Brooding

[Navaria Tarkin]

Navaria Tarkin sat in the back of the bar, nursing her usual order of namana juice under a hooded face. Normally the Jedi Knight was in a good mood, relaxed and open for any company.

This night was different. A long frown was carefully masked as she eyed certain Sith that she knew were from the Empire. The overheard conversations confirmed her suspicions that Dalethria indeed had broken away from them and was permanently based on Meras. Her family home.

Strangely, she didn't want to believe it but it was true. The Tarkin estate continued to be a center of evil and malice.

She had hoped it might have been abandoned but that was a futile hope. In her mind, Navaria knew that it was for the best that she not be associated with such a place but for the young child that enjoyed speeder bike races with her brother, Marc, one couldn't help feel a deeply rooted pain in the heart.

[Sanis Prent]

(Maybe the hood was body language in itself. I'd never seen her with it on....inside, anyways. I wasn't force sensitive, but I could tell when something was up. Usually, Nav was the little ray of sunshine around here. Now, seems like somebody put that sunshine in the shade.)

You know...it doesn't rain indoors.

(I looked down at her, hoping that a little humor might bring her out of her hood)

[Navaria Tarkin]

Normally, under better circumstances, Sanis' quips would have made her smile.

This was not such a time and Navaria didn't even look up when she said.

"I know."

Instead she kept staring straight ahead at the empty seat across from her.

[Sanis Prent]

(It wasn't what I wanted to hear. She wasn't coming out of her slump. I sat down slowly, concern written across my face. I'd never seen her like this. Maybe it was a part of her that existed originally as Navaria, because Dalee had never been so glum. For the moment, I just sat, looking at her)

[Navaria Tarkin]

The concern she felt from Sanis was thick and callous. Navaria could almost feel it surrounding her skin.

She stopped looking past him and let his face come into focus. All that Navaria could see was concern and confusion. Both of them knew it would take time to understand one another again but the confusion of Navaria and Daleethria was still there.

"Did you want something to drink?"

The voice behind the hood asked, trying to fill the silence with something besides with what was wrong.

[Sanis Prent]

(I put my hand over one of hers for emphasis. My voice was calm, but serious.)

No. I want to know what's wrong.

[Navaria Tarkin]

She took a deep breath; eyes falling heavy on the hand that covered hers.

"It's complicated."

[Sanis Prent]

I'd expect nothing less. You've never been less than a puzzle to me.

[Navaria Tarkin]

Navaria remained quiet, not really sure on how to express what it was she was feeling. She was able to get a handle on her emotions finally ... with some help, being able to ascend as a Jedi Knight.

The only thing that still haunted her was her "sister" and it bothered her greatly. Hearing that her childhood home was claimed by Dalethria didn't help matters today but .... still, everything was bothering her more this night then any other.

Could it be a portent or just fear.

But a Jedi knows no fear ... And ... how could she even explain this to Sanis.

So ... she remained quiet and elusive, underneath the hood of her cloak.

[Sanis Prent]

(I obviously wasn't making the situation any better)

I'm sorry. I know it doesn't help to pry.

(With a kiss beneath her shroud, I stood, preparing to leave)

[Navaria Tarkin]

The brush against her lips was so fast that Navaria already missed the contact even before he started to leave. She wanted to be left alone to deal with her problems but when it came to Sanis ... when it came to love ... the part of her heart that she gave to him ached at the sound of him getting up.

"Don't go."

Navaria's head drooped down and a tentative hand pulled at the back of her hood. Brown hair spilled out and the Knight was grateful that it covered her troubled face.

She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath; focusing on remaining in control. It was partially working.

"Please."

[Sanis Prent]

(Her words were more than enough to bring me back to my seat. I sat again, plying the uneasy silence with a good deal of difficulty. She'd been holding me together for a while now. Longer than I could remember. I'd never seen her lose her cool, but this was a first. It was more than an obligation. I could almost feel the anguish in the air.)

You don't have to say a word, Nav. But I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere.

[Navaria Tarkin]

Navaria lifted her head and squared her shoulders; looking at Sanis with a grateful smile. For his presence and his words. She still felt obligated to say something.

"Thank you. I'm ... sorry, for being this way. I know I'm not normally like this."

[Sanis Prent]

(I smiled slightly, to ease some of the tension. I had a hunch about all this.)

Is this...about Dalethria?

[Navaria Tarkin]

"Yeah."

She nodded.

"It is."

Then Navaria chuckled nervously.

"Was I that transparent?"

[Sanis Prent]

(I couldn't laugh in response. I was too busy remembering the circumstances of yesterday...and the last time I had to say goodbye.)

[Navaria Tarkin]

"Hey..."

Navaria's mood turned sour quickly... just when she was feeling a little better, now Sanis had been infected by her brooding.

"... what's wrong?"

She asked gently, taking his hand into her own, much like Sanis did for her not too long ago.

[Sanis Prent]

You know exactly what's wrong.

(I could feel my temper rising, but it wasn't against her at all. I bottled it up, and let myself calm down)

She's looking for you again, isn't she?

[Navaria Tarkin]

She squeezed his hand as reassuringly as possible... but it was hard. The anger within Sanis was about to boil over. It was amazing that he didn't burst right here and now. But ... the conversation just started....

"I'm not sure. She probably is having the same dreams I am."

Navaria looked down somewhat ashamed.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything at the time .... but I wasn't sure if the nightmares were about ... her. It's hard to say either way if she's coming for me or not. I know word has probably reached her by some means that I'm alive .... I just know there will be a confrontation ... someday."

Her heart was beating rapidly and the shame rose to her face. Navaria couldn't believe that what she was feeling was fear. It wasn't strong but it was there. Dalethria killed her once, along with Sorsha's help. Who knows when that family would set their sights on her.

[Sanis Prent]

(I breathed in deeply, and exhaled, my voice was calm)

I'll kill her. I swear to God, I will. Like I should have done the last time.