[MM2] He Will Not Stop

[Sholua Tempes]

He healed the boy . . . It's still a trap . . . He's not human . . . Don't trust him . . .

One hand still on the holstered pistol, her other hand strayed to a locket around her neck.

"They're dead, or they joined up with the traitor clones when Palpatine branded them betrayers of the Republic."

[Phroth Lissken]

"That's what happened to my... mentor. We got separated on Mon Cala. But look at this... you've survived till now. So have I. Not.... all of us are gone. It's been a lot of hiding." He tilted his head slightly, sadness in his voice, oddly juxtaposed with that infrasonic frequency to his timbre.

"We aren't alone." The Karkarodon stood up straighter, almost proud.

"My name is Phroth Lissken." He slowly lowered his hand into his cloak, and drew out a piece of jewelry. The 'braid' they gave padawans who were of species that had no hair.

[Sholua Tempes]

At sight of the 'braid' her hand closed around the locket, while the other slipped from the pistol grip.

"This can't be true . . . can't be . . . "

Could it be . . . ? No, it's a trap. Must get away.

[Phroth Lissken]

"You're allowed to have hope. Hope is what can keep you going. What keeps us all going." He brightened up as he spoke, tucking the braid back beneath the cloak, before exposing his hands again.

"Fear is a poison. Living in it for so long? It wouldn't take much to be turned, or to fall. I know. I almost became a monster, wanting to destroy everything. I almost forgot what I was taught." A small, sure step towards the Mirialan, but still, no sudden movements.

"Let yourself feel that hope. You. Me. Those that remain. Those that are scared even though they weren't like us, but have that connection. We all need hope. Or the Empire has already won."

[Sholua Tempes]

"Hope? . . . . "

She took another step back and then stopped.

"There is precious little of that here. Bellionas is under the boots of Palpatine's lackeys. Ten years without even a sign any . . . other had survived the purge and you expect me to believe in hope?"

[Phroth Lissken]

"I'm not asking you to believe. I'm saying you have permission to. It took me a long time, too. A lot happens in ten years." He smiled, a flash of too many teeth, before remembering that could be... disconcerting.

"But that there isn't much here is why I... and a few others, are here. The flame hasn't died out yet, but if we're careful... we can tend it till it ignites something brighter and needed, right here." Phroth didn't move any closer.

"I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to trust in yourself. To trust in the Force."

[Sholua Tempes]

"There are more of you?"

She glanced at the boy.

He really healed him . . . wait . . . flames . . . . here . . .

"You were on Kamda . . . "

It might have been the Force, it might have just been an intuitive guess considering what she knew . . .

[Phroth Lissken]

"I was. And now I'm here. To continue what was started." He kept his voice soft, another slow step forwards.

"I was sent to find you by someone who actually completed theie training. And I was guided by my trust."

[Sholua Tempes]

"Comple . . . A Kn . . . . "

She stopped.

"You see that building there?" She pointed. "Third floor, room 8. Bring them tomorrow if you want me to believe you."

[Phroth Lissken]

"It'll just be me and them." He nodded, looking to the building. "Can I tell them who we'll be meeting?"

[Sholua Tempes]

She considered giving a false name . . . for a moment.

"Sholua."

She stared at him, still not at all friendly.

"Just you and the Kn . . . the elder."

[Phroth Lissken]

The Karkarodon nodded. He took a step back. "Tomorrow then. Floor 3. Room 8. We will be there, Sholua." Turning to walk away, he paused, and looked over his shoulder.

"May the Force be with you."

[Sholua Tempes]

She watched him in silence, one hand still gripping the locket. She waited until he was well out of her sight before retreating to a dark corner.

Reaching for the cord around her neck, she lifted it off and looked at it for maybe a full minute before opening it carefully. Inside were ashes, burnt hair and half a blackened hair bead.

"And . . . with you."



/Scene?

[Phroth Lissken]

/scene!