter before the trees crushed the space again. Lilith stopped by the stream, panting but not from the exertion but from the shock that he’d kept up with her utterly, it almost felt to Lilith at times that he was testing her and not the other way around.

Her lightsabre flared into life, humming yellow and a deadly two meters in total length. Normally Jedi did not initiate battle, they sought other alternatives before blows were exchanged and whilst she didn’t sense any danger from him, he’d sprung one to many surprises on her for Lilith to feel comfortable without her weapon at the ready. “You’re not a Jedi…” She spoke softly and paced slowly back and forth by the stream, “...but you are also not what you seem. Who are you, Orlan? What are you?”

This was what Orlan loved the most! The absolute freedom! Once they were out of the city and running through the woods he let his disguise slip away as he pulled deeply on the Force, allowing it to guide his motions, keeping pace with the young Jedi easily. There was nothing in this wood that could hinder his motion, and no beast within that could challenge him. The only thing of consequence now was the figure of the lovely Jedi that he followed, watching each step she made, thrilling to the elegant way she moved. In this moment, with his re-connection to the Force, he could feel the trifling reasons he had chosen to come to Alderaan falling away, replaced with the knowledge that she was why. The Force had brought him something wonderful, something as graceful and beautiful as he himself, not someone who would be just a student, but someone who would be an equal, whom would teach him as he taught her in turn.

When they reached the clearing, Orlan slipped out of his jacket. The sleeves now would hinder the motions of his arms, and he needed to be free. With the Force wrapped around him, the chill of the night air barely touched him. The Jedi paced by the stream like a caged animal, and Orlan approached her without. His lightsaber hung at his waist boldly, no longer hidden, and he felt the rush of elation that came with revealing himself to her. This moment was so intimate and intricate at the same time, it connected the two of them in ways those unfamiliar with the Force could not understand. She had run well, physical activity seemed to come easily to her. Now it was time to see how well combat came to her.

He took the lightsaber from his belt with a casual gesture, as his eyes still followed her every movement. He did not need to any more, he could feel her now, his own presence in the Force expanding, enfolding the clearing in his awareness. He was one with everything in it, and everything in it was as one with him. "What am I, Lilith? I am as you see me. I am a man, born to title and privilege, with the wit and knowledge to succeed at whatever path I choose." His finger caressed the side of his sabers hilt, tracing over the familiar patterns etched into its surface not for utility but because the feel of them under his hand offered him comfort. "To the others in this galaxy that seek disruption to the status quo and corrupt monies to line their pockets, I am wrath made incarnate." The finger stopped on the activation button for the weapon, and in a shockingly intimate, almost erotic motion, caressed it before pressing it. The blade came alive with a hiss, bathing him in its light and giving him an almost etheric quality. The energy of the blade itself was most peculiarly black, the only light given off from the thin layer of energy that contained the saber into its blade form. "I am all of this, and so much more. I am Orlan."

His feet spread casually, to almost shoulder length apart. It was clear now that he was readying himself for the battle that was to come. "Come Lilith, enough with words. Let me show you who I am."

Lilith felt herself tremble as she gazed at Orlan, unlike himself she was largely oblivious to her surroundings now cutting herself off from it so she could focus solely on him. An aura pulsed around him now as clear as day, a vivid mist whose smoky tendrils entwined and embraced him. It was unlike any she’d seen before, even in the temples when she’d spoken to the great Jedi masters who made up its council but that was hardly surprising seeing from the very start Orlan was far afield of anyone she’d met before. The tremble shook her again barely perceivable, how had he managed to hide such a thing from her, from anyone? It seemed to whisper to her almost as clearly as if he spoken the words aloud, silent offerings of pleasure, knowledge and a connection to the Force and someone who dwelt within it greater then she’d ever known before. For a moment she had trouble distinguishing between his spoken words and the whisperings, everything he said was overlapped with a new rush of unspoken promises that she was able to truly comprehend.

As she watched his fingers caress the hilt of his weapon Lilith wondered what it might feel to have those same fingers to touch and trace her skin the idle crossed her mind causing a faint blush to caress her cheeks and she dropped a step back from him, shocked at herself for being able to harbor such thoughts in amidst what was rapidly becoming a very serious situation. For the first time in her life she wished she could close her eyes like other beings could, shut herself off from seeing him for just a second or two so she could regain her bearings. She lowered her head, listening to him with the same intensity she’d listen to her masters in the temple on Coruscant. Lilith was no fool, she knew the moment he let his disguise fall away that she was out of her depth, it wasn’t just a matter of being able to defend herself in combat – that she might’ve been able to accomplish but it wasn’t just about that at all now. Orlan had caused her to feel. He’d caused her to smile and laugh and prompted affection from her that she couldn’t really understand yet. He clouded her mind, her judgement undoubtedly compromised as well – silently she wished he’d manipulated her through the Force without her knowing but she knew that not to be true.

Her head came up again as she heard his sabre ignite and canted to one side, the whole time they’d been in the clearing her expression had remained blank only her voice had carried emotion but now seeing his blade her brow furrowed slightly. A black lightsabre? As he stood there bathed in its glow he did look very much the crusader against injustice that he claimed to be, just as confident and handsome as before but now something greater enhanced by the Force. An uneasy smile flickered at the corners of her lips, it would have been better if his sabre had been the traditional red. He didn’t need to say anything else to her, didn’t need to acknowledge it openly, the Jedi Masters had spoken to her since she was young about the Dark side and its deceptive lure. Orlan was what Jedi called a Sith.

She remembered her Master telling her if she ever faced one to run. She even recalled scoffing to herself privately over the idea of running, how bad could they be? Surely the Jedi were overprotective since the Great War, no Sith could tempt her from her sworn duty. It was interesting, ironic really, she’d come to Alderaan looking for hidden injustice – the dark underbelly and found Orlan instead. Despite knowing what he was now, Lilith still couldn’t bring herself to be fearful of the man, instead she almost felt… sorry? compassion? Her brow furrowed again, she couldn’t quite pin down what it was she felt towards him, did she think she turn him from the dark side, resurrect some part of him which at some point must have been worthy of the Jedi order. Again she felt herself smile sadly as he squared off his stance, her vision swelling again to encompass the whole clearing once more as the Force flowed through her she knew from the instant she met Orlan the Force had been guiding her to this very moment and her thoughts were suddenly very clear.

"Come Lilith, enough with words. Let me show you who I am."

Even before he finished speaking she was on him. Lilith was a student, adept in Form IV: Ataru swung at Orlan in a series of quick, powerful and wide strokes which rained down on him from wildly different angles. It was clear she was no Master of the style but she was well trained, agile, her motions as fluid as the Force which flowed through her to direct her blows in the future with more training she might have been a Master. For the now though her mind was sharp, her thoughts solely on this moment she lightsabre danced and hummed around her swiftly, she wasn't going to take it easy on him.

Even before learning the ways of the lightsaber from his current Master, Orlan had received much training in fencing. His natural grace and elegance only served to enhance what skills he had picked up then, and parts of those old teachings could be seen in the way he gently rebutted Lilith's first few attacks. She was lithe and well trained, and her connection to the Force was impressive. If Orlan had lacked some of the wealth of experience he had hoarded over the years, he would have been in great peril, but he had locked sabers with some of the best warriors the galaxy had produced.

He gave ground to start off with. His sense of awareness covered the whole clearing now, so his motion was unhindered by lack of sight. Thankfully, Lilith too seemed to possess a very strong spatial awareness, so even on this rough ground they both found clear footing easily. The air was filled with the hum and buzz of swinging and clashing sabers, and occasional words from Orlan. There was no sense of malice to his words, instead they carried the weight of genuine interest and concern. "You are extending your swings too far, leaving yourself slightly off balance and giving an opening." Another flurry of blows. "When moving like that, bend at the waist as much as the knee." Their blades locked together, and he leans in close to her, his lips holding a beautiful, joyous smile. "You look even more beautiful here."

Hoping his words would distract her, he pushed with all of his might, using the advantage to change the momentum of the battle. Now he was the one lashing out and placing her on the defensive. "React quicker! Don't see my strike from my hands, read the motions of my shoulders and elbow." Yes, she was everything he wanted her to be, and so much more! What more could she become, if she were to learn the secrets he had been able to glean?

"Come now, Lilith, is this all the Jedi at the temple would show you?" His voice contained no trace of mockery, taking the sting away from the words. Instead, it was filled with shock, and wonder. "Their teachings hold you back and limit you so!" When her next swing came in, Orlan did not bring his saber in to block it as he should. Instead, hilt in his left hand and right hand extending, he deactivated the blade. He caught the tip of Lilith's blade in the palm of his hand, and there was a massive shower of sparks. Containing the energy of the saber in one hand was not an easy task, and Orlan grit his teeth. He could feel the power of the weapon, the strength of the strike, her intent to take this seriously. Smoke lazily drifted up from his hand, the faintest charring of his outermost layer of skin. Taking the energy from the saber that was building in his hand, Orlan stamped his foot, channelling the power down through his body and into the ground.

As the ground began to shake, he leaped away from Lilith. The small stream churned wildly as the area was thrashed by the force of a tiny earthquake, centered where Orlan's foot had come down. The trees around the clearing swayed, and several small branches were broken, littering the ground with their fallen bodies and filling the air with slowly falling leaves. He had landed some feet away from Lilith, lightsaber already reactivated, somehow finding sure footing as the quake passed. "I can teach you to be so much more!"

It was as if time besides to drag its feet, she saw her lightsabre coming down, heard the audibly hiss as his blade deactivated. She felt her heart contract, one beat too slow in its fear for his safety and then as sparks showered down, that same fear turned inwards infecting her very core. She was going to die. He must have felt the realisation as surely as she did, his power was wrapped so intricately about her blade and around herself that for a moment she fancied he could have tasted the sweat on her upper lip. He pushed away and so did she, the ground quaked almost threatened to split apart and bury her right then and there. She was rapidly becoming spent; distracted by turbulent emotions which raged through her mind she landed not so lightly as he, staggered and fell to her knees. She didn’t bother rising to her feet, he wasn’t going to strike her down swiftly. He had too much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to convince her and perhaps himself of yet. “More then what? Not everyone is interested in power, some of us just wanted to do the right thing the best we knew how.”

She looked up at him; did he see her as she truly was now? He’d come close to breaking her, she wasn’t trying to impress him anymore with her wit or confidence. She looked so small, curled on herself faintly, so defenceless. She was a Jedi but also a child barely born adult, young enough to still imagine herself as being somewhat immortal. Anyone else might have been horrified to know they’d been the one who’d done this to her, mightn’t instead wanted to wrap her up, comfort and shelter her from the reality of death instead of watching her slowly accept it. She made fragility beautiful, heartbreakingly so as she spoke to him in a soft voice, “What the use of having power but no heart?”

She reached out and her fingers curled about her lightsbre once more and she too returned to her feet, the Jedi facade of confidence returning as she activated it and faced him, “And what about you? The so-called wrath incarnate to the corrupt and greedy, how are you helping people whilst wallowing in all the spoils Alderaan has to offer? I have seen you use those credits your title and privilege offer spent on selfish pursuits, would you devour all the pleasures in life so starving families don’t have to see what they are missing out on? How utterly altruistic of you, Orlan.” Her tone was bitter now, accusing. She wasn’t able to be what he wanted, wasn’t going to be lured by false promises of power – as soon as he realised that he’d have to kill her, he couldn’t have her returning to the temple to out him to the Jedi.

“And now you seek to seduce a Jedi from her duty, a cause you yourself claim to champion. From what you have shown me, Orlan, you are no better then those you’d place yourself above.” Something in Lilith’s chest moved and she realised in a flash that somehow she wished her words would affect him, she’d spoken with sharply intending to incite his anger so it would cloud his senses and provide a moments distraction so she could make her escape but a very real part of her realised she wanted more to convince him in a way which would allow him to take him back to the Jedi temple with her so she’d needn’t have to say goodbye. It was a useless wish though and she knew it, he wasn't going to change for her anymore then she would for him. She wasn’t going to beg for her life but she wasn’t going to stand there either. Fight or flight, fight or flight? Flight won as she turned suddenly on her heels and took off into the forest at her back, he could keep pace with her easily but maybe she’d been able to stave him off a little longer.

And as she turned, there he was. No illusion or trick of the mind, but Orlan himself. Her Miraluka sight would reveal the eddies and tides of the Force that he manipulated to push himself through space itself and appear before her. The Jedi taught that such a feat was impossible, but here before her Orlan had performed it. His lightsaber was back at his side, as his hands came up and caught hers. The moment lasted less than the blink of an eye, but for the two of them it seemed to stretch on for an eternity. He leaned closer to her, the look in his eyes intense but the weight in his voice more so. "See!"

The images he let flow from him to her were things that he had seen with his own two eyes. Two members of the notorious Black Sun criminal syndicate worming their way into beautiful Alderaan, and Orlan playing the part of a corrupt, gluttonous Count to draw their attention enough to make contact; the way Orlan would meet them tonight in what they thought would be a massive purchase and instead become a slaughter; the battle he had fought to escape Naboo as the corrupt Senators tighten their grip on the planet; and finally the most damning of all, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas leaving Kamino after ordering the construction of a clone army. As his hands left Lilith's the connection between them faded but after images of what he had shown her danced between them both.

There were so many words he could speak now, but instead he let the silence drag. He had almost overcome her already, and now was not the time to push. He let her absorb the information he had given her, to piece her way through the visions, to make her own sense of things. The silence stretched on, almost like its own living thing now, curling around them as the after images faded away. The nexus of this even was drawing ever closer, the time for her to make her choice, and the imminent approach of that moment made the silence even deeper than before.

Lilth gasped audibly as she turned and Orlan was there, her immediately reaction was to step back from him but he caught her hands and forced her to stay still. She thought the connection they had made before was strong but it was nothing compared to what was behind this one he forged with her now. She had always idly wondered what it was like to see through the eyes of other species and now she knew as suddenly she plunged headlong down the rabbit hole, twisting and turning her sight darkened only to see the light once more but as he saw it. Her mind swum uneasily with the images he showed her, the moment was impossibly intimate as behind the images she felt the force of his emotions, felt her heart beat with the same intensity.

It was over before it began and Lilith realised she saw with her own vision again. Her head was bowed almost resting upon his chest as she swayed on her feet, her hands falling limply at her sides. Her thoughts were far from being calm now, no Jedi could possibly be calm after being made privy to the things he’d had shown them. Surely those same things were impossible though, a lie more deceit spun from his lovely lips. Lilith swallowed slowly, she couldn’t deny them though she had felt the honesty behind it through the Force and that knocked her off guard more then anything else he’d done or said. Master Sifo-Dyas had left the Jedi order many years before when she was still a youngling but the Jedi still spoke his name favourably within the temple walls even today – how could he betray everything he once stood for?

As for this vision he showed her of the worm infecting Alderaan, hadn’t that been the very reason she come to the planet? She’d believed it to be too good to be true, a shining veneer which hid a seedier underbelly and here he was showing her that her instincts had been correct. Why hadn’t the Jedi order been able to see it though? And why would he seek to slaughter these men despite their crimes instead of bringing them to justice? Did he believe the system didn’t work or was he just a vigilante killer who believed he was the law? His visions didn’t speak of his personality, his justifications or reasons behind what he did but perhaps by showing her them he’d earned the chance to be able to explain to her.

He didn’t speak to her now though and for that Lilith was thankful. Lilith didn’t withdraw from him instead staying her ground remaining close to him, tantalisingly close in retrospect her breath would have caressed his skin with every ebb and flow and when she turned her face up to meet his again her lips were all that much closer to his own, pale pink, a perfect cupids bow. She was oblivious as too what that might mean to a man or that he might still desire her as she slung her lightsabre across her back once more, her voice soft almost velveteen as she spoke at last. “Take me to meet these men.”

She was so close he could reach out and touch her, and yet that did not seem to be enough to him. Connected as they were in this moment through the Force, every breath was far more intimate than an erotic caress. He was a part of her, and she a part of him. Her voice whispered to him but he could not hear it. Her perfect lips were so close, and he could resist them no longer. He kissed her, his lips meeting her own in a caress far gentler than could be imagined. She took his breath away, and for a moment, nothing in the universe existed but her.

He did not know if she had pulled away from him, or if he had pulled away from her, but when he came to his senses his lips were no longer on hers. They were still so tantalizingly close, but the moment had passed, leaving with it an echo of the memory that sang in his veins. How could she affect him in such a manner, when he allowed nothing else to do so?

"This way," he said softly, knowing her intention. He would take her to where he would be meeting them, and let her see his way first hand.