Open Terrain

[Shaman Anaxilea]

*Panatha's terrain consists of mountains, jungles and rainforests.*

*The sun shone down upon the ancient standing stones as Aleron awaited his opponent. A noble who had called him out for sleeping with his daughter, and so here he was, prepared to answer the call and slay the man who had challenged him.

Aleron waited for another half an hour before the man showed. He was big, bigger even than Aleron, but he was much older, and seemed as if he had gone slightly to seed. Aleron smirked and drew his broadsword from its scabbard on his hip, drawing his long knife as well.*

"It is not too late to withdraw your insult old man, and so doing preserve your life."
*The older man wore a look of anger, with armor, shield and a fine longsword. Aleron wore very little armor, he was a rodder with no surname and no riches to purchase a fine suit. A ringmail sleeve covered his left arm, but otherwise he wore only loose trousers, a boiled leather cuirass, and his weapons.*


"You see, this is where we disagree, of all the things I put on her, dishonor was not among them, she did however wish for me to do some quite unseemly things on top of it."

*The noble howled with rage and charged him, keeping his shield up and swinging his sword in a wide slash from right to left, aiming to remove Aleron's head, Aleron ducked and pivoted on his own right foot, to roll away from the sure shield bash that would follow.

Just as he expected, the noble had extended himself with the shield, expecting to meet the resistance of Aleron's body and being sorely disappointed. Aleron merely kicked him in the rump lightly send him crashing into a standing stone and he chuckled.*

"Now now, don't get mad, get even."

*The noble turned and lashed out with a backhanded slash from left to right, more controlled this time and Aleron merely threw his head backwards to avoid the point, before stepping to the left to avoid the anticipated right hand chop, Aleron took the opportunity to lash out with the hilt of his sword against the man's helmeted temple and sent him stumbling away. He grinned mockingly, letting the noble rise once again and set himself up for another swing, which Aleron caught on the ringmail of his left arm before quickly slashing his sword along the back of the man's knee cutting the tendons and forcing him to fall to his knees. Aleron smiled then, and with a lightning fast movement removed the man's head from his shoulders.*

"I warned you old man."

*Aleron took a rag from his bag on his belt and wiped his sword clean before sheathing it and walking off, on to another village, another adventure.*

*The Starlight-class freighter drifted down from orbit at what seemed to be hesitant speed, as though the pilot desired to fly fast and at a leisurely pace at the same time. The pilot, however, didn't seem to notice, as he only headed down for a particular city.

Not just any city.

The freighter cruised downward towards the spaceport, easing its way into the hangar despite the pilot's somewhat erratic movements. He was not usually in such a jumpy mood, but there was just something about the desperation of this mission that set him off edge just a little bit. He just had this intuition, this feeling that something was about to go his way. And the last thing he wanted to do was screw it up.

The ship came down into an empty lot. It rested upon its landing struts as the engines whined and died down. Interitus quickly unbuckled himself from the pilot's chair and stood. While normally he had no regard for the public eye and set about in his typical Sith appearance, this time, he would be more careful. This was once his home; stories could have spread, he could have a reputation, they would be looking out for suspicious figures. Which was why he was not wearing his helmet, nor his deadly claws. He instead donned a thick, dark coat, as well as a wide-brimmed hat on his head to conceal his features without needing a hood.

That didn't mean he wasn't armed; however. He still had his lightsaber and various other weapons hidden beneath the coat, ready to use at a moment's notice should he be threatened.

With a hydraulic hiss, the ramp behind the freighter's cockpit lowered to the ground, Interitus descending from it, coat billowing behind him with every long stride. The ramp sealed itself behind him as he simply headed directly for the exit of the spaceport, out into the streets of the city, his feet working automatically, recalling the path to the house as though he had traveled there yesterday.

The fingers of his right hand twitched as he entered the streets, but he held them still; now was not the time to be getting ahead of himself. However, unlike his last visit here all those many years ago, he was patient in his steps, simply a shadowy figure that actually had regard for his fellow pedestrians, unlike the last time, where he simply shunted aside anyone in his way, including a small child.

But that was before he had a grip on his insanity.

He put on a faux smile as he walked, even occasionally nodding and exchanging "friendly" greetings with passersby. Much different from his last approach. But it helped him keep a cool edge and maintain his facade. And so he continued onward into the town, one that was quite different than the typical natural environment of Panatha, though that didn't mean that the Epicanthix population of this city was any less cultural than their brethren across the rest of the world.

And eventually he found it: An old, rundown, fading building. The lawn was overgrown and dead, brown in patches. The stone pathway was covered in weeds; only some gray rocks were apparent. The gate was rusty and squeaked with each movement, opening and closing with a telltale bang. Interitus glanced about the surrounding area, extending his senses to be sure he wasn't being watched. He shouldn't have been surprised to see this place as abandoned as it was. He also wouldn't have been surprised if there were local superstitions about the former residence. And he had to admit, if there were, he was rather curious to know about them.

But now wasn't the time. He pulled open the gate and slipped inside, grinning at the screech of the resisting, rusted hinge. His boots crushed dead weeds as he traversed the walkway and to the steps. Wood creaked dangerously as he ascended them. But when he made it to the front door and found it slightly unhinged, he realized something: Someone had just been here. But who? Who could possibly have wanted to come here?

... he could only think of a handful of people.

Control lost, he lifted his right leg and kicked the door in; splintering wood meant that the hinges of this door had rusted too, causing it to crack under the pressure, though still remained attached to the frame. Barely. He stepped into the living area; apart from a thick layer of dust, it was unchanged from how he had last seen it more than thirteen years ago. But he had no time to reminisce. He stepped into the room, boots and the tail of his coat stirring up dust with each movement.

But he paused, stopping just short of bellowing out, demanding the intruder to show themselves. For there, imprinted within the thick, dusty layer upon the ground, was something that caught his eye: Footprints...*

There it was, the one thing that brought back memories of a good time in her life, during her first marriage. They were few and far between, but being in this house again, flipping through an old book of pictures, faded and warn, helped bring those memories back.

Neera wasn't really one for riches or power. She was a quiet sort, who liked the memories of the past, and the promises of the future. Though, recently there had been little promise of the future, at least, not any good ones. That as why she was here, looking through the old things of the past, hoping to restore her mind to its brave, and not so paranoid state.

Where were her sons, her daughter? Why had her husband turned on them like some fierce animal? Why had Sonnas been killed? Why did Talib help them so much, and where was he now?

Those questions were not the worse of them. They were just wondering thoughts, mingled with the bloody reality that had stolen the woman's youth from her. The most, horrific question of all was simply, Could she had done better? as a mother, a wife, a friend, a protector, an Epikanthix?

Her answer to all of thees questions was no. Tears stung her eyes, threatening to form into actual droplets of liquid, and slip down her cheeks.

But a sound shattered every feeling that stabbed at her heart now. Her eyes flew wide and she stood, dropping the old picture album to the floor in a heap of crumpled pages. Dust pooled around the dropped item, consuming it like ants swarming some poor insect who had suddenly lost the ability to fly. Neera's eyes shot to the door which was now swinging ajar. Thankfully, her position was just within the door frame of another portion of the house. The intruder hadn't seen her yet. Indeed, she readied herself to attack this person, with all the force she could muster, and that was indeed quiet a lot.

But something held her back...A feeling, a chill, a memory.

Her eyes dilated slightly as she darted back behind the door, and slipped into the kitchen. Her breath caught in her throat, threatening to choke her up from the dust in the air. But she dare not make a sound. Some how, she knew who this man was. Some how, she knew that if he found her, the pain would not end until her last breath left her lungs. Some how, she knew she had to stay hidden to survive.

Opening the door to the pantry, the woman cringed at the creaking the old hinges had made. With out caring, she slipped into the rather large pantry, closing the door securely behind her. And she was cast in the dark. She pressed her back against the wood frame, farther away from the door as she could get. Her eyes peered through the very slender crack the two doors made when coming together, and she listened to the heavy foot falls the being made. Her heart felt like it was as loud... if not more so, than those foot steps.

There were few beings in the universe that she would cower from...especially now, but this, this man, was one of them.

*The footprints were slightly small, if it were an Epicanthix's foot. Feminine, he would have to guess. ... She was here?! Interitus felt a strange mixture of desperation and sickening glee well up within him, as his head jerked about, eyes darting here and there for any sign of the woman.

At last, after so many years, they were in the same place. He had found her. She was not getting away.

The squeak of rusted hinges caught Interitus's trained ear, and he ceased movements completely. The sound of wood upon wood, and a very soft click. ... She had heard him. And she was trying to escape! ... or hide... Neera was always a clever girl... She could have darted through the back door, but why not hide somewhere else, attempting to trick him into thinking she left the house? He would go outside one exit and she would flee through the front door. And for that matter, why would she take the time to close the door when a quieter getaway would have served her perfectly?

She was still in the house.

Footprints led into the kitchen. Interitus followed them like a hound on the scent. He passed through the threshold and his eyes swept every millimeter of the room. There was something of a light stench in here... Rotted food, perhaps. Or maybe a colony of pests had lived├óÔé¼ÔÇØand died├óÔé¼ÔÇØin some corner of this room. Interitus paused, letting his eyes fall still and his ears pick up any sound he could. He could sense her. She was close. But he heard nothing. There were only the prints on the floor, and a streak from where a door had slid across the dust field.

The pantry...

Interitus let a cruel and sinister grin creep onto his lips. She would have learned by now. If she knew he might not have fallen for his trap, she would be waiting for him with a weapon. If not... then she truly hadn't learned... while at least it would have been simpler on him, he preferred a struggle.

It was why he had liked her so much.

And now to surprise her... There were several ways he could approach this door. He had scant seconds to decide. Subtle? Direct? Or over-the-top? ... normally the answer would have become clear when the third option became available, but he wanted her intact. And he knew just how to do it now. He sneered to himself and slowly hummed in an oily tone, musing to himself as though no one else were listening, as he slowly stepped towards the pantry with long, arcing strides.*
Hmm... I wonder if there's anything good left in the pantry...
*The floor creaked softly with each step as he closed the distance to the pantry. He was alert, ready for any potential retaliation. But now he was standing just before the door. He had to time this perfectly.

His left hand quickly lifted up, gripping the handle of the pantry. As soon as he turned it, he, in one quick movement, jerked the door open, right hand shooting out and into the pantry, attempting to seize her by the neck. As the door opened and light helped fill his vision, it helped his aim become easier, as his large and strong fingers now aiming for her neck in a lightning-quick motion, gripping for her, all the while a horrid, malicious, leering, yet gleeful grin spread across his features.*
Oooh, this looks damn tasty...

Old rotting food, a few dishes, and a few eating utensils were still left in the pantry. The stale stench of the food didn't bother Neera, as long as she got away safely. But it didn't look like that would happen. She heard the foot steps coming closer and closer to her position, and then, heard words that chilled her bones and froze her hreat within her chest. He spoke, and she understood then, that he knew exactly where she was.

She moved her right hand around, feeling and fumbling for anything useful. She felt metal and clinched onto it, feeling it with her finger. Perfect, it was a knife, perhaps for cutting meat. In that short span of time it took the man to walk the distance between the door, and her hiding place, Neera remembered how alive the kitchen use to be, and how she use to cook. She did so love cooking, creating something that people could eat and enjoy. She loved to taste everything after finishing, and add what needed to be added when it was all said in done. She loved experimenting with different ingredients.

Her thoughts were cut short when the door was almost torn from the pantry, and a hand shot for her neck, quicker than she could even blink. A scream erupted from the woman's being, as it became strangled, and finally stopped all together. He'd gotten her throat, and her dark eyes widened, peering at him with a horrified expression. With out delay, she ordered her mind and thrust forward the knife she held within her right hand, aiming for the man's right shoulder, hoping that would encourage him to release her neck.

Flashes of memories.... how did he know she was here? What would he do to her now? Thankfully, she did not know where the children were, and thus, if he wanted that information, he could torment her till the end of time, and she could not tell him. That was one reason she'd told them to go... to flee, and not tell her where they were. For Neera, with out the force.. know nothing of their location, and as long as they stayed safe, she could die, resting in peace.

*He had her. Grip locked around her neck. He made sure that he kept it tight enough to keep her from escaping, but not tight enough to restrict her breathing. She had always been a strong woman. Some slight bruising wouldn't bother her now. Not as much as a crushed trachea would later.

A sudden flash of an item moving through the air. A knife. Interitus silently jerked his head to the side and attempted to sidestep in case it was aimed for his face or neck, but instead, it simply embedded itself into his shoulder, though the thickness of his coat and underarmor managed to give enough resistance to keep it from sliding through as deep as Neera had intended. Not that it mattered. Interitus still felt the pain. And it only sent a flare from his shoulder to his mind. Emotions, feelings roared.

This was no real pain.

She could not inflict greater pain on him than she had all those years ago. This was nothing. And in Interitus's warped mind, it was like a sign. A sign that she couldn't hurt him like that again. He grinned to himself, reaching up with his free left hand, gripping her wrist and pulling it away from the knife. He then took the hilt and easily pulled it out of his thick, muscled flesh. He examined the blood upon the blade for a brief moment, as though intrigued, then grinned at Neera. He then, with his strong arm, drew her face close to his.

And then he whispered to her in Epicant.*
[My dear love.]
*And with that, he threw his left arm around her back, knife still in his grip though kept at a low angle. His right hand then released her neck and slid to the back of her head, fingers weaving their way through her hair as he lowered his face towards her, using his right to force her head forward as well as he pressed his lips against his, whether or not she would attempt to struggle. And then he bit her lower lip, tugging on it playfully with his teeth, giving her a fierce, passionate gaze, though mingled with that crazed look he couldn't shake, not even in the presence of his once lover.*
Where have you been, my love? Why have you eluded me so? Please tell me, where are the children?
*For Interitus, this was his elation. For any observer, they might find his mannerisms even more insane than normal. For Neera's leaving him and taking the children was his doing, but he refused to believe he had done anything wrong. And as prepared as he was to go to any means necessary to make her see that, he was also just as willing to believe she could have discovered that on her own and would take him back without question.

This was her test. Interitus would know what to do from there.*

And she trembled, as he gripped her wrist, pulling it free of her weapon, that only thing of defense she had. Her fingers slid easily, all be it, begrudgingly, away from the blade. Then, as if it meant nothing to him, he plucked the blade from his shoulder. Blood seemed to have always intrigued him, and now was just another testament to that fact. Her face was drown closer to his, and the closeness made her quaver even more. His words did little to calm her, and all she could do was peer into his eyes. Then, rather quickly, he slipped his left hand behind her back, still wielding the blade, and drew her closer to him.

A light gasp was taken in through her lips as her body neared his own, and she jerked her head up to look at him. His other hand left her neck, and she breathed in sharply, regaining lost air in her lungs. Her eyes widened as he drew his lips closer to her's, his hand pressing her head forward, giving little room for her to brake away. Small seconds before their lips made contact, a quavering breath escaped her person, and then the moment she'd been dreading took place.

Forgetting the knife's presence, Neera jolted a few times, pressing against him with her hands in attempt to get away. Her efforts were pointless of course, and knowing that, was probably the worse kind of torture, even more so than the physical side of things. She felt the pressure and pulling on her lower lip, and it just caused tears to begin their formation around her eyes.

Finally he pulled away and looked at her with those fiery eyes of passion. Those eyes frightened her. And then, he asked those questions, those questions she expected from him should they ever encounter one another again. They were painful, but their answers were obvious. She couldn't find a voice to respond, to answer the first two questions. She only stood there, peering at him with eyes that welled with so much emotion. Her voice was stilled,

Until he asked about the children.

She narrowed her eyes then, like a protective mother should, and answered in but a whisper, though it was a firm one

I. don't know.

She breathed out again, closing her eyes and lowering her expression, hoping he'd let her go, praying he'd not attempt to torment her further.

Kasim, Let go.

She spoke again, this time in more of a demanding tone, though, it was still softly spoken. Neera didn't have the force. She wasn't as strong as the men of her race, and she was easily frightened, but when the situation called for it, Neera could become as tough as nails, at least in words. It was the only way she'd survived this man's first attacks, and it was how she survived his student's attempts also. It was why she was able to send her children away, and it was why she hadn't taken her own life yet, or fallen into insanity like the one holding her had.

*To feel her struggling against his body, oh did it take Interitus back. In his long years where he forsook the company and touch of others, it was like pure euphoria, and Interitus longed for... more... ... but not here. Not now.

He looked upon her as he released his lips from hers. His dark eyes fell upon hers, filling with small tears and fear. He relished both these things. And that was why he kept her head held close as he tilted her head forward and pressed his lips against both her eye sockets, kissing them, but also absorbing the small amount of tears she had produced. He even felt as though he were imbibing the fear within them as well.

But then suddenly, she was firm again. Her eyes were narrowed. Her voice was soft, but firm. She claimed not to know. Now Interitus frowned, attempting to stare into her eyes as though seeking the truth within them. But she had closed them, breathing slowly. He felt the breath tickle the skin of his neck. It had been a long time since he had felt that. Euphoria rose again.

She used his name. No... not his name. Not anymore. And he was demanding he let her go. That only made him pull her body up against his, and he lowered his head so that his forehead rested against hers as he stared into her eyes.

She was not lying. She knew not where the children. Interesting. But why was she pushing him away? He wasn't being violent to her. He never had been. That he wanted to think of. There was no need for the fear. He just wanted them all together again. One happy family. Just as they once were.*
Why should I release that which I once lost? Why do you not know where our children are? Are you not their mother? Do you not care enough for them that you abandon them to the galaxy on their own, without your guidance?
*Doubt. A powerful ally. It was one of his many tools he had been preparing for this moment. He would make Neera see. He would bring her to his side. He would lead him to the children. They would be reunited. And he could share his power with them... Why couldn't she see the benefits of that? But he would make her see. Soon enough.*

Another gasp shot through her lips as Neera was pulled closer to him, in response to her telling him to release her. Obviously he wasn't in the mood to comply, but then again, when had he ever been in that kind of mood. She supposed she should be grateful that he wasn't actually, physically harming her.

But his questions might as well, have been daggers at her heart.

So many questions! Her eyes closed softly as he kissed them, each time eliciting a shiver from the woman's frame. Her breath quickened as he pressed his head against hers, and her eyes remained closed, unable to look into his seeking ones. She couldn't, she just couldn't look into them. Not now, not ever again.

His question about her being the childrens' mother, caused her previously relaxing form, to tighten again. Her eyes sprang opened, and defiance wrote itself across her face.

I'd rather them be out there, than anywhere near you.

She spat bitterly, her breath sharp against his chest. Her head snapped up to look at him, but yet again, she was forced to look away. There was no need to struggle. It would be pointless by this point. Thus, Neera once again relaxed, hoping, praying that he'd not find the children, that he'd not harm her any more than he already had, that... perhaps, he'd just let her go.

But it would be a false hope.

*She was avoiding his eyes. His passionate, searching eyes. They were alit with a fiery desire for her to just look into them. To have that look into those green, luminous orbs of hers, those that he had stared into many a time under various circumstances, whether joyous or sorrowful or angry or lonely... or fearful. She feared him.

Rightfully so.

That was her place.

But she was still being firm. Still being adamant. Practically spitting that she would rather the children be anywhere but near him. Of course she'd say that. But she was wrong. They were alone out there in the galaxy somewhere. And she hadn't sensed it. She couldn't have. She had not the Force. He had always desired strength in his children, had planned to betroth himself to a woman strong in the Force to ensure this, but he had made exception. For her. And for good reason. He had had wonderful children.

And poor students.

A sensation had ripped through him those months ago, tearing him apart and driving him further over the brink of insanity. And now, as though reliving those moments, the pain and anger flared within him. His teeth bared as he hissed a sickening sound through them.

His left arm's grip around her waist tightened. His right hand clutched her head. He drew her up off the ground as he tilted backwards at the knees and waist, pressing his forehead against hers as though attempting to bore through it with blunt flesh, his eyes truly fiery now, but with something completely different.

Hatred.*
And because of that, Zuli is dead!
*As he roared this, he withdrew his left arm from her back, though the knife, which had still rested tightly in his left hand, pointed downwards, would cut across her lower back, easily slicing nearly half an inch into her flesh. As his left arm came to his side, upraised, he released his hand from her head and pressed it against her bosom.*
Because of your abandonment...
*He then, with the combined strength of his Epicanthix muscles, as well as that of the dark side of the Force, he thrust his arm forward, throwing her back further into the pantry, against the shelves and the dust and whatever had been left of the time when they had once occupied this place.*
... our daughter no longer lives!
*Fury was guiding his actions now. Chaos was his conscience. It knew no favorites. It was fair. He stood there in the doorway, breaths deep and dissonant, even though he was not wearing the helmet that translated his words and breathing into harsh tones. He then stepped forward, kneeling over what would certainly be her fallen form, raising his left arm, rotating the knife in his palm so that the sharp edge would be facing outwards. It was menacing. And it was clear that now, Interitus didn't seem likely to take any prisoners.

But he just remained in that still form, intending to strike no more than fear, and obedience into his once-lover. And, more importantly than both of those, doubt...*

A scream bubbled up from her throat and spilled out her lips as she felt cold metal inter her body and rent her flesh in two. Her eyes were wide, tears spilling over the now slightly sagging eyelids and running more trails of salty liquid down her cheeks. The words brushed her mind, but nothing made sense. She wasn't able to actually comprehend them before she found her whole body slammed against the wood and shelves, which actually began to splinter under the pressure of her quickly flying body.

A grunt of pain escaped her being as she slumped there, huddled on the floor of the pantry. Then...then his words made sense.

Zuli had been taken by the man who had killed Sonnas. Neera was certain that they would retrieve her, but now, all hopes of that were gone. Her daughter, beloved first child, was dead. It was confirmed now. That overshadowed all the pain she felt in her now bleeding flesh, all the fear she felt at looking up and seeing this man holding a blade toward her, looking like he was intent on killing. Sorrow settled like a cloud over her pained expression, the expression of a broken hearted mother.

But what if it was a lie?

no...

She whispered, attempting to get to her feet. It was difficult. She was certain something had pulled, or cracked, or bruised as she was flung backwards. The air had not fully inflated her lungs yet. She was still coughing slightly. Even still, she spoke shakily.

No, it's a ... a lie... Zuli's still out there somewhere! Why do you lie to me?!

Hatred plastered itself on her face also as she finally made it to her feet, unsettled. Her frame wavered this way and that, but her eyes peered up at him with a spiteful glint.

If you''re going to kill me then by all means, get it over with....If not, then leave me be.

She clinched her teeth, hands tightening into angered fists. She waited, because that was all she could do... She could never physically match this being, and thus, she was trapped.

*A scream. Tears. Appropriate responses. Sounds and sights he relished inflicting. What Interitus normally desired to see. But not what he was looking for here. He wanted something different. He wanted despair.

And he wanted submission.

He saw it in her eyes. Felt it in the air. Shock, emptiness at the knowledge that their firstborn was now dead. And for a moment, mingled within the sorrow of her being and expression, Interitus believed he was finally getting a taste of that despair he so longed for. But she quickly subdued it. Replacing it with some semblance of false steadiness.

Disbelief. She didn't believe him. She stood, though with difficulty, and claimed he was lying. And she was attempting to bury her emotions with hatred. That stung Interitus, but it also fed his own rage. And she insinuated that he wanted to kill her. He didn't intend to do that. Nor did he intend to leave her be.

He lunged forward, right arm lashing out as he struck her across the face with the back of his hand, screaming at her as he did so.*
Why would I lie about our child's death?! How could you accuse me of such a horrid gesture?!
*Then his right hand lowered just enough to come upward, gripping at her throat just below her jaw as he lifted her up into the air, his eyes, irises reddened from the malice and rage within him, locking onto her pitiful expression, voice quieter but no less malignant.*
And why would I kill that which I wanted to protect?!
*These accusations, this mistrust, this hatred she was giving him... Just what was she doing to him?! He loved her, and she repaid him by fleeing and taking the children away from him! And now their daughter was dead! This was completely her fault and no other's! If she hadn't broken up the family, they would still be together and Zuli would still be alive!*
Where are the boys? Or will you abandon them to meet their fate before their time as well?!
*The boys. His sons. They would carry on his lineage and his legacy. No... just the one. The other did not have the Force. He was... insignificant. A liability. He would have rather lost him than Zuli. But the other son... Interitus would not suffer him to be lost as well. And this woman was his greatest key to finding him once more...*

Why would he lie about that? WHY? Neera almost screamed at him. She almost flailed, wishing to just fly into him and dig her nails into him. But there was no point to that. Her anger was stifled so greatly that it burned, almost physically within her. Her breath came heavy, her eyes burned with hatred. He'd never loved the children. And she was fully convinced that he had never, truly loved her. How could someone so vicious love her the way he said he did?

Her thoughts were brought to halt as his hand came slamming into the side of her face and she was flung to the side of the pantry again. She cried out in agony and shock, her eyes flying wide and peering off into nothing, dazed for a moment. Reaching up, she was about to put her hand on her now bleeding jaw, when his own, iron grip fastened around her jaw and pulled her up off the ground.

Quavering, she looked at him, gripping his wrists with her hands and opening and closing her mouth a few times with no sound. Her breath became frantic and quick as she clinched her eyes shut, pretending this wasn't happening.

I....I told you..... I don't ...don't know....

She swallowed, still attempting to pry his hand from her face. Her eyes opened again, focusing on his figure and truth was within them. She honestly didn't know. She added in a bitter tone.

And...if they're still together... You won't find them...

She said this, because she knew Zemear. He'd not let anything happen to his brother. She'd watched him violently defend them both, and she knew that he could only grow stronger. Clinching her teeth she struggled madly against his grip, to little avail and spat at him again.

They know the true monster you really are...

She felt satisfied now, as if her anger had been satiated. Relenting on her struggling, she looked at him once more, coldly, with that violent fire behind her eyes, falling silent.

*He watched her. He searched her, through all the blood and the tears... Oh, those were mystifying liquids indeed, and at any other time Interitus may have stopped to dwell on these just a little longer. But this situation was more urgent.

She was once again claiming not to know where the boys were. Her hesitance in her answer made her once again not believe her. And yet... Perhaps, it was more than just motherly protection. For he could read no lie within her, as much as he desired to, as much as he wanted to believe she could lead him right to them... ... it was not to be true.

He almost wanted to strike at her again, but how was this her fault? How was she to blame for not knowing where Zemear and Covi were├óÔé¼ÔÇØ ... of course she was to blame. She let them go without learning where they were going first! Once again, this was all her fault!

But wait. She was speaking again. Bitterly, bitingly, claiming he would never find them. That they knew "the true monster" that Interitus "really" was. How... how could she keep assuming that? He sneered at her, lowering her towards the ground, but then pulled her closely with one large, strong arm, pinning her own arms to her sides and rendering her unable to use them against him.*
"Monster"? Monsters only cause injury.
*As he spoke, he raised the life in his left hand, twirling it so that the blade was facing upward, then lifted it to her neck. When he finished speaking, he cut her flesh, a small, minor wound, just barely enough to draw blood. His expression remained in that sneer, unbreaking, not even watching his handiwork; it was muscle memory to him. And then he slowly leaned his head forward, towards her, tilting it towards the left, whispering seductively into her ear.*
I lick the wounds clean.
*And then, he lowered his mouth towards the cut he had created, opening it and letting his tongue extend past his lips, folding downward and brushing against the skin of Neera's neck, sliding across the wound, carrying out his words in a literal manner as he lapped up the copper-tasting liquid, then withdrawing his tongue, savoring the taste like some sort of predator.

He then grinned at her playfully, but something made him pause... There was another presence about them. Not here, but elsewhere. Reaching out from across the stars, as only two very close beings could do. It was specifically seeking out... her... Interitus's eyes widened, and his gaze became distant as he extended his own awareness, picking up on this strange new presence and identifying its origin├óÔé¼ÔÇØ

... No way... Could it be... his own son? Zemear? Interitus clung to this presence with all his might, tracing it in his mind. He was deep in concentration, focusing, dearly focusing with all his might upon the source, trying to locate it. Trying to see and visualize where he was. Where his brother was. What planet he was broadcasting from.

With anyone else this would be difficult, nearly impossible. With his own flesh and blood, it was simpler.

Very distant. That's all Interitus could determine. But faint images were coming to his mind. He could see his son, vaguely, but enough to determine that he was stronger, sharper, older... His brother Covi was with him, similarly older, but not nearly as well built. There was another, the figure of a man, but Interitus could not make out his features; he was unimportant. And there was one more. One that was├óÔé¼ÔÇØ

... It was him.

Interitus growled audibly, but continued to focus intensely, trying to determine their location once and for all. Green grass, strange plants, were all the glimpses he were getting├óÔé¼ÔÇØ He knew those plants. He had studied various planets and these? These were the exotic kinds of plants one would find on one world, and one world only.*
Let us go, my dear. I hear Felucia... is nice this time of the cycle.
*He gave her another sneering look, his tone and expression laced with knowing, with taunting, as though she should understand that not only had he found them, but that it was because he had the Force that he could, and that she would have known had she had the Force. And she didn't.

But he wasted no time. He slid the knife into an internal pocket of his coat, then released his arm from around her. He then reached forward with his left hand, gripping her right tightly and pulling her out of the cabinet.*
Don't struggle... don't attempt to get away... I probably won't kill you if you try, but the civilians I do kill will be on your head...
*If that didn't make her comply, he wasn't sure what would. He didn't want to kill her. He wasn't planning on it. He wouldn't, as long as he could help it. But there was nothing wrong with a little senseless murder of civilians. He just wanted to escape as subtly as possible. If that didn't work out, well, he always did enjoy causing a little random mayhem...*

He held her there for a moment, and then, pulled her closer to him once more. He spoke, his vouce almost poisonous to her by this point. Her sharp eyes were narrowed. The loss of her first born child lay heavily on her heart. The look of a grieving mother was clear on her face, but also a defiant woman. The contrast was almost uncanny.

Then she felt the soft, yet biting pain of the blade as it slid into her skin, just a fraction of an inch. She winced slightly and peered up at him with widened eyes. His intentions were soon made clear as he leaned close and whispered in her ear. She shivered, almost feeling like her stubborn nature didn't matter any more. She almost felt like yielding to him completely, but why? She didn't know anything. She had no -- She flinched as she felt the moist sensation of his tongue brush against the wound, making it tingle again. A light gasp filled her lungs and came out as a quavering sigh.

He released her again. She couldn't think of anything to say, how to respond, what to think. The first thing that intered her mind was to run, and run quickly, but before she could preform that action she was clasped by the hand and pulled free of her hiding place. She looked at him again, with faltering eyes, and at his threat, she lowered her gaze and meekly followed him.

Felucia?.... Was that where they were? But how did he-... how could he have?...

Despair welled up within her, and tears began to bulge at her eyes again. She only hoped that her sons were stronger than when they had left her. Zemear had simply walked away with that "I'm coming back, whether you like it or not" look, and Covi had even shed tears. The joy at seeing her children was mingled with the horrific dread of what their father would do to them.... and then the question.

Did they even remember him?

*To his simultaneous delight and disappointment, she didn't struggle as he pulled her from the cupboard and towards the door, heading back out into the open air of Panatha. She was acting all teary, however; that could draw slight suspicion. He slowed his step, staying beside her. He even released her hand and put an arm around her and forced a somber expression, as though he were simultaneously mourning with her and trying to comfort her. He had to be subtle, or else something bad could happen. Well, not bad, just tedious.

He took her all the way past the streets and shops, back to the spaceport, returning to his Starlight-class vessel. He activated the boarding ramp, then led Neera up into it. Once aboard, he dropped the facade and told her to sit down and strap in. He then added something about how this would be a "long ride," but with a tone that suggested it was more than just a mere fact. Once she was secure, Interitus headed to the cockpit, where he took the ship off of its landing struts and headed out of the spaceport, up to the orbit...*