Ashara allowed Angel to sit on the bridge as she piloted the ship to the Smuggler's Moon. Her flying skills were impressive as she handled the ship, if not a bit wild. Angel noticed she flew with exuberance and when she'd asked Ashara who'd taught her, the Togruta winked before replying, 'Your Father'.
After the initial shock of knowing she was on an Imperial ship Angel started to relax and look forward to what lay ahead, her curiosity starting to creep over her.
'Always the strong ones.' Master Tho used to say as he'd shake his shaggy head, referring to the fact that his strongest pupil was a constant challenge to him; as curious as one of his kit nephews and as stubborn as a bull nerf.
The large Cathar had warned her that of all his padawans she'd been the one with the most conflict, and he'd been especially firm in her teaching. But he'd also had a wondrous sense of humor, encouraging her to laugh often during their lessons and telling her he adored her infectious giggle. For him, being one with the Force had been a source of joy, not a burden as she'd seen other Force adepts view it.
'Find your joy, Padawan', he'd told her, 'Whatever the source, trust in the Force to guide you to it.'
The other Masters didn't always accept his teachings, but he was still a favorite in the Temple. His recent passing saddened her, despite her lessons about not forming attachments and that at the end there was only the Force. It'd seemed like one of the people who'd brought her the most happiness in the world was gone, and now she was left chasing shadows.
Finding my joy, Angel thought, is that what I'm doing, or just trying to satisfy my curiosity? It'd taken many discipline lessons for her to overcome that trait. But as long as she didn't use the Force to do so, the other Masters didn't condemn her too much. In fact, she had a feeling Master Tho would approve of her current venture, Imperial affiliations aside.
"We've arrived." Ashara's voice jolted her from her contemplation, and Angel saw the glittering lights of Nar Shadda as the ship began its rapid descent.
"Oh, here." Ashara handed Angel a light package. "I know you have stealth abilities, but I don't want you to have to maintain it for the time it'll take to go to your parents' home. Think of this way to help you blend in with the crowd, they're less noticeable than your Jedi robes."
Angel opened the box and pulled out hooded shadowsilk tunic of dark grey, along with a pair of soft black leather leggings. The tunic was short, cropped at mid-thigh, but would hide her lightsaber. Ashara clapped her hands in glee as Angel held the garments to her form.
"Perfect! I wasn't sure what size you'd need, but I guessed based on your mother," she stated. "Now go change and we'll be off."
Ashara's enthusiasm was contagious and Angel went to the Captain's quarters to don the garments. But as she changed she felt an icy finger up her spine. The Dark Side, she thought with a shiver, someone who uses it has been here. She looked around for more clues but there was just a faint echo of darkness, like music that had trailed off. She finished changing, and met Ashara on the ship's ramp.
"You look ready to hit the Promenade in style," Ashara asserted as Drelik brought a speeder to them.
He grasped Ashara's hand softly and smiled warmly, saying, "I know you'll fill me in." Then walking briskly to Angel, he took her hand and shook it.
"It was a pleasure finally meeting you, Master Engels'kys. I know the Jedi serve the Republic so technically we're on opposing sides, but I'm glad you aren't letting our associations bias your opinion." Angel probed discretely with her abilities, unable to sense anything but earnest honesty coming from the small man.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Captain Drelik," she replied before he gave her another nod and walked off briskly.
"Are you ready?" Ashara called over to her, and Angel practically ran to the speeder. Curiosity prikled at her like pins and needles. So far she'd learned that she had her father's looks, that her parents had been together on a ship, and that the people involved with them held them in high regard. It was more information than she'd had a day ago, but it didn't feel like enough.
"I believe I am," she answered, watching as Ashara smiled.
"I believe you are too," she said as Angel climbed on the speeder and they took off.
They sped through the thoroughfares of the gambler's paradise, dodging merchant's tents and patrons. It wasn't long before they reached a transport launch pad and Ashara docked the speeder for them to hop on the automated transport. As they flew over the city, Angel was taken aback by the cacophony of lights. Huge holosigns for clubs and casinos lit up entire building walls. Excitement wafted from the planet under them like steam, threatening to overtake her, and she had to focus to stay calm.
She was intrigued as they flew to a levitating building that looked like it housed living quarters for several. The transport landed at the small dock of one of the quarters and Ashara jumped out.
"This is their home, at least on this planet," she said, "Last chance to back out, it's up to you." Angel took a deep breath as she got out the transport and steadied herself.
"Ashara, please take me to my parents," she said as bravely as she could. Ashara grinned as she led Angel to the home's large doorway.
As they opened the door they heard a shout. "Chaos! Damnation, that Nekarr has gotten out again!"
Loud footsteps carried through the hallway, and Angel saw the owner to the boisterous voice. A tall dusky skinned man swept down the hall, looking ferocious in his ire. "I swear if they didn't love you so much I'd have had a Nekarr skin rug long ago," he grumbled loudly, not noticing her and Ashara at the door.
There was a clicking of claws on the polished stone floor, and a large white tuskcat came tearing around the corner. It ran straight at Ashara, practically bowling her over as it leaped on her.
Angel started giggling at the interaction and saw the man freeze before turning slowly, gazing at her looking completely stricken. She saw him take several swallows as he walked closer. Looking at his face Angel started feeling stunned herself.
He had her rich toned skin and bolder versions of her features. His eyes were dark unlike her silver, but still piercing, and a tattoo scrolled around one, trailing along the side of his head. He stopped a few feet from her, as if unwilling to impose his presence on her.
"Angel? Baby, is that you?" His voice was hoarse and choked, and Angel knew instantly who this was.
"Father?" she said tentatively, watching as he raked his hand over his scalp and looked chagrined.
"Yeah, I guess I am." He gave her an embarrassed smile. "Um, I've never done this before, so I'm not sure what happens next." Angel felt herself fly at him, wrapping her arms around him and feeling him squeeze her back.
"Oh sweet galaxy Angel, you're back!" He squeezed like he would never let go. "My baby girl is back." All she could feel was the unadulterated love pouring from him as he rocked with her in his arms.
"I'll get this rascal put up," Ashara stated, but her words were choked like she was fighting her own emotions and Angel barely noticed her boot steps as she exited. When it seemed like she couldn't breathe for as tightly as he held her, he finally let go and took a step back.
"Well, let me look at you girl." Angel couldn't believe how shy she felt as the tall broad shouldered man looked her over. He lifted her hands in his as if comparing them, then released them to trace a scar on her cheek.
"Jedi not watching out for their own?" he muttered angrily, and she shook her head.
"It's fine, just a souvenir from my last mission on Taris."
His anger evaporated as quickly as it came and he gave her a smile. That smile, she thought with pride, bet it'd won a lot of hearts.
"A 'souvenir', huh? Nice to see my girl has a sense of humor." He looked more intently at her face. "Silver," he said absentmindedly as he traced around her eyes, "I'd almost forgotten. But that hair, longer than hers but no mistaking it. And you're so beautiful." He shook his head.
"Figures. Must be payback for all the fathers who were worried when I sniffed around their daughters. I think I have new respect for them."
Angel giggled again, and watched her father's face split into a wide grin. "Yup, can't mistake that either, your mother's laugh."
At his comment she started looking around. "Uh, is she here too?" she asked softly, and her father grew serious.
"Yes Angel, but you need to know something."
Just as his words left his mouth, she felt a cold presence at the edge of the room. That same resonance she'd felt on the ship, she thought, the echo of the Dark Side. As she looked over her father's shoulders she saw a pale woman moving cautiously towards them. Her slim figure and her silver hair were a copy of Angel's. Her skin, however, had the bleach of corruption and her eyes blazed as red as the tattoos around them. Her father followed her gaze and tensed.
"We weren't sure how you'd react, Baby. Your mother is…"
"A Sith," Angel interrupted flatly, drawing back from her father. "My mother is a Sith."