Jaq Rand sat quietly at a table in a corner of the soldiers' mess. Rowdy groups of Sith soldiers, assassins, and officers surrounded him. Jaq, unlike them, sat on his own with his back to the room—as was his habit—and stared blankly at the glass in front of him. Alcohol was becoming a bit of a rarity in that corner of the galaxy. The Sith's supply was drastically cut shortly after the Jedi Civil War had broken out. Jaq, however, always seemed to have a steady supply. He had made a few useful contacts over the years and easily managed to get alcohol smuggled to him on the space station. Ever since the war started, he had only run out once; and considering the fact that some of the soldiers had not as much as smelled any kind of alcohol in a few months, Jaq's source was clearly reliable. He had made it a habit of always having a flask of Corellian brandy on him. That is, always except for that particular day: after had happened, he had decided that one was simply not going to be enough.
He downed his drink and shut his eyes with a pained expression. That Jedi… He exhaled deeply. There was something about what she had said… about what she had told him… She had known exactly what to say. He still wasn't sure whether he should trust her. Jedi did lie and manipulate, after all. And she was likely no exception. He reached into his uniform pocket, pulled out his flask and pour himself another drink. He shook his head. If the Jedi had been right… and in his heart, he knew she was… then he was in danger. He had met with Lord Revan a few times already, and each time she had kept him around longer, though they had never been completely alone together. Darth Malak was always there with her—inexplicably glaring at him, though Jaq had never thought much of it; Malak was always glaring at somebody. But Revan had seemed… well, Jaq wouldn't have gone as far as saying she was interested in him, but she definitely seemed intrigued. If she didn't already know Jaq had the Force in him, she was bound to realize it the next time she saw him… and then what?
He slammed back his drink and reached into his pocket again. He frowned. The flask felt unusually light. He emptied it into his glass, then pulled out a second flask from a different pocket, and filled the glass to the rim. He raised it to his lips and proceeded to glance uneasily around the room. She was back. Jaq had heard that Lord Revan was back on the space station. He hadn't seen her in a long time: a few months… maybe even up to a year. He hadn't exactly been keeping track. She couldn't afford to stay put for too long, with the war going on and every single Jedi in the galaxy looking for her. And beside—he suspected that she had been out in the Unknown Regions during that time, breaking Jedi—turning them, just as that Jedi had described to him earlier that day… and just as she had claimed Revan would do to him. And then he'd truly become Lord Revan's Favorite Little Killer.
He sneered and snorted. Why the hell would they call me that, anyway? The woman barely ever talks to me. I don't even know what she looks like! I suppose I did bring her more than my share of captured Jedi, and she did tell me once she was glad to have soldiers like me on her side, but still… His stomach churned over the memory. Never in his life had he felt so proud as he had that day, and thinking about it now almost made him nauseous. She had always known exactly what to tell him, and he had always faithfully followed her without question, regardless of whether he agreed with her or not. It never even occurred to him to disagree with her. He had no idea what she really looked like, but never had he felt so attracted to a woman before… yet at the same time he loathed her more than anyone he'd ever met.
He shuddered. He grabbed his flask one more time, twisted the cap, and just as he was about to pour himself another glass, stopped, shrugged and started drinking straight from it. After all, he had stopped mixing his drinks half an hour ago, and was now drinking straight alcohol, without even bothering with ice cubes. Was there even a reason to use a glass at this point?
Glad to have soldiers like me on her side, she says… Not entirely sure if I even want to be on her side anymore. I don't want to be on any side. I just want to get away from all this. What did that Jedi schutta do to me today? Damn Jedi… I knew she'd be trouble—had a bad feeling about her. Glad I killed her. I need to forget what happened.
As Jaq took another swig from his flask, what he tried most to forget was the new emotion he could feel swelling from within him: guilt. He was used to anger, impatience, lust… especially lust. He had even controlled them and used them to his advantage—that was why he had been successful at capturing and killing Jedi. But now, since that last Jedi had shown him an echo of the Force right before he killed her, he couldn't stop feeling. All his emotions came tumbling out, and for the first time since he blindly and faithfully followed Revan after the Mandalorian Wars, he started second-guessing himself. And now the guilt—he took another swig. Well the guilt certainly did seem easier to bear now that he had a few drinks in him. A few… right… I lost count. Am I on my second or third flask at this point? Must be the second… I'd be passed out on the floor if I was on my third, and soldiers would be rooting through my pockets right about now. He vaguely felt around his pockets to check how many empty flasks were on him, but he shrugged and resumed drinking right away. Bah. Does it matter? As long as I forget all that's happened today… As long as I forget about this guilt. This stupid, stupid guilt that's going to get me noticed, singled out and shipped off to the Unknown Regions. When I see Revan… and I know I will; every time she's on the station I see her. When I see her… He shut his eyes and shielded them with his hands, his elbows leaned on the table. He groaned. What am I going to do? I can't stay… I don't even know why I came back to the space station after killing that Jedi… But I can't leave! They'll hunt me down and kill me. Deserting the Sith wouldn't be as easy as deserting the Republic. Revan—
Jaq frowned as he sensed an ominous presence nearby. Total is fourteen… play plus six card… total is twenty, I take the match. Deal new game… Jaq opened his eyes and raised his head, a smug grin on his lips, and turned around. If you think you'll be able to catch me off-guard, my Lord…
Looking up, he stared directly at Revan who now stood wordlessly before him. That is, he guessed it was Revan, because he knew what her presence felt like. In fact, she looked nothing like she had when he last saw her. Strange, I didn't think she even owned any other clothes. You can actually tell she's female today. That's quite the improvement. Still can't see her face, though… He swallowed as he took in her new appearance, his eyes slowly making their way up. A long, black cloak covered her entire body as usual, but hugged her curves a bit better. A hood loosely framed her masked face, but failed to completely hide her long black hair. Jaq's grin vanished when he noticed her hair. He had never seen it before, and it made her look almost… human. An irresistible urge to feel that hair between his fingers and to rip that mask off came over him. Damn Jedi… what did she do to me? he asked himself yet again. I can't even control my emotions anymore… I'm actually lusting after Lord Revan. The hell is wrong with me? Am I really that desperate? She's the most sadistic person I've ever met. Sometimes I wonder about myself, I really do…
Realizing he had been silently ogling the Dark Lord for far too long, Jaq recovered his cocky expression and deliberately spun back around, dropped his eyes down to the table and turned his attention back to drinking. "'Sup, Rev?" he muttered irreverently after swallowing a mouthful of brandy. Gotta play dumb. Can't have her guess what I'm thinking… what happened today… what I know… He furiously counted cards as he did his best to project the only emotions he could feel at that moment: fear and lust.
Revan slowly walked over and stood to his right. He could almost sense her sneer beneath her mask as she answered with a drawl, "Rev? That's a new one…" She laughed unpleasantly. Jaq took a drink in a valiant effort to appear nonchalant. Revan's eyes dropped down to the bottle. "I think you've been drinking too much, Jaq," she said with a threatening snarl. She remembers my name? I can't figure out whether that's a good or a bad thing… He raised the flask to his lips once more before replying.
"Too much?" he asked flippantly. "Define 'too much', Lord…" He eyed her pleasing figure lecherously. "Or should I say 'Lady'?" he added with an insolent, vulgar smile. Can't have her know… She can't find out… There's no way I'm getting shipped off to the Unknown—
"Get up, Jaq Rand!" she ordered in a cold, haughty, dangerous tone. Yup. A bad thing. Definitely a bad thing that she remembers my name. He reluctantly obeyed and faced her. Her hand rose slowly as she spoke. "You know perfectly well how you should be addressing your Lord…" Her hand twitched slightly and he felt something pressing on either side of his trachea. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. Revan continued calmly and cruelly, "And I'm quite certain you know that that is not the way…" He felt his throat become increasingly constricted and breathing grew more difficult. Blood rushed to his head and he vainly tugged at his uniform collar. I'm going to die. She's going to kill me like she did with that other guy I saw get choked. Well, I guess it's not so bad… easy way out of this. I'm not going to give that schutta the satisfaction of seeing me cower and beg for my life. It's not worth that much.
He drew himself up and tried to stare Revan down as much as he could, considering his state of inebriation, and the fact he was no longer able to breathe. He made no effort to hide the contempt and hatred he felt for her as he glared at her. He suddenly felt his throat get released, and the pounding he was starting to feel in his head went away. Not breaking eye contact, he breathed in deeply, pursed his lips, and shot Revan a black look.
"Yes, of course," he said icily. He narrowed his eyes. "Forgive me, Lord Revan," he added with scornful emphasis. Jaq pivoted back toward the table, assuming that the Dark Lord would turn and leave him alone. He deliberately sat back down, cleared his throat again, and chugged back the rest of his brandy. As he twisted the cap back on, he noticed that the foreboding presence beside him had not moved.
"You are quite willful, Jaq Rand," said the cruel voice to his right. Did she sound… amused? No, that can't be right…
Jaq turned to the one who addressed him and gazed steadily at her. "Yes, my Lord, I am," he said smugly. She folded her arms and appeared to be studying him closely.
"There's something else, though," she said coldly, ponderingly. "Something strange about you…" She knows. She knows you're a Force adept. Dammit, Jaq! You're not hiding it well enough! Revan cackled unpleasantly. "Your thoughts are very slippery, but there's definitely something different about you…" Jaq tried to look uninterested. He shrugged.
"Yeah, I suppose there is," he said as casually as he could. "The others always say I'm weird. That's probably why I'm sitting here getting drunk by myself as opposed to over there." He gestured toward the various other crowded tables around the room.
Revan laughed sardonically. Jaq couldn't help but cringe slightly. Hers was definitely an unpleasant laugh—but he somehow felt that if it wasn't for its bitterness and its cruel undertones, he might rather like it. She eyed him mockingly. "You must take me for a fool if you think for one second that I'm going to buy that explanation of yours," she said, sneering.
Jaq shrugged again. "Well, either you're a fool for buying the explanation, or I am one for thinking you might. Either way, one of us is a fool; and might I say, better you than me, Lordship." Did you just call her a fool? Will you shut up? She already Force choked you for less!
Expecting the worst, Jaq half-shut his eyes and braced himself for Lord Revan's reaction; but much to his surprise, she only laughed again. He waited apprehensively. "Well, I'll tell you this much, Rand, you've got balls. Either that or you're drunk and you're just plain stupid. You're lucky I don't kill you for that comment." She gazed at him steadily for a moment. "Although I might still torture you a bit. I can't have you or anyone else think they can get away with being this brazen." She unfolded her arms and started moving her hand up again. Jaq quickly shut his eyes, and Revan laughed. "Come with me, Jaq," she ordered.
Jaq opened his eyes one at a time. "I beg your pardon?" he asked, forgetting the fact that he was trying to be as impudent as possible.
"I said come with me, and don't make me say it a third time," she snapped. "I want to talk to you…" She quickly glanced around the room. "Alone."
This isn't good. If she was going to kill me, she'd have already done so. Crowds never stop her. No, it's something else. She knows about me. Maybe she knows I'm starting to think of deserting. I shouldn't follow her, but what other choice do I have?
"Do I… get to find out what this is about?" he hazarded to ask.
"I'll tell you when we're alone," she insisted sharply. "Stop making me repeat myself, Jaq."
Jaq cringed inwardly. Yes. Anger the Dark Lord of the Sith. Keep it up, Rand, and soon you won't even be able to ask questions. Without another word, Revan turned and walked out of the mess. Jaq quickly pocketed his empty flask and walked out after her as speedily as his inebriated state allowed him.
He followed her down the corridor. Revan walked rather briskly, never looking over her shoulder to see whether he was behind her or not, and Jaq was finding it difficult to keep up with her. Dammit, I wish I hadn't drunk this much… I'm lucky if I even remember this conversation we're about to have. Why do I picture myself waking up on some planet in the Unknown Regions? Where is she taking me? They turned down toward an area of the station Jaq wasn't familiar with. The officers' quarters… Never thought I'd find myself in this area… stumbling behind Lord Revan, no less. She stopped at a door at the end of the hallway and gently moved her hand in front of the lock. Jaq heard a loud click and the door opened of its own accord. Revan walked in, and Jaq hurried into the room right after her. The door closed very suddenly behind him and startled him. He swallowed uneasily. Six and ten and two and two and stand. Twenty—win the hand. Now five and seven and…
Revan slowly turned around and pulled her hood back. Jaq gasped lightly and suddenly forgot to count cards, staring at her in awe as she reached up to her face and removed her mask, revealing an ice-cold blue gaze and a cruel mouth. Jaq swallowed again. Maybe it's because I haven't been around a woman I wasn't expected to kill in the past couple months… But man, she's quite… Wow… I'm pretty sure it's not just the booze talking. This woman is gorgeous. Or at least she would be if she didn't look so… vicious.
Her mouth twisted itself into a mocking smile. "See anything you like, Jaq?" she asked derisively, referring to the fact that he had not done anything for a few minutes, safe from staring at her in awe.
He violently shook his head to snap himself out of his daze. "No, my Lord… I mean, yes…" he stammered. "I mean—I wasn't expecting… I didn't think…"
She held her hand up deprecatingly. "Stop. Just… stop." She temporarily lost her cold demeanor and shook her head in mild irritation and incredulity. "There's no way you can finish this sentence without making me feel like I should kill you for one reason or another. And I didn't bring you here to kill you. You know that as well as I do, so stop tempting me."
Jaq's eyes dropped to the floor. "Right. I'm… Um…" he muttered. Oh no. You are NOT about to apologize to her. I mean, I know she's hot, but come on! Revan clearly was waiting for him to finish his sentence, so he chose to mumble something incomprehensible that remotely sounded as though he was agreeing with her. Revan smirked lightly and Jaq risked looking up at her again, suddenly finding it very easy to project certain emotions, lust in particular. He frowned. She's the Dark Lord! What is wrong with you? You hate her! She's the most attractive woman who's paid any attention to you in months, but she's still the sadistic schutta you've grown to hate, and she's going to ship you off to the Unknown Regions so you can become one of her dark Jedi. He drew himself up. No. Not a Jedi. Not me. Light or dark, it's all the same… Nobody will ever turn me into a damn Jedi. I don't care how hot the woman is. He looked away again. Revan smiled.
"Well, I suppose now that you're done leering at me, I can tell you why I actually brought you here." Here it comes… She looked at him intently. …and seventeen plus four is twenty-one. Play minus one card, and win the match. Now four plus… Revan grinned wickedly. "Well, I suppose that since you're concealing your thoughts behind that silly card counting game of yours, that means you have a pretty good idea why you're here."
Jaq kept his gaze away from her. Four plus seven plus six…
"JAQ!" Revan barked.
Jaq suddenly looked up. "Yes, my Lord?"
Revan sighed heavily. "Look. There's no point in trying to hide your thoughts. I know you're a Force adept. I know you know it too, and that you're deathly afraid of me finding out. I know you don't want to become a Jedi. And quite frankly, I can't really blame you. I hate Jedi as well. The Jedi Order sat back and refused to move a finger when I—and Malak… and many of my friends… all decided to do something about the Mandalorian threat. And I know that you hate the entire Order for it."
Is that why you're telling me what I want to hear, my Lord? Is that why you're trying to sound like the reasonable, misunderstood woman that I know you're not? What are you trying to sell me, my Lord?
Revan tilted her head and continued to speak passionately. "And that hate is what has driven you to capture and kill Jedi for me so effectively, and I command you for it. You've been my most effective assassin, and if you think that I was blind to the fact that the Force was guiding you, you are greatly mistaken… and a bigger fool than you like to pretend you are."
Jaq's posture changed slightly and he peered at Revan with a surprised look in his eyes. "Yes," she laughed. "I've noticed that little trick of yours… play the fool so no one suspects what you're really thinking." Jaq opened his mouth to protest. "Don't even try, Jaq. I know you far better than you think I do. I've been watching you." Watching me? Jaq became uncomfortable, yet at the same time, felt strangely thrilled at the thought. "You're a lot smarter than you let on. Oh, I'm not saying you're smart as all that, but if people really do think you're a fool, then they are the fools. Malak, for instance, is dying to know what I wish to do with a weak-minded fool like yourself…"
Stop calling me a fool!
Revan looked at him approvingly. "Yes… You are impatient and short-tempered. That will serve you will. I will admit—this is the first time I notice your emotions rolling off you like this. This is definitely a change for the better."
I'm almost afraid to ask… "How… how so, my Lord?"
Revan looked Jaq in the eyes, and with a malefic smile said, "Because peace is a lie; there is only passion."
What? What is she going on about? Jaq shook his head. "But how does any of this have to do with why I'm here?"
"Yes, I was getting to that… Well, the reason why you're here, as I said, is because I've been watching you." Jaq felt himself blush slightly. "It truly is a shame you haven't been trained to do any more than you already have, because I feel you have a great potential within you… I think that with the proper training, you would make… a great apprentice." Revan paused in order to let the words sink into Jaq's head.
"What?" Jaq exclaimed incredulously after a few seconds had passed. "But… what about Malak?"
Revan shrugged. "Malak has served his purpose. He is of no further use to me. I know he's planning to kill me and take my place. I'm not blind. He might not act on it for some while still, but I know he will. And so he must be replaced…" She smiled wickedly. "He must be… disposed of." Jaq shuddered slightly, but Revan continued. "I've not come across anyone else I would rather have in his place than you, Jaq Rand." Her face softened a little, and Jaq got a glimpse of how she may have looked before the Dark Side got a hold of her. He held his breath. Revan slowly and seductively walked over to him and stood inches away from him. She tilted her head slightly and looked up at him entreatingly, yet imperiously. "You wouldn't dare say 'no' to me, would you, Jaq?" she drawled, smiling alluringly.
Jaq swallowed and fidgeted clumsily with the left pant leg of his uniform. She was close—very, very close. Far too close. He started to feel her breath on his neck. Jaq closed his eyes. "I… I wouldn't dream of it," he breathed. He slowly opened his eyes. She still stood just as near. Jaq looked at her, and unsure whether he should blame the alcohol or the sudden and distinct lack of blood in his head, he slowly ran his hand up to the back of her neck and bent his head down toward hers…
"No!" vociferated Atton. "I did not make the first move!"
Revan sneered at him. "Is that so? And just what are you basing that on? Your most excellent memory of that night's events?" She scoffed. "Only one of us remembers what happened, Jaq, and you know damn well it's not you."
Atton glanced at Revan sullenly. "I don't know… the Jedi Order did do a number on your memory… Maybe you remember it wrong," he grumbled, shifting in his seat. He stretched his legs out, reflecting that sitting atop a cargo cylinder wasn't such a good idea if you intended on doing so for a full hour, just as he and Revan had been doing as they compared notes.
Perched up on a similar storage unit across from Atton, Revan smirked, incredibly amused. "I'm afraid that's not the case, Jaq. I've recovered my memory—my real memory. You definitely made the first move." Atton opened his mouth in righteous protest, but Revan raised a hand. "But in your defense," she said reluctantly, "I suppose I was rather hoping you would initiate the—"
Atton's eyes grew wide with horror. "STOP!" he cried, throwing his hands out in front of him. "Ugh! Oh, for Force's sake, please STOP! That's just…" He shuddered and stared at Revan, almost nauseated and temporarily at a loss for words, only to resume gesticulating. "Ugh! You? And… and me?" He tightly shut his eyes for a second. This is not happening… This is just a nightmare I'm having… He shook his head violently and looked at Revan defiantly. "And there's also no way in hell that I actually accepted to become your apprentice. I'm not buying that for a second."
A mocking smile spread on Revan's lips. "You don't? That's interesting Jaq… Considering the fact you didn't hesitate long before accepting the second time I asked you."
Atton laughed. "Oh come on! You expect me to believe I actually agreed to this twi—" His smile faded and he frowned. Right. I did agree to it. She's my master. She's training me. I guess that does sort of make me her… Dammit!
"That's different!" he protested.
Revan folded her arms. "What's so different about it, Jaq?" she jeered. "The only difference I see is that this time you actually made a conscious decision to become my apprentice, so it's actually worse." Revan laughed. "Do you actually think that with you drunk and me coming on to you rather strongly, you would have actually found the nerve to say 'no'?"
Atton nodded unconvincingly. Revan smirked and hopped off her cargo cylinder. Atton's body tensed up and he held his breath in apprehension as Revan walked over to him, leaned in and flirtatiously brushed her hand against his cheek. He blushed and immediately backed away, flustered.
She raised an eyebrow. "I think you just proved my point." She laughed, rolled her eyes, and unhesitatingly headed back to her seat. "Please… You know damn well I probably could've talked out into putting on a skimpy outfit and going dancing for a Hutt if I had wanted you to. I knew you wouldn't say no if I asked you the way I did. That's why I did it. I manipulated people into doing what I wanted them to. That's how I got to where I was."
Recovering his composure, Atton interrupted her, an appalled and sickened look on his face. "Wait, wait, wait… Are you saying you manipulated me into sleeping with you?"
Revan scoffed. "Hardly. That's not at all what I said." She looked smugly at him. "Do you honestly think I would have needed to manipulate you for that?" She smiled derisively and Atton glared at her. "No… I used the biggest one of your weaknesses to convince you to become my apprentice. Everything else was just a… bonus."
Atton raised an eyebrow. "Bonus, huh?" He smirked. "That good, was it?" he asked presumptuously. It was Revan's turn to blush furiously. She uncomfortably glanced away. Atton smiled victoriously for a second, and his smile faded. "Actually wait… scratch that," he retracted. "Don't tell me how it was. Because then I'd be forced to picture it, and I really don't want that." He shuddered. "Force, do I ever not want to picture it." He rubbed his temples, shook his head and grimaced. "Frack, and here I was thinking Malak was the father."
Revan laughed sardonically. "Yeah, he wishes! A lot of people thought he was… I didn't really do anything to quash those allegations. I preferred people thought that rather than have them know I slept with one of my Jedi assassins and got dumped. He certainly didn't mind… He had a pretty serious crush on me, for some bizarre reason, and he felt threatened by you, which is why he was always there whenever you and I met… and it's also why I liked to torment him about you so much and so often."
"Torment him?" Atton repeated, confused. "Why would you have…? I mean… Rev… did you… think about me… that way… before…?" His voice sounded strange.
Revan wrinkled her brow, blushed deeply and glanced away. "I… well, I…" she stammered.
"Rev?" Atton insisted, leaning over and trying to catch her eye.
"All right, fine!" she exploded, suddenly turning to face him rapidly. "YES! I lusted after you from the moment I first saw you! I met you that day early on in the war and I just couldn't get you out of my mind after that. There. Is said it. Happy? Is that what you wanted to hear, Jaq?" She pursed her lips, held her head up and stared contemptuously at Atton. In the latter's face was a mixture of horror and bewilderment.
"Do you… You don't… I mean, you don't still…" he stuttered.
"Of course I don't!" she snapped, blushing furiously, her eyes barely wavering.
Atton seemed instantly relieved, shut his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. He then re-opened his eyes and narrowed them suspiciously. "Are you sure this whole thing isn't some big elaborate joke that you and Jena cooked up? Because if it is, it's not funny!"
Revan folded her arms and pursed her lips. "Jaq, do you honestly think for one second that I'd pretend you to be the father of my child, even as a joke?"
Atton grimaced and heaved a regretful sigh. "No, I suppose there wouldn't be much hope of that happening," he admitted darkly. He shook his head. "But… Daynn? Dammit, Rev, he's a pain in the ass!" he groaned. "He never listens to anything anyone says, except for Jena!"
A voice came from the corridor. "Like father, like son, I suppose."
Atton and Revan quickly turned to look at the door. "Daynn's asleep," said Carth, walking in. "I was looking all over for you. Didn't know you were hiding out here with…" He glanced at Atton's direction. "…him."
Atton's eyes dropped to the floor. "Hey, Carth," he grumbled uncomfortably.
Carth's eyes traveled from Atton to Revan. "I'm sorry," he said slowly. "Was I interrupting…?"
"Nothing to interrupt!" Revan answered promptly just as Atton hopped off his cargo cylinder. "How… how long have you been standing out there?"
Carth shrugged. "Just long enough to realize that Atton here has finally been informed of his… status." He heartily slapped Atton on the back and smiled at him, although the proud father could easily tell that Carth's eyes weren't smiling.
"Believe me, Carth, I'm as shocked about this as you are," Atton muttered, his eyes looking away toward the wall in an effort to avoid Carth's.
Well, this is unbelievably awkward…
"Are you?" Carth asked, the pitch of his voice slightly higher than normal. "I mean, you must remember something…" He cocked his eyebrows skeptically.
"No!" Atton cried vehemently, his eyes darting back to Carth. "I don't remember a thing! My mind is a complete blank! I swear!"
Carth looked unconvinced. "And it never clued in after you saw Daynn… and found out how old he was…?" Atton shook his head emphatically. Carth snorted. "For crying out loud, Atton, he looks just like you!" he exclaimed.
"He does?" wondered Atton. He vainly tried to recollect the child's face in his mind.
"Your eyes," Revan stated very quietly, staring at her boots. "And your smile."
Both men turned toward her, but her gaze stubbornly remained focused on her feet. Carth stared blankly at her. Atton glanced at her, then at Carth. After a few seconds of silence, he coughed uncomfortably.
"Right. Well, if we're all done here, I'd really like to get back to Jena… I left her in—"
He stopped abruptly and realized the circumstances under which he had left Jena behind, as well as how much time had elapsed since. He groaned and shook his head. Oh man, she's so cutting me off for the next fifteen years…
He took a few steps toward the door. "Rev, we'll… um… we can talk about this later," he said awkwardly, carefully avoiding Carth's gaze. "Right now I need to mostly focus on not getting killed by an irate woman Jedi."
He hung his head miserably. "I don't suppose either of you knows the address of a good flower shop on Myrkr," he grumbled, mostly to himself, as he walked out.