New chapter up. Some quality interaction between Marr and Vala. Enjoy.

For the first month, Vala was kept under lock and key in the cell she'd been stored in during her first bout of captivity. This time, however, she was taken out of the cell daily and always by Darth Marr himself. Also, she was never taken to the interrogation room. Each time she was collected, Marr would have her shadow him during his daily activities. She never ate meals with him and never saw him without this full face mask, but she could tell he was doing his best to make her comfortable.

Marr and Vala walked calmly through Dromund Kaas most evenings. He would explain how things worked in the Empire and with the Sith. Vala would listen carefully and ask questions. At first she was too timid to ask anything, but after a few days, she decided if she was going to make this new place home, she needed to know things. The only way to learn what she wanted to know was to ask.

On this particular day, as Marr was escorting Vala back to her cell, it was the Sith who asked the questions.

"I'm sure you're wondering why you're still being kept in a prison cell." Marr said as they entered the detention center after their evening stroll.

"Not at all." Vala replied, entering the cell casually, knowing Marr wouldn't lock the cell until he was ready to leave. "Even though I came here willingly, you have no reason to trust me. You can't know if I have some ulterior motives for my return. You're being cautious. To be honest, besides being locked up at night, this all feels very much like when I returned to Tython after you let me go the first time. They didn't lock me up, but they had eyes on me at all times." She shrugged, taking a seat on her cot. "I guess that's one reason why I'm here. If I'm going to be treated as a prisoner, I might as well do so in a place where I might actually get to earn my freedom."

"And you're now getting a chance to see what true freedom is. It's not about being locked up. It's about being able to live your life the way you'd like." Marr replied. "I know some of the things you've seen since being allowed to wander the planet with me have disturbed you. You've seen how the Empire works and you've learned total freedom is only for the strong."

Marr walked into the cell, standing before her. He reached his hand out and Vala took it, allowing him to pull her to a stand. "And you are strong, little one. Very strong. Your freedom will begin soon enough. To begin, tomorrow, you and I will travel to Korriban, where you will begin your training as a Sith acolyte."

"You're coming with me?" Vala asked. She'd assumed the Sith would just throw her to the nexu, so to speak. Kind of a sink or swim situation. A test.

"I am. You are never going to be just some random Sith acolyte. You are fully trained in the Force and are far more powerful than other students. Most likely more powerful than many of the overseers. Many will be targeting you, hoping to take your place by my side or allow for more favored students to excel. Being the apprentice to a member of the Dark Council is a place all young Sith dream of having and an overseer's ego is boosted if one of their prized students wins the place."

"I understand." Vala said with a nod.

"My presence on the planet during your training will offer a small bit of protection, but for the most part, you will be on your own. The fact you were once a Jedi will not be secret for long. You must learn to do what is necessary to survive. You must overcome this challenge with your life, if you are to truly know freedom."

"I'm ready for it." Vala said, with only a slight tremor in her voice. A small part of her was regretting leaving Tython, but the larger portion was eager to see what she could do. It would be an odd experience to not hold back on anything anymore. The idea helped push the small bit of hesitation away and replace it with excitement.

Marr nodded and Vala swore she heard a slight chuckle from the Sith. "I know you are. I can feel your excitement. The concession I have made for your training on Korriban is that you will not live with the general population. You will be staying in my chambers while you are trained. While I can't protect you during your waking hours, nor would I truly wish to, I will ensure your safety during the night. Even the most powerful are vulnerable while they sleep."

"Will this mean I get to see what's under your mask?" Vala asked.

Marr laughed at her question, pleased she felt comfortable enough to ask. "You will not, but maybe someday, my little one."

Vala felt a shiver run down her spine in the way he called her his little one. The Sith had taken to calling her this when they were alone. He'd changed the term of endearment, if that was indeed what it was, from 'little Jedi' since her return. The way he said it seemed to imply she was more to him than just his apprentice. This thought both terrified her and filled her with an exhilaration she'd never felt before.

She was eager to feel more.

To Be Continued...