Jump to content

The Short Fic Weekly Challenge Thread!


elliotcat

Recommended Posts

Well- here goes, first of my scribblings in this thread...

Deadly Sins: Wrath and Lust

A Different Kind of Grace

JK + Lord Scourge

(possible JK spoilers)

 

It was a natural bridge of volcanic rock spanning a deep lava-filled chasm. Mirrigan felt it was as good a place to rest as any and, after trying the sturdiness of the surface with a few stomps of her boot, she walked carefully to the center and spun in a slow circle to take in the stunning contrariness of her surroundings. A ribbon of waterfall danced over a cliff to her left, straight down into the molten fire below. Shimmering wavelets of heat competed with snowflakes, the heat the victor. It didn't seem possible- she'd certainly never seen anything like it before- and her mouth began to twitch up into a smile of delight.

 

And steadied itself back into neutrality when she noticed Scourge standing several feet away, studying her face with unsettling intensity.

 

"You like this place?" His gaze slanted down to the roiling lava. "It's hardly conducive to peace," he murmured, that final word tinged with contempt.

 

"I find it peaceful in its own way." She crouched, peered into the liquid flame. "Peace can be found amidst tumult. Sometimes it must be."

 

"Spare me the Jedi dogma." He was beside her then, mirroring her crouch. "What do you see? You, not the being cultivated by the Order."

 

"But that's...it's...who I am." She squinted up at him, shaking her head. Her words tasted wrong, like sour ashes. Like a lie.

 

"Try harder. That was pathetic." He found a flake of rock and cast it into the chasm. "This isn't serenity. This isn't the sort of controlled grace found in the grounds of your temple on Tython. This is-"

 

"A different kind of grace. It's power. It's raw and an entity unto itself. And it's balance." Was he smiling? She stopped squinting and stared at him full-on, not an easy feat since her eyes had begun watering due to the excessive warmth and sulfurous fumes.

 

He stood, abruptly, and brushed his hands together as if they'd collected too much dust. Or blood. "The Force understands passions. Nature understands passions. Feels passions. And so do you. You hurl yourself into battle whenever the opportunity presents itself. You show no remorse over the lives you've snuffed out. You don't chant tired old mantras about peace as you engage a foe," oh, yes, he was smiling- and laughing, "you growl. When you retire for the day on the ship you retreat to the quarters you share with your husband-"

 

"You know this for fact- how?!" She sprang to her feet, hands automatically closing in on the hilts of her lightsabers. She didn't care about her lips curling into a furious grimace. She didn't care that her sudden careless movement hadn't been so much up as sideways, that she was poised on the very lip of the precipice. That maddening bemused expression on his face...something was burning icy in her veins. Worry. Guilt.

 

Anger.

 

"A bottle of Tarul wine. Or was it two?" Scourge mimed deep thought, fingers drumming pensively at his chin. "Yes, it was two. Kimble might claim to be a connoisseur of fine wines. He doesn't drink like one." The drumming ceased. An eyebrow arched. "My, my. Such fear. So delicious. So unwarranted. Only I know how deep your attachment goes. How deep all of your attachments go." Too fast for her to register, he clasped her shoulders and dragged her away from the edge. "The one I foresaw was a means to an end. A warrior. Warriors need balance. Where's your balance now?"

 

It was the touch. All the lengthy philosophical debates they'd had- and Scourge had never touched her, nor she him. They'd maintained a respectful distance from each other at all times except during battle. And- her interior voice both insisted and confirmed- isn't that when you feel most alive? Her right hand left the saber hilt and raised unbidden.

 

It almost reached his jawline before he caught her wrist.

 

"No. Even if I could feel, if I could care in that manner, would you be able to bear the censure of your Council? Your entire Order? Your crew, your friends...your husband? I paid my price. How immense would yours be in comparison to mine? I wonder. I've been wondering. You're no Jedi. The shadow is too dark in you. The radiant shadow. You could be so much more than the Council's puppet and poster girl. So much." Scourge released her, not without peculiar gentleness. "We should move on or else the local fauna might take an unexpected interest in this spot."

 

A mute nod from her. They trudged across the remainder of the bridge, back into the Belsavis wilds, side by side. Silence seemed a necessity for the first few meters, at least until her tongue couldn't be bitten any harder.

 

"I saw beauty in the tumult. Not peace. I saw perfection."

 

"As I thought."

 

"My mother told me about a place on the planet Voss. The Shrine of Healing. She said it could undo what had been done although she wasn't sure how-" all too aware that she was close to rambling- "or at least she couldn't tell me how. She's Sith, my mother. Her life has been devoted to rooting out and dissecting the arcane. If she couldn't tell me specifics then...what if it could undo what the Emperor did? If...would you..." her voice trailed off, her thoughts in a whirlpool blur even as her feet kept moving.

 

"Mortal again? Able to feel? Assuming I wouldn't immediately crumble into dust? We'll see what this shrine has to offer. I have profound doubts that anything could undo what was done to me." He halted and pointed ahead. "Kintan. An ancient by the looks of it. Kill with me, Mirrigan."

 

It was the first time he'd addressed her by name instead of simply 'Jedi'.

 

"Yes," her breath hitched as she grinned through a snarl, "yes."

 

Notes:

 

That particular bridge is on the path to The Burning Way, final bit of the World Razer (Belsavis) non-class quest. And I did hang out there for a good long while just admiring the scenery. I had to really think about how a JK + Scourge romance would develop and came up with nothing except, perhaps, post-Voss and the Shrine- and only if the power of the Voss Mystics surpasses that of even the Emperor.

 

I have a sinking sensation that this won't be limited to a single short fic....;)

 

Scourge fan girls unite!! *happy sigh*

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I doubt this will be limited.

Mirrigan is on Voss in-game with Scourge as her constant companion. Yup. Against all advice she took Scourge on a shopping spree for decent gear (thank you, GTN/Cartel) and then very sweetly told Doc that it would be better if he manned the medbay 24/7..."Kira walks in her sleep and sometimes she bumps into painful things like Rusk's shins"...

 

At this point there should be more this coming week. Probably not anything overtly romantic; this is such a tricky relationship to work out. But since I already laid some groundwork for myself with the Voss idea- never say never.

 

Thanks so so much. The squee'ing and sighing has made my weekend and affirmed that I'm not alone in my fangirlism (oh gods, I'm so sorry Andronikos...) :D

Edited by thatghost
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I doubt this will be limited.

Mirrigan is on Voss in-game with Scourge as her constant companion. Yup. Against all advice she took Scourge on a shopping spree for decent gear (thank you, GTN/Cartel) and then very sweetly told Doc that it would be better if he manned the medbay 24/7..."Kira walks in her sleep and sometimes she bumps into painful things like Rusk's shins"...

 

At this point there should be more this coming week. Probably not anything overtly romantic; this is such a tricky relationship to work out. But since I already laid some groundwork for myself with the Voss idea- never say never.

Thanks so so much. The squee'ing and sighing has made my weekend and affirmed that I'm not alone in my fangirlism (oh gods, I'm so sorry Andronikos...) :D

Oh, no worries, you are not alone :D [i'll have to add up how many of my ff stories have Scourge in them one of these days - it's sure to be an embarrassing number.] From Belsavis on, Scourge has been my jk's constant companion. And she just picked up Covert Torso Energy Armor for him - this is going to be awesome!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And she just picked up Covert Torso Energy Armor for him - this is going to be awesome!!!

GAH! I'm logging in! There must be some CTE Armor on the GTN now (or so I hope). Dire Eliminator's Chestguard? What Dire Eliminator's Chestguard? ;)

(much later edit-addendum: CTE Armor is going for fairly cheap on Shadowlands...if only I weren't half-asleep Voss would now be even more interesting *rueful sigh*)

Edited by thatghost
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deadly Sins: Guilt (though in this case, not really deadly)

 

Miriah and Corso, spoilers for smuggler class quest ch 1, short short

 

 

Corso paced around the bar area of the Stardancer, speaking in a low voice, clearly agitated. “I really didn’t mean to, honest. I..she…there were times…ah, hell, who’m I kidding. I knew you weren’t there, and I took the opportunity in front of me.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m so sorry. I never meant it to go so far.” He sat heavily, dropping his head in his hands. “I don’t know, things have moved so fast lately. Sometimes I can’t even tell where I am, much less where you were. Sometimes, you just have to have….more.” He stood and began to pace again, wishing he had his armor on but knowing this had to play out now, not later. “It was wrong, I know it. But I have to be honest, Torchy, there were times in the past couple months that Boomer was just the right one, you know? Can you forgive me?” He lovingly touched his newly-returned blaster. “You’ll always be my favorite, you know.”

 

Risha rolled her eyes at Miriah, sitting out in the holo area. “Void help us if he ever gets an errant thought about another woman. We’ll have to put him down, his guilt will be unbearable.” Miriah nodded, and knew there could be worse things.

 

 

Edited by Magdalane
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A belated welcome to thatghost! The balance of the snow and lava, analogous to Scourge and the JK, nice. Belsavis does have some cool scenery when you take the time to look at it.

 

@ SvienEternity: Bittersweet. I feel bad for Corso here, seeing someone he cares for being self-destructive.

 

So. I'd planned a series of several drabbles, but they're all coming in too long. Here's Pride, the Dark Side's hook in Varrel.

 

Varrel Umrahiel (SW), Pride.

 

Chronology: between Entrance Exam and Ceremonies.No spoilers, just over 300 words.

 

 

Varrel knelt on the corridor’s dark stone floor, breathing hard. Gelren approached, his practice blade humming, and kicked Varrel’s away from his hand. It skittered across the floor and struck the wall. “Not so game now, are you old man?” he gloated. “Master Lyt should have warned you about me.”

 

“She did,” Varrel gasped.

 

Gelren laughed, a cold sound echoing off the spartan walls, “Then you’re even a bigger fool than I thought. Hold him, Su’ad.”

 

Varrel heard footsteps approaching behind him. They stopped. He heard the shifting of robes as Gelren’s second bent down to seize his collar. Varrel activated his other blade, the left-handed blade, thrusting it backward from the drawpoint into Su’ad’s gut. The pureblood grunted in shock and grabbed for the blade. But Varrel was already rising and moving forward toward Gelren, taking his sword with him.

 

A step forward and a swing, an inverted doh cut to Gelren’s midsection, slicing easily through flesh and bone. Blood pattered in a high arc across the ceiling. Gelren’s last accomplice, a young, fair-haired Human woman, froze like a frightened fawn then turned to flee.

 

Varrel seized his discarded blade through the Force and sent it spinning after her. She went down in two pieces without a sound. The sword returned to his hand like a well-trained hawk.

 

Su’ad knelt now, vainly holding in his viscera, his and Varrel’s positions reversed. Umrahiel ended him, as one might a suffering animal. Finally he advanced on Gelren.

 

The apprentice lay on his back, slowly drowning, “You…weren’t…tired. Or injured,” he gurgled.

 

Varrel stood above him, shoulders straight, breathing normal, “No,” he said.

 

“Why…deception?”

 

“Because you did not learn your lesson. Appearances still fool you, Gelren,” Varrel said, “It is your last mistake.” Quick ski cut to the throat. Varrel deactivated his swords and sheathed them.

 

Kata eight, ‘The Prisoner Turns on His Captors’.

 

Edited by Striges
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Double Posting Drabbles :p

 

Kirya (Smuggler) and Andalar (Bounty Hunter), Wisdom, Justice

 

Chronology: after Sure, I Know a Guy. Spoilers for smuggler act 1.

 

Apologies, the friend who plays Andalar (Also Valden, Xathras, and Korjonos) is no longer playing the game, so these characters won’t be showing up much if at all. I don’t feel comfortable writing someone else’s characters under those circumstances. However, this is a loose end that just begged to be picked up. 400 words.

 

 

Kirya stared at the holofrequency display, the code all entered, debating. Finally she hit the connect button. Andalar’s image appeared in the holoterminal, “Kirya Bilali,” he said, “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

 

“Nice to see you too, Andalar. Have you,” she took a deep breath, “have you found Jesp yet?”

 

“No,” Andalar said.

 

“Oh,” Kirya scuffed the floor, “Well, that’s good, actually. I, uh, I want to modify the contract. If I can still do that.”

 

Andalar raised an eyebrow, “You can. What would you like to change?”

 

Kirya paced, “Can you carbon-freeze him instead?”

 

“If you prefer.”

 

“I can’t pay someone to kill him for me. I just can’t,” Kirya rambled, “He’s complete slime, and the galaxy is better off without him, but not like that. If he were shooting at me I wouldn’t hesitate. I sure wouldn’t care if he died. On a job or something. You said he’s a hunter now, that’s a pretty risky business—“

 

“It can be,” Andalar agreed.

 

“Heck, Rogun’s been sending guys for me for years, I don’t feel bad about having to kill them,” she continued.

 

“Understandable.”

 

“But I can’t be Rogun,” Kirya said, “Does that make sense? I can’t look in the mirror and see someone who orders other people killed. Not cold like that.”

 

Andalar nodded, “It’s a simple clause change, Kirya, I’m forwarding the paperwork to you now.”

 

“I’ve thought a lot about this and—wait, you’re sending the paperwork?” she asked.

 

“Yes,” Andalar replied.

 

Kirya checked the readout, “I thought you would try to talk me out of changing my mind.”

 

“Kirya, it’s your contract. It’s your conscience. You’re the one who has to live with your decision and the consequences,” Andalar said, “I’m pretty well absolved legally. Morally? I won’t take a job I can’t stomach.”

 

“So it’s okay?” she asked.

 

“Changing the terms is fine,” Andalar said, “whether you want to continue it, modifications or not, is a call I won’t make.”

 

Kirya sighed, “Paperwork’s on its way back. I approved the changes.”

 

“Excellent. Kirya, feel free to holo if you want to discuss this further,” Andalar said, “And, if I might be so forward, maybe talk to someone you trust about it.”

 

“I…will. Thanks, Andalar,” Kirya said. She cut the channel.

 

Andalar glanced over the rail at the stockpile of carbonite in the corner of his cargo bay, and the cryo-gas cylinders he’d topped off at the last port. He did know how to read a client.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seven Virtues- Wisdom

 

Miriah and Magdalane, no spoilers

Timeline continues from the cantina

 

 

Miriah met Magdalane in her room over the cantina the next morning. “I take it that you and my first mate have formed a bond?” she asked, after hugging her Jedi sister. Magdalane smiled her Jedi smile, the one that said “I know more than you do about this”, and it almost made Miriah mad. Almost. They got to see each other so seldom lately that she was reluctant to let anything be contentious between them.

 

“He’s a very sweet guy, Miriah. You realize he’s completely in love with you?” Mags had moved over to the breakfast she’d had sent to her room, and sat. Miriah had gone completely still. Mags hadn’t told her anything she hadn’t suspected, but just hearing the words out loud stunned her. “Miriah, you have eyes and ears, this cannot be a totally new idea to you.”

 

“No, “ she replied, “it’s not, but it still scares the force out of me, you know that.” Miriah joined her sister at the table, her appetite replaced by the thoughts of their dinner the evening before. She could still feel his fingers encircling her wrist, the warmth and gentleness of him washing over her in that moment. The moment she’d lost any interest in finding a flirting partner for the night, and settled in to spend the evening talking and drinking with him. He’d escorted her back to her ship around midnight, and they’d parted after a long kiss, neither of them able to sleep after that. She'd left early this morning, and didn't see any of her crew.

 

“If you could let go of your fear, you’d admit you have some feelings there as well,” Mags said, her Jedi smile on her lips again. She could feel the internal struggle her sister was having, even though her face remained impassive. Mags put her hand over her sister’s, getting those silver eyes to look into her own brilliant green ones. “I have no doubts, Mir, that he is committed to you already. You just have to defeat your own barriers to others to be happy with him.” Miriah felt the cooling calm infuse her, from Magdalane’s force use, and it steadied her breathing and slowed her heartbeat from the immediate flight reaction she always had to the thought of anyone really loving her. She absently touched her lips, the memory of that kiss lingering there, and broke the eye contact with her sister.

 

“Let’s leave that for now, how are things going with the diplomatic corps?” Miriah asked, and Mags answered. Only Miriah didn’t really hear anything but the same question, over and over, in her mind. What if he’s the one?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Driveby update - Striges, I *love* that last short story. I was just rereading Sure, I Know A Guy yesterday and wondering where the timeline ended up. The last couple of lines on this new one are wonderful.

 

Driveby reply: Andalar's player and I joked the carbon-frozen guy in Andalar's hold is Rixik. In a Star Wars universe, that's about the most merciful end Rixik could expect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice addition, Fino!

Thank you :D

 

@irishfino I love this image of playing with the Force. Being played with by. Whichever.

Thank you, madam. :D

 

@ irishfino: a Sith in tune with the living force is a frightening prospect. Ald's insight does him credit, as does his accepting that the Force may use him as much as the other way around.

Ald turned to the Force for help at a very young age and realized fairly early on just how brutal events could turn if he only took, took, took.

 

@ Irishinfo, nice view of the give and take of force power.

Thank you. :D

 

 

Thanks for reading. :D

Edited by irishfino
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A series of drabble-like entries.

 

All set in the Aldrdinar, The Silly Sith Warrior universe.

 

 

Pride

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

“You went through with it anyway,” Ald said tonelessly.

 

“My Lord, I never failed a mission under any circumstances. My chances for victory were manageable. Had I failed and died, that would be the only failure on my record, if it had made its way on to my record to begin with,” Quinn explained stiffly.

 

“This wasn’t personal, then?”

 

“No, my Lord, this was a matter of pride.”

 

 

 

Envy

 

Character: Vette

 

 

She knew, on some level, things were different between them. They got along well enough and were compatible in more than a few ways. He was always gentle. He took off her collar when she asked him the first time. He wasn’t sure if their relationship was one of love or friendship, but he tried and she fell for him. Hard.

 

But she always knew, on some level, things were different between them. The glances Ald shot the Captain when he thought no one was paying attention. The way he mocked and teased and picked at the Captain, always gentle. She knew their relationship was one sided, but the Captain allowed it and Ald fell for him. Hard.

 

 

 

Wisdom

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

“No, not there, my Lord. You would never break through the defenses in time,” Quinn lectured. He shifted his finger along the map and pressed insistently at one point in particular.

 

Ald leaned in. “I don’t see it,” he mumbled quietly. He grabbed his piece and shifted it, leaving his fingers to linger.

 

“Of course you don’t see it,” Quinn said stiffly. He grabbed Ald’s hand and pushed the piece back to its starting position. “You’re lucky you didn’t let go of the piece, this game would have been over in two moves. Move here instead.” He moved Ald’s hand, along with the piece, to the spot he had pointed to earlier.

 

“Why would you assist your enemy in heated battle?” Ald asked cheekily.

 

“You are not my enemy, my Lord,” Quinn replied quietly. He let his fingers linger a moment longer before shifting back and moving his chosen piece. “Besides, brutally beating a novice is no fun at all.”

 

Ald laughed and was happy to see the Captain grin if only for the briefest moments.

 

“Now,” Quinn said, slipping back into teaching mode, “you have three options. I will describe each one and let you pick.”

 

 

Lust

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

It was a powerful thing, that. The way he looked when he was deep in thought. The crease of his brow when he was being serious. The way his eyes devoured everything around him, searching the remains for information. Always scanning, always on alert, always on. He was a force of military precision. And he never realized the effect he had on people.

 

Quinn shifted his gaze back to the map. He was fortunate Ald was so focused on the board he didn’t notice the Captain’s intense gaze. Ald would have teased him into submission. And he would likely submit quickly at the faintest noise from Ald’s mouth. Ald’s voice was smooth and light, like foam over caf. It commanded attention while still being a delight to listen to.

 

“Captain?” Ald asked gently.

 

Quinn snapped from his thoughts and raised his eyes to meet Ald’s.

 

“It’s your move.”

 

Quinn nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment. It was a powerful thing, that. The way Ald stared at him, yet never through him. The way his voice caressed his ears. Quinn moved his piece with a shaky hand and it did not go unnoticed.

 

 

Restraint

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

“We should refrain, my Lord,” Quinn murmured quietly. “This isn’t proper.”

 

“A relationship between two men?” Ald asked tonelessly.

 

“I did not say that, my Lord, and I didn’t mean that, either.”

 

“Then explain.”

 

“A relationship between a superior and a subordinate is nothing to trifle with. It can cloud judgment, compromise campaigns. It’s not worth the risk.”

 

“I enjoy taking risks,” Ald said lightly.

 

“This is a risk I cannot afford to take, my Lord,” Quinn said stiffly. “I am sorry.”

 

“If that is what you wish, I will pursue this no further.”

 

“I appreciate it, my Lord.”

 

 

Justice

 

Characters: Ald, Quinn, Vette, and Pierce

 

 

“We should hang him to dry,” Pierce grumbled angrily.

 

“I say we pump him full of bolts and send him out the airlock,” Vette said lightly.

 

“No one is doing anything,” Ald rumbled.

 

“He’s obviously a mad dog that needs to be put down,” Pierce argued.

 

“We’re not shooting a man because he beat me at a game of Space Risk,” Ald sighed, running a hand down his face.

 

“He cheated!” Vette cried.

 

“I am a tactical genius with twenty years of active field duty,” Quinn said stiffly. “Please, tell me how I cheated at a game of military tactics.”

 

“I saw you move a piece out of turn!”

 

“I bumped the table.”

 

“Lies!” Vette cried dramatically. “Next game, Pierce and I get to help Ald. We’ll crush you.”

 

“I accept the terms of your inevitable defeat.”

 

“Let’s make this interesting,” said Pierce. “If we win, you let up on the stiffness for a week.”

 

“Very well,” Quinn said stiffly. “However, if I win, you two have to dress in Imperial greys for a week straight.”

 

“Deal!” Pierce and Vette said in unison.

 

Ald buried his face in his hands. Quinn really had bumped the table.

 

 

Gluttony

 

Characters: Ald, Quinn, Vette, and Pierce

 

 

“Best two out of three!” Vette muttered unhappily. She really didn’t want to wear an Imperial uniform for a week.

 

“That wasn’t part of the deal,” Quinn said lightly.

 

“Oh, come on, that was a fluke! There’s no way you beat the three of us!”

 

“There is a way and I just showed you, but, if you’d like, I can show you another way.”

 

“Same terms?”

 

“Increase the time on both sides to two weeks.”

 

“Deal!” Vette and Pierce cried in unison.

 

Ald shook his head and fought the urge to slam it into the table several times. They were gluttons for punishment if he ever saw a pair.

 

 

Hope

 

Characters: Ald and Vette

 

 

Quinn hadn’t reported back in over an hour. The man never missed a deadline. He was either captured or dead. Vette made it her mission to distract Ald as much as possible, but, as time ticked away, it was getting harder to attract his attention.

 

“That man wouldn’t know how to die if Death showed up, sickle in hand, and tried to take him away,” Vette said lightly.

 

“No matter how foolish, I hope I never have to find out,” Ald said quietly.

 

“I hope you never do as well.”

 

The holoterminal beeped and Ald rocketed from the galley seating to the terminal. A message flashed. There would be no video feed, but the audio feed was intact and transmitting.

 

“My Lord.” The voice was garbled by static, but the stiff “my Lord” could only come from the mouth of one man. “We have captured the Republic objective, Hope’s Landing. I will return to the ship in approximately three hours’ time to debrief you. Quinn out.”

 

Ald turned to Vette and grinned. “Not today.”

 

Vette smiled and said, “No, not today.”

 

 

 

Wrath

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

It was one of the few times any of those gathered had seen him angry. He was always in control of his emotions. He could manipulate them as much as they manipulated him. He bundled his hatred around him as a shield. He hid his tender core from prying eyes. He shoved it all down until it was time to strike and strike he did.

 

“My Lord, this is the easiest setting on the training program,” Quinn said in disbelief.

 

“I’m still learning,” Ald muttered.

 

“The hologram opponent is openly mocking you at this point.”

 

“It cheats,” Ald pouted.

 

“It’s a program!”

 

The hologram grinned evilly. Try maneuver him into a corner, hah! Silly Sith.

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

Lots of silly little things. Mostly over games of HoloChess and Space Risk (which I totally made up).

 

Edited by irishfino
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hope was fairly interesting, given what you said about Vette a little earlier.

Vette loves Ald enough to let him make, what she believes, is a huge mistake in investing himself into Quinn and his... Quinn-ness.

 

Love the drabbles, Fino! Lots of interesting little snippets!

Thank you! And they just keep coming along! Wheeee!

 

Thanks for reading!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fino's a dirty double-poster...

 

Courage

 

Characters: Ald and Quinn

 

 

Quinn sought an audience with Ald late in the day when he was sure Vette and Pierce would be too busy drinking and shooting targets in the Cargo Bay to bother to eavesdrop. Still, he put a white noise emitter on the door just in case.

 

When he turned to Ald, the Sith Lord grinned lopsidedly at him. He was always at ease around him. It put him on edge.

 

“My Lord, some time ago you expressed an interest in furthering our… relationship,” Quinn said stiffly.

 

“Yes and, if I recall correctly, you thought it ‘improper’,” Ald replied.

 

“I have had time to think on it, my Lord.”

 

“And?” Ald asked, arching a brow.

 

Quinn shifted his weight from foot to foot.

 

“I have always preferred the company of women.” Quinn frowned when Ald’s face dropped. “That is not to say that I haven’t enjoyed the company of men as well.”

 

“What are you trying to say, Captain?” Ald asked a tad impatiently.

 

“I’m trying to say the only barriers between us are our respective ranks, but, if you are williing to overlook such matters, I believe we can find a suitable arrangement.”

 

Ald answered him with a kiss filled with repressed desire. He pressed his body to Quinn’s with great urgency and moved him until his back was pressed against the door. Quinn’s repression, however, was far stronger and forced the pair from the door to the conference table and to previously unexplored heights. The table would never be the same again.

 

Edited by irishfino
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Deadly Sins and Seven Virtues: Lust, Wrath, & Justice

 

Deadly Virtues

bh - Skari, Crae, and Gault

no spoilers

Warning:

contains brief descriptions of torture and references to r*pe

 

Skari paused the speeder on the mountainside, just inside the treeline. The road snaked down to the lakeside hamlet nestled in amongst the forest-swathed mountains. Snow had fallen the night before, ringing the steel blue lake in soft white edges. Fellinassra had the quiet busy-ness of a resort town in the morning. The tourists were still in bed, but shops were being opened, speeders were bringing in supplies. People moved about. Perhaps one of them was Akko Nadras. Perhaps their search would be over, and Crae would leave.

 

"I'm freezing here, can't we hunt bad guys inside?" Gault complained beside her. She rolled her eyes and started the speeder down the steep path. Torian was bringing Blizz and Mako in on a second speeder in an hour. No point gaining unwanted attention with a convoy. Skari stopped in front of a perfectly rustic-but-expensive-as-hell cafe where rich people bought kaffa that... She stopped. Where rich people bought the same kaffa she drank now. Having money to burn was weird.

 

"Good, I could use a drink," Gault said, getting out of the speeder and stretching, "you rushed me out the door without so much as a bite to eat."

 

"Stop your effing complaining," Skari said absently, scanning the area for Crae or Akko Nadras as Gault ducked inside the cafe. The few old holos they'd found had refreshed her memory. Funny how she mostly remembered Nadras's sneer when in all the holos he had a wide, friendly smile. A mask for the camera.

 

"Get some sleep, mama?" A smooth rich tenor asked from behind her. Her skin pr*ckled as she turned around, blaster in hand. Crae stood there, his lean silhouette dark against the clean snow.

 

"Did you?" she threw back, unsettled by the adrenaline hitting her bloodstream.

 

He chuckled. "I've been busy."

 

"No dead bodies, I hope," she said with a scowl, glaring at him.

 

"Not yet," he said with a slight grin, "saved him for you."

 

"Nadras?" she asked with a gasp, "that bastard's actually here??"

 

His smile twisted into a grimace for a second and then was gone. "He has an estate on the western slope," he said, pointing at one of the huge mansions tucked onto the gentle rise between mountain and lake, "Vacation home. But his caretaker was there."

 

"Was?" Skari said with a raised eyebrow.

 

"I moved him."

 

Skari ducked into the cafe, ignoring the startled propriator. "Gault. We're leaving," she snapped. She stalked out and jumped into the speeder, impatiently waiting as Gault exited the building with a cup and pastry in hand. Crae slid into the seat beside her. Gault raised an eyebrow at the hunter and got in the back.

 

"Where?" she demanded, glaring at Crae, "Is he in one piece?"

 

"Sounds like someone's been a busy boy this morning," Gault said behind her.

 

Crae smiled, his eyes focused ahead on the road. "Three miles on the south road. Left turn."

 

"If you've hurt some innocent bystander, I'll have your head, Crae," she growled and started the speeder. They traveled in silence, Crae pointing out the completely hidden left turn that led back into a shadow-darkened ravine that hadn't been hit by the morning sun yet. A small hunting cabin was half buried in the snow, a narrow track of footprints leading to and from the porch.

 

Skari stopped the speeder and jumped out, the snow reaching half way to her knees. She stomped to the cabin, vividly aware of Crae beside her. He reached the door first and opened it, bowing mockingly as she entered. She shot a look at Crae when a faint sob hit her ears from the back room. She drew her blaster. "After you," she said grimly, motioning Crae towards the sound. He grinned and headed for the door to the room.

 

"Holy sh*t," Gault whispered as Crae opened the door. Skari felt her stomach roll. Somewhere inside she'd really hoped he wasn't the monster she knew him to be. A human male sat, unnaturally rigid, in a wooden chair that brought back, all too clearly, the first time she'd seen Crae. She, however, had apparently been lucky. She felt bile rise up in her throat. Metal wire had been pierced through the man's wrists, ankles, and the skin on the back of his neck, pinning him to the chair. Blood trickled from the piercings. Tears streaked the man's face as he looked, wide-eyed, at them, not daring to move.

 

"Give me one good f**king reason I shouldn't kill you," she whispered to Crae, rage shaking her voice although her aim was steady.

 

He cocked his head at her, "Interesting. That was the same question I asked him only a few hours ago. Do you want to know what he said?"

 

Skari shot past his head, close enough she knew he felt the heat of the bolt. His eyes and smile widened. "That's my girl," he whispered. "Tell her what you told me," he ordered his captive, his eyes never leaving hers.

 

It was apparently all it took for the man to begin talking, as fast as possible, his words stumbling over each other. "Please! You gotta get me out of here! He's crazy! Man, I told you, that sl*t wanted it! She never means it when she says no!"

 

Skari's body shook as though a bolt had hit her. She slowly lowered her blaster, her eyes still caught in Crae's gold ones. "He was r*ping a woman?" she whispered hoarsely.

 

"A girl," Crae said quietly, sober for once, "Twelve, maybe thirteen."

 

"Aw sh*t, aw sh*t," the man moaned behind Crae.

 

Gault's hand on her shoulder broke Skari out of her shock. "You do what you need to," he said quietly. She nodded, memories of too many broken women, too many tooth and claw fights to keep from being one of them, fighting skills bought through heart pounding desperation, battering her head.

 

Crae silently flipped his knife out of its sheath and handed it to her, handle first. "I told you, I saved him for you."

 

Skari took the knife.

 

***

 

The three of them were silent as they left the cabin. Skari stopped on the porch and looked out at the blindingly white snow. It was pure. Clean. She stepped down into it. Staining it red. Crae walked past her to the speeder, his own footprints red as well. "Did you ask him where Nadras was before I got there?" she called to him.

 

"Quisoto in the Tabrel Sector," he said tightly, "My brother's killer lives in my own hunting grounds."

 

"Huh," she said, "how bout that."

Author's Note:

Believe it or not, this started as a very quiet piece. I hope it wasn't too dark for people. Also, I have never had so many words censored as I've had in this story. Lordy.

 

Plot Point Summary:

1) They got the location of Akko Nadras from his vacation estate's housekeeper/guard - it's a planet in Crae's old stomping ground.

2)The housekeeper/guard was a s. predator. Crae caught him in the act. (off-screen)

3)He saved the kill for Skari.

4)Skari almost killed Crae for torturing an innocent person until she learned of the guy's guilt.

5)We (the reader) find out that Skari's fighting skills were learned fighting off such people.

6)She tortures the guy to death (off-screen).

 

That's the crux of it.

 

Edited by iamthehoyden
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How on Earth did I get this far behind in only a couple of hours? Will catch up. For now: New Character!

 

Jurial, Jedi Consular (currently Mirialan male, although he may get a sex change if I can’t stand his voice post level 10)

 

Prompt: Faith

 

Spoilers for Tython at the start of the Jedi stories. Just under 400 words.

 

 

…It is, therefore, with the previous discussion in mind, that I examine the relationship between the Jedi Order and the Republic.

 

The Jedi have always supported the Republic. But, as I seek an unbiased perspective, I must question why this is so. The Republic does do good. Certainly, the system imposed on its people is less onerous than that of the Empire, at least in the main. The poor, debt-ridden, hopeless underclasses of either society might argue the point if they but had a voice.

 

The system, however, is not the question. It is the Jedi’s attachment to it. Attachment. That which is forbidden to individual members of our Order must also be forbidden to the Order as a whole. And yet, we cannot. The Republic funds the Jedi. They provide what we need, allowing us to pretend to live ascetic lives without concern for material goods.

 

We spurn attachment for it creates obligation. We pretend to be independent of the Republic, but we are not. Here, on Tython, the sacred spiritual homeworld of the Jedi Order, we cannot aid fellow settlers, because they reside here in violation of the Republic’s laws. This is unconscionable to me. I cannot help but wonder if aid would be likewise forbidden if they, rather than penniless refugees, were instead constituents of a powerful senator.

 

The Jedi Order’s first and only obligation is to the Force. How can we reconcile this position with—

 

“Jurial?”

 

Jurial looked up from his datapad, “Yes, Master Yuon?”

 

“What are you working on?” she asked, approaching the library table.

 

Jurial closed the program, “Research, Master, and philosophy.”

 

Master Yuon gave him a kindly, understanding smile, “I appreciate your dedication, padawan, but rest is as important as research.”

 

“Thank you, Master Yuon, I had forgotten the time,” he said, rising.

 

“We have much to do tomorrow, Jurial, I need you at your best.”

 

“Of course, Master Yuon,” he said with a bow of respect. Yuon went to leave. “Master?” Jurial asked.

 

Yuon turned back, “Yes, padawan?”

 

Jurial hesitated. His thoughts were still unformed, nebulous. Yet there was a star there, waiting to be born. It needed gravity’s influence, “Perhaps we could discuss some philosophical concerns tomorrow?”

 

Master Yuon smiled, “Of course, Jurial.”

 

Edited by Striges
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...