Crystalline Entity - Alternate Record

by Cpt. Lynx

This is the story of how Darth Imperius, the Emperor of the Eternal Alliance, found himself on Terra. Burdened by the ghosts of his past, will he be able to fulfil his purpose and find happiness, or will the darkness consume him? As a fair warning, this contains dark and mature themes in much greater detail than the other version, so discretion is advised.

5. Day 4-2: Illumia and the Summer Solstice

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you all have an enjoyable day with those you care about. And for today, I bring you the second part of this chapter. I hope you'll enjoy it as well. As always, feedback is highly welcome. With that said, I'll let you to it.

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It is not long before the city we are looking for begins to come into proper sight. Agriculture begins to become denser, more structured, and traffic along the main road begins to appear.
Curiously, I begin to look at the fields. They grow primarily several kinds of grains and root vegetables, along with supporting several types of farm animals. In the distance, a walled city rises from the surrounding landscape.
I have the idle thought of checking the nutrient composition of the soil, but interest in the grand walls and looming architecture wins out.
While the style of the small towns was somewhat recognizable in its simple, blocky designs, the architecture of the city is less familiar - though I have seen many of its elements before. The walls are made of stone enrobed in a sheer metallic coat, glittering silver in the growing evening light, and many enchantments swim and soar throughout the walls, singing in its resilience and defence.
Behind these walls loom the tallest buildings - mighty stone and steel castles and five and six-sided pyramidal structures, their sides low and smooth. The castles and towers appear mostly residential, with one housing what looks like a seat of power, while the pyramids seem more like defensive structures to my eyes. Within their thick masses of alchemic stone and metal lie massive crystals ready to be channelled by dozens of mages.
I look on impressed as I gaze into the distance, scanning out the city.
And yet, beneath the watchful eyes of these sentinels, there is not the Sith surveillance state one might expect from the presence of such weapons in a population center. Behind the walls, smaller buildings rise, and organized streets rise and fall throughout the levels of the great hive of the city, extended into the earth by earth magic and given life by plentiful crystals.
Within the walls, almost half a million humans draw breath, and despite how vertical and populous the city is, none are cramped, none suffocate in lower levels without aid.
My eyes widen as I see that.
Smoke rises from furnaces at the bottom of the city, funnelled cleanly out the top through the use of massive smokestacks. This place is clearly the center of industry, knowledge, and government one would expect from a blossoming nation.

"..."
I gaze on, slightly open-mouthed with a clearly impressed expression.

Leanna looks at my expression of wonder with a smile.
"Does your galaxy not really have cities like this?"

"They do. But you care much more about the people inside. As I said, there are planets that are one giant city. And the people on the lower levels... are usually not that well off. But here? It is taken care that the pollution is spilt out over the city, and the people have enough space, are not cramped and aren't getting suffocated. And those defences are quite impressive, too."

"Why would we not? Even the most pragmatic and cruel societies must recognize that poor conditions kill, and the dead cannot work."

"Well..."
I glance away.
"You are technically correct."

"Technically as in I'm not going to like what you say next, right?"

I shake my head.
"However... on city planets, the lower levels are... pretty chaotic. When you have hundreds to thousands of levels to manage, it tends to get... rather unclear. More often than not, the lower levels sink into chaos so much, that law enforcement becomes pretty much impossible."

I shrug.
"If there is even a law to be enforced in the first place. People like the Hutts, who control the infamous city moon Nar Shaddaa don't really care at all what happens with the people, as long as they can get profit out of it. Although, calling those disgusting slugs 'people' is too nice for them."

"Huh..."
She sighs, then frowns.
"That doesn't really seem right... there is always a cause of unrest."

"Yes. On Coruscant, as far as I've heard, there are large problems with unrest on the lower levels. So what do they do? Shut them off and focus on the higher levels, where all the 'important' people live. They know they can't really go against all the crime syndicates operating there, so they do damage control as best as they can. As for the Hutts... well... anyone trying to actively go against them... they don't get a pretty ending. I did mention that the Hutt Cartel is about equivalent to the Empire and the Republic in terms of fighting power, yes?"

"What? Why?"

I tilt my head.
"Why what?"

"I think you did, but it still sounds so stupid."

"Well... It has reasons they are in such a position of power. None of which are good, mind you, but they are understandable when you have a grasp on galactic history. And I have read about it as much as I could."

She frowns.
"Well... the deep neglect of one's people is known as one of the greatest follies a kingdom can commit to, at least in Esaria and the Southern Dominions."

I glance down.
"In my galaxy... that sadly has been the standard."

She looks at me imploringly.
"What do you plan on doing about it?"

"Obviously, I am going to change that. I've already passed some laws for the Alliance that has every sentient citizen protected, that they are equal, no matter from where they may be."

She can only smile her gentle smile at me.

I melt at the sight and blush a bit, smiling back at her shyly.

"I dearly hope you can help them."

"I do, too. I mean, if I couldn't, then what was the point of it?"

"Perhaps."

I blink.
"Perhaps what?"

"Maybe there is a point even if you fail. There is grace in trying, even if you cannot succeed."

I shake my head.
"I am pretty much the only chance my galaxy has, I think. If I cannot make it a better place... I doubt someone after me will."

"How many years happen after now?"

"Potentially infinite. For my galaxy, if it goes the way it goes without me? Not too many anymore, I'm afraid."

"Why not?"

I arc a brow.
"Two extremist societies completely bent on destroying each other? They will not stop until one is vanquished, if it weren't for me and the Alliance keeping them in check. Without me... I'm sure they would try again to turn the galaxy into a furnace of war. And this time... I doubt it would be able to recover."

She sighs, then looks up at me, and there is a sparkle in her eyes.
"Then... I put my hope in you, Xerath."

I blink, then blush. I turn my gaze away and scratch my cheek.
"...alright..."

I take a deep breath.
"Alright. With your support and belief in me, there is no way I will fail."

She smiles brightly at me.
"You can do it. I promise."

"...Yeah."
I nod.
"I have to make you proud, after all. You and Kory."

"We already are."

I blink.
"Huh?"

In her smile, I can see that she is already proud of me. Whether Kory is... I don't know, but Leanna seems certain she would be.

I smile softly.
"I have to continue making you proud, then. I mean, I can't really stop now, can I?"

She places a hand on my shoulder.
"I hope you don't want to. Carrying on like that without energy... wouldn't be good for you."

I lean into her touch.
"I'm used to it by now. However, you do give me plenty of energy, so I think I'll be fine. I'm motivated, if nothing else."

She relaxes, but only slightly.
"Well, you know by now where to go if you need more motivation."

"I will receive it once you're ready."

She blushes somewhat at my implication, and I smile softly at her.

Soon, we enter the city and walk along the clean, crisp cobbled roads.
My eyes dart around, amazed at the architecture, at the cleanliness, at just about everything, really.
People of all types move throughout the streets, and the first key organizational feature of the city - its designers have fully embraced that it is vertical. While it was undoubtedly a castle town restrained by the landscape originally, now the city is networked by a vast yet sensible web of pathways intended to quickly direct the flow of people.
I look around.
"I... certainly did not expect that. Though in retrospect, I probably should have."

Connecting the upper and lower levels of the city are tubes - elevators powered by magic. Their presence and seeming frequency of use indicate that people travel between different layers often.

Leanna raises a delicate brow in curiosity and hums musically.
"Hmm?"

"You even have elevators? Colour me impressed. This city... is far more advanced than I anticipated. But given your focus on integrating magic into everyday life, I should have expected that."

Leanna nods.
"Illumia is definitely one of the best examples of a modern Esarian city, but the lessons learned here and in the other experimental Monolith Cities are being applied across the continent."

"'Monolith Cities'?"

"The idea was to think of the cities less as a large number of buildings and more as a single, modular structure. Each building supports every other."

I blink, then my eyes widen a bit.
"A wonderful architectural philosophy."

"Effectively, Illumia is a single, massive, open-air structure. A monolith."

"Fascinating... I admit I don't know that much about architecture, but I don't know if a design philosophy like this was used by us as well."

"Stone and transteel and enchantment, the city still isn't finished - odds are it won't be for millennia. Every new growth has needed new considerations - for example, magic usage. So many people, so many mages are clustered in Illumia that crystals began to grow in the lower levels, threatening stability."

I nod in understanding.
"Yeah. A project like this will require constant augmentation."

"So large amounts of adamantine was imported from the dwarves, surrounded with low-quality stone, and integrated into the supports. Now, the crystals grow only where we expect them to grow."

"I see."

"And so they are harvested, granting life to entire industrial sectors of the city."

"Rather convenient to have crystals growing locally."

"That it is."

"I imagine that can't be too many, though?"

"Not too many, but the local magic presence is still growing. We're likely to see more in the coming years."

I nod.
"That is likely, yes."

Zack comes up to us and nods down a less-used road. I see a man waiting on it.
"This is me."

Leanna smiles at him.
"Good luck. Thank you again for your help."

I nod at Zack.
"Farewell, Zack. May our paths cross again."

I smile.
"And good luck with your businesses."

He nods.
"Have a good one."
He walks down the road and the other man joins him.

I turn to Leanna.
"Do you think we'll see him again?"

She shrugs.
"Perhaps. Mercenaries have a way of turning up."

I smile in remembrance.
"You're right on that. I hope it will hold true this time as well."

We continue through the city. Another thing worth noting about it is the greenery - throughout the city, little patches of grass and carefully placed trees are dotted, and a fair amount of the top layer seems to consist of public parks.
My eyes sparkle in wonder.
"It's very beautiful here. You even got parks in the city..."

"People need greenery. It was quickly learned during the Great War that territories devastated by magic were depressing, even when no one had lived there. Turns out, without ready access to plant life, people become less active and more depressed. So care has been taken to place trees within reach of every corner of the city. It's one of the reasons the lower levels are so well-lit."

I tilt my head.
"You speak to someone who hasn't seen any greenery until he was an adult. However, I agree. Seeing plants does generally make people happier."

She nods as we pass a small bed of flowers.
"It does have the added benefit of just looking very nice."

"Indeed. As long as it remains intact..."
I look over to a park with a distant gaze.

In the park, children are playing - climbing trees, running about... doing what they do. The children are of all types - some have pale skin, some dark, a few mixed, and one or two have drastically different internal biologies.
But my eyes glaze over the park and the children, being replaced with memories of a different park. At my sides, my fists clench and my entire musculature tightens as I begin to tremble, barely visibly.

Leanna puts a hand on my shoulder.
I jump back a full meter and drop into a combat stance, gripping the hilt of my lightsaber. But just before I ignite it, I blink my eyes back into focus, then shake my head.

She looks at me with a sad smile.
"Xerath, it's alright. You're now, not then."

I put the lightsaber away again and sigh heavily.
"I'm sorry..."
I take a few deep breaths and then step back up to her.

"Don't apologize. You didn't do the thing that was wrong."

"Huh? What thing?"

"I don't fault you for reacting to your past, or with surprise for being pulled out of it. But... may I ask what you were looking at?"

"...A park. ... a park in the middle of a city... which was a warzone..."

"I see."
She sighs.
"Illumia has been besieged before. It was not as expansive or well-defended then. I'm sure it wasn't good..."

I shake my head.
"The battle for Corellia was one of the largest and bloodiest campaigns in the last war between the Republic and the Empire."

I close my eyes.
"The fight for the Axial Park was not good. Not at all..."

She puts an arm around my shoulders.
This time, I lean into her.
"...thank you..."

"No problem, Xerath. Just relax."
She begins to walk again, leading me onward.

I calm down again, letting myself be guided by Leanna. Eventually, I look back towards the park. Specifically, to the children with such drastically different anatomy.
Externally, they are mostly human. There is an ethereal quality to them - I can tell that their parents are of a species more aesthetically pleasing than many humans. The main feature that stands out about them are their pointed ears. They have strange hair colours too, but the more I observe the more I realize that strange hair colours are part of human genetics here too. Bright reds and greens and blues crop up less often than blondes and browns, but they happen often enough.
On the inside, however... their organ structure is what drew my attention. It is almost entirely different, with several organs that don't exist in humans being present. Come to think of it... Zack's structure looked slightly reminiscent of this...

I blink in surprise again, but this time for another reason.
"Huh..."

Their system seems to be incredibly efficient, able to get the most out of very little. Already I can see the networks of processing and reprocessing taking shape - this species is biologically immortal.
"How... peculiar..."

"What is it, Xerath?"

"Do you happen to know a biologically immortal race, of which there seem to be about two children in this entire city?"

"You saw some elves? Their parents should be around somewhere. They should be the children of the envoys from Velden."

"Yes. The children are in the park over there. So those are the elves you mentioned so far, huh? A fascinating race. Also, Zack seemed to have some... similarities with their biology..."

"Oh, was he a half-elf? I hadn't noticed."

I blink.
"'Half...elf'?"

"You know, a child of a human and an elf. They're rare, but not quite as rare as elves in Esaria. Elves tend not to stay, but their children sometimes return."

The very concept is foreign to me, and I think it might show in my expression.

"Do you not have things like that where you're from?"

I shake my head.
"Different species are biologically not compatible, as far as I know. Although... offspring between different races is rare, it does happen. However, that will be a full being of one parent species. I have not heard of - nor seen - a hybrid so far."

"Well, as far as I know, the only reason we haven't had dwarf-elf mixes is because they don't like each other."

"Huh. How peculiar."
I smile slightly.
"Your world truly lives by its own rules."

I draw a hand to my chin.
"Perhaps... ...yes, that could be it."

"What is it?"

"I said before that I found the presence of the Force itself to be rather reclusive, right? More focused on passively boosting life? I hypothesise that this is one effect of this passive boon - increased bio-compatibility."

"That could be the case."

"This world really is riddled with mysteries."

"Inter-species fertility is correlated to magehood, after all."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. While mostly irrelevant in other reproductive circumstances, skilled mages seem to be more likely to produce viable offspring with other species - though we don't really have enough data to know whether this is a statistical anomaly or not."

"Well, it would certainly align with my hypothesis."
I then smile, my gaze wandering through the city again.
"You know, I think I could spend a small eternity here on Terra and never grow bored, with so many things to uncover."

Come to think of it, Leanna is one of the most powerful potential Force users I've ever seen... and as a native Terran...
At that thought, I immediately grow silent and heat up with a face to boot.
Several of the human children here are somewhere between my dark skin and Leanna's pale... they wouldn't be even slightly out of place...
"Uuuhhh..."

Leanna's arm is still around me, and she gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"It's alright, Xerath."

Her touch makes it only worse for me, though, and I whimper embarrassed again. I shyly glance at her again. Given that we're not floating right now, I have to look downward. Not that I mind that.

She is smiling brightly as she looks ahead. Her eyes move to me for a moment as she notices, and the smile brightens slightly.

I glance away quickly as I am caught, only to return my eyes only a moment later, a bit more hesitatingly.

She has returned her eyes to the road, though it is obvious that she know's I'm looking and doesn't mind.

I gulp audibly. Then, I sigh, and focus back on the road as well, trying to dispel these thoughts. Noticing her presence seems unavoidable, but looking away I can.
Suddenly, I remember something.
"L-Leanna...?"

"Yes?"

"Are you... uhm... comfortable... having your arm around me like this... in public?"

"You looked like you needed it. Besides, not many people really seem to notice or care."

"I see... I'm just... I just wanted to make sure, since you said public displays of affection were frowned upon or something..."

"Is this considered a public display of affection where you're from? Sometimes this is just something people need to do. I do have to let go eventually, but for now, it's fine."

I scratch my cheek.
"This isn't, but hugging me a bit more like you did in Raven pass was? Your customs are confusing..."

"Foreign customs can be, yes."

I smile.
"Well, as long as you are comfortable, that's good."

I close my eyes and smile softly.
"I'm really blessed."

"You are, are you?"

"I am now, yes. I am blessed to have met you."

She beams at me.

I open my eyes again and notice her incredibly bright smile, and immediately blush again.
"You know, Leanna... your smile is so blindingly beautiful, you could weaponize it... It would be more potent than any flashbang..."

She blinks.
"What an odd thing to say."

I scratch my cheek.
"I-I'm sorry..."

"Odd isn't bad, Xerath. At least, it isn't for me."

"I just... wanted to give you a new compliment. One you haven't heard yet, neither by me nor someone else. I... I don't want to bore you by repeating myself..."

She tilts her head cutely and curiously.
"You don't. I thought it was odd. I think you are odd. Why do you think I smile at you?"

"Because... you smile at everyone?"

She nods.
"I do. But I have smiled at you many times, and all my smiles have a purpose."

I blink.
"They do?"

"Some of mine are because you are odd, and interesting, and strangely wonderful. Others because you need cheering up. Others are to acknowledge that you made me happy."

I blink again.
"For someone who is extensively trained to read people like open books, I am on an impressive streak of failures of doing that regarding you."

"Most of them are because I want to smile at you, Xerath. You deserve to be rewarded for your efforts, as do many other people. But right now I am with you, and focused on you. And you give me many reasons to smile."

I smile slightly.
"That is reassuring to hear."

I close my eyes, and my smile grows.
"I am glad. That I'm able to make you happy."

She smiles at me again.

I open my eyes again, and they shine with focus.
"Alright. We should arrive at your academy soon, right?"

She nods and gestures forward.
"Yes. Look ahead."

Before us rises one of the castle-like structures present in this city. High, white towers sparkle in the evening light as large windows of stained glass shine in their many colours as a result of sunlight and magic.

"Ooh. Definitely looks prestigious."

While much smaller than locations like the various Sith or Jedi Temples, it bears all the external hallmarks of a place of learning.

I turn back to look at her.
"Actually, that makes me curious. How was it to learn here? What was the process of your training?"

She smiles.
"Getting to learn at the Academy was the start of the best time of my life. It was the first time the world really opened up to me. The Academy taught me all I know about magic that I hadn't figured out myself."

"Sounds nice. How is the curriculum organised? Are you just taught whatever, or...?"

"Lessons on magic are organized by specialization. We are expected to learn the core of what it is to wield our element, and assemble a skillset around it by involving ourselves in other activities and lessons."

I arc a brow.
"Soo, you basically chose an element, learn the basics of how to use that, and then can go down whatever path you want to?"

"More or less. Most of the skills offered at the Academy are independently useful. I am a Knight, so I specialize in magical combat, practical Wind magic, and enchanting."

"I see... That sounds... peaceful."

"It is."

I smile slightly, though I get a slightly distant expression again.

"Is something wrong?"

I blink and focus back on her.
"Oh, sorry. Just thought about... my own education."

"Oh..."

I glance down at her with concern.
"'Is something wrong?'"

"Your education wasn't that enjoyable..."

I shake my head.
"Not in the Sith Academy, it wasn't. At least, not until I met Zash, my master."

"I'm sorry..."

I blink once more.
"Why?"

"Why wouldn't I be? You've been hurt."
A thumb rubs my shoulder slightly, unnoticeable to any passers-by.

"Yes, I have been hurt. But why- Oh, right, empathy."
I smile slightly.
"Well, at the very least, I can say that the Sith Academy prepared me for what was to come."

She frowns sadly.

I blink and my smile droops.
"Hey..."

'Wish... hug... now...'

I nod at her and deploy an illusion around us once more. Then, I nod again.

She leaps up and wraps me in a hug.

"Whoa..."
I did not expect her to leap up like that, so I stagger back a step as I wrap my arms around her as well to stabilise her.

She is once again intent on comforting me, but also seems to be doing it for herself. She, after all, is the person who started being sad.
I gently hold her in my arms, not wavering in my strength, and softly run a hand over her back.

"You deserved so much better..."

"Perhaps. But I have found 'better' now."

She smiles, shining like the glorious goddess she so clearly is to me.

I smile at her with such a loving smile I'm sure she has rarely seen before.
"I have found 'best' now."

She tips her head forward, and our foreheads lightly collide. She smiles into my eyes.
"I hope... I hope I can truly make you happy enough to extinguish the pain."

I can only blush at the contact.
"I am happy for the sentiment... and not to sound pessimistic, but I don't think that will be possible."

"You have an eternity to grow, Xerath. Perhaps you could embrace that, with time..."

"No, I mean, I will always remember the pain. So, to completely extinguish it will be impossible. However, it would be possible to turn it into dull aches, with time..."

"Then that is what I shall try to do."

I smile warmly at her.
"I would love that."

I then chuckle softly as I remember something.

Leanna looks at me curiously and surprised.
"What is it?"

"I was right all along."

"Oh?"

I smile widely.
"Do you know what my first thought was when you introduced yourself as Leanna Dawn?"

"What was it?"

"How fitting your name was. Dawn."

She seems confused, not quite understanding what I'm getting at.
"How so?"

I gaze into her eyes, all my love for her visibly shining through.
"Because meeting you has been the dawn in my life. You are the light that illuminates the darkness that has been my life so far."

She leans ever so slightly further into me as I say that.
She is so close... so incredibly close... and yet still so far away. This truly is the most vicious form of torture I have experienced so far.
And yet... it is so delicious. For it would not be nearly as effective were it not for the promise that situations like this might not be so torturous in the future.
Indeed. The hope for this is... almost intoxicating.
I am obviously struggling to keep myself in check.
"Leanna?"

She blinks at me, her eyelashes fluttering enchantingly.
"Yes?"

My face flushes.
"If you... If you don't want me to kiss you right now, you should probably move back now. It's... becoming rather difficult to hold myself back."

"Oh!"
She leans back somewhat.
"I'm sorry!"

I exhale, both relieved and disappointed.

"I wish I could give you that, Xerath. I know that it would make you feel so much better..."

I shake my head.
"It's alright. If you don't love me, you don't love me."

"Even so..."

"And if you don't want to kiss me, then that's that."

"I can still be sorry for not being able to do something properly."

"I don't want you to feel bad about it. I am not entitled to your emotions."

"You're not. But this is something I do want to give you... I just can't do it on command..."

I gently brush a hand through her hair, effortlessly holding her up with one arm.
"Of course. I understand that, don't worry."

Eventually, she returns to the ground, still smiling at me.

"Don't force yourself to anything, Leanna. Just knowing that you are even willing to consider me in a romantic light makes me quite happy. And if you find your feelings for me shift, know that my feelings for you will remain the same. Although, maybe not quite the same."

"Hmm?"

I smile lovingly at her.
"I suspect they will only grow stronger with time."

She can only smile in response.
And I can only stare at her again, quickly getting lost in those glorious pools of care and kindness she calls eyes. Even her gaze seems to have the quality of a loving caress as they stare back at me, the barest expressions of the light buried within her.
I am completely enraptured by her. I could spend eternity just gazing into her eyes, and not grow bored of it, I am sure. I don't think I will be able to tear my gaze away without some outside stimulus, even if I wanted to. Which I don't, of course.

Eventually, the stimulus comes in the form of Leanna.
"We do need to get going."

I blink.
"Oh... right."

I glance up.
"It does get quite late, doesn't it?"

"We still have plenty of time, but we should do this sooner rather than later."
She smirks.
"After we're done for today, I promise you can stare at me as much as you want."

"Alright, then. Let's see if your teachers can shed some light on this situation."
I blush and scratch my cheek.
"And, uhm... I'm sorry, I didn't-"

Then, my eyes widen.
"No, w-wait a moment! Do you mean that... uhm... you... uhm... want to..."

By now, I shyly fidget with my hands.
"...share a b-bedroom... with me again...?"

"Well, logistically it makes sense now that I trust you, and you did want to trust me with something, right? Your... scars?"

I take a breath to calm my racing heart down.
"Well... yeah. I do want to do that. ...at least showing you my arms should be fine."

She smiles.
"Only as much as you're comfortable."

I nod.
"My arms should be fine. I don't think I would be comfortable to strip for you, yet."

She blushes lightly.
"Yeah..."

"Soo... uhm... Mage Academy, right?"

"Yeah."

I close my eyes and take another deep breath, and refocus.
"Thank you, Leanna. I'm good to go now."

She smiles brightly and reassuringly.
"You're always welcome."

I smile warmly.
"Thank you. That is greatly appreciated. You are greatly appreciated."

She gestures forward, and we continue walking towards the Academy. I drop the illusion as well, falling into step with her.
Soon, we are at the gates. There is no guard, and Leanna opens the gates for us.
I nod at her in thanks, but look surprised at the gate.
We enter into an expansive quad. Mages in red, white, green, and blue roam about in groups, talking to each other, and those in black move alone or occasionally in groups of their own.

"So, is there any reason there are no guards at the gate, Leanna?"

"There's no reason to. The gatehouse is a holdover from when the academy stood alone. Now with the city about them and academy populated, there isn't any real reason to hold people up at the gates."

"Huh... Well, you have your reasons. I'm sure that is a tactically sound decision for your world. Aside from that now, I see the mages here continue to wear colour coded robes. I have the feeling I can guess what's what."
I smile.

She smirks challengingly.
"Oh, you can, can you?"

I nod.
"Well, white is for wind, blue is for water, red, the colour of passion for fire, and green, the colour of nature, for earth, and the occasional black one for shadow mages."

"Almost right, but sanctioned Shadow mages don't walk about so frequently. Those are professors."

"Ahh. That explains it, then. I wondered why there were so many. But, uhm, what are 'professors'?"

"They who teach. They're mostly research mages who - in addition to their duties - teach classes of student mages, or retired knights who do the same."

"I see... so they're basically Inquisitors and Overseers."

She blinks.
"Heh?"

"That's how the... uhm, teaching staff of the Sith Academy are called."

"Huh... those words don't sound very happy. Especially not Inquisitor. That word has a bit of a history with the Empire."

"Well, they aren't, I suppose. It's Korriban we're talking about. But, like those professors, the Inquisitors were... I suppose you could call them researchers as well? Depending on their tasks within the Academy, they would research how to best break an individual, for example."
I shiver.

Her soul seems to curdle slightly at the notion.

"But, well, there were a few ones among them that weren't complete sadists."
I smile slightly.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. There was Overseer Tremel, for example. A good man, he was the one who brought my friend A'den to the Academy. The Mandalorian warrior I mentioned before, who later defeated an entire enemy army on his own. And Tremel... he was prideful, yes, and a bit of a snob regarding Sith purity, but he was also always respectful to the Acolytes. I only met him a few times in the halls, but I felt... good around him."

She smiles, but only slightly.

"And then there was Inquisitor Ragate. An old woman - probably the oldest who was in service on Korriban, and she kept the old traditions alive. She would always teach interested Acolytes all sorts of stories from the past, as well as overseeing a special ritual Acolytes can accomplish within the Academy's halls."

"What sorts of rituals?"

"It was called the 'blood legacy', and it was a rather challenging one. But the benefits were great. It also was morbid as kriff."

"Oh..."
She still seems like she might be interested, but less so now.

"Do you... want me to tell you about it?"

"Sure. If she was one of the better overseers, I would."

"Alright. So, the task was rather simple. Grab a skull from an altar of bones and then head over to a pool of blood to soak it in it. That was made difficult by a wing of Shyracks sitting around there, as well as this 'bloodfiend' that surprised us back then."

"'Shyraks'?"

"Ah, right. They're a certain kind of avian predators. A winged animal with very sharp talons."

She frowns a bit.
"Okay, sounds less than fun. And 'bloodfiend'?"

"Well, I'm not quite sure, honestly. It did look like a K'lor slug, though. A rather large one."

"And what is that?"

"Worm-like predators with many legs, and plenty of sharp teeth and talons. Most could also spit acid over large distances."

She shivers slightly.
"Also not fun."

"Not at all. If it weren't for the fact that I was with A'den for that ritual... I might have found my end there, like so many other Acolytes before."

"Why exactly was she a nice professor again?"

"This trial was not required of me to take, and she did warn me. And as I said, the rewards were great - she read our future out of the skull. Even if I didn't know what she talked about at the time, she was right."

"Wait... read the future?"

"Also, she doesn't torture people for fun, so that's nice. And yep. She read the future."

"Alright. What did she predict, and what happened?"

"She told me 'When your final trial comes, beware the shadow killer. It can be bound, but never controlled'. I had no idea what she talked about, but later on, during my final trial, I met Khem Val, an ancient Dashade. Dashades are also called shadow hunters or shadow killers, and he did try to kill me as I met him."

"I see. Why did you meet such a thing?"

"A rather long story, but I'll try to keep it brief. My task was to retrieve an ancient map from an ancient Sith lord locked in a tomb. A text I retrieved from a different Sith's tomb during an earlier trial gave instructions on how to get there. I had to collect some staffs scattered throughout the tomb, go to a specific location, and put those staffs into specific altars, then meditate. After... a painful meditation, I managed to break down the seal of the Dashade's vault, and went over to him. It was stated in the texts that I would need the Dashade to get to the map, so I approached him. Turned out he was the servant of a long-dead Sith lord called Tulak Hord, and after I told him, he was somehow angry enough to free himself."
I scratch my cheek.
"I have no idea how I managed to beat him, but I did - barely. He acknowledged his defeat and due to his twisted sense of honour, agreed to travel with me."

"I see... so the goal of the tests you were on was to get to that creature, yes?"

"The first part, yes. The second part was to get the map, which that creature was required to get to. From then on out, it became a lot easier. Khem was a fantastic meat shield. Even the giant Terentatek guarding the map was defeatable with Khem soaking all the hits."

"Good. What kind of person was Khem?"

"...A twisted, sadistic and vile being."

"How so?"
She is not about to judge yet.

"He accepted his defeat, was bound to me by a code of 'honour', until he would break free again by killing me. Which he actually tried a few times. Then, as a Dashade, he has the ability to eat Force users - literally. He feasts upon the death of others - and he enjoys it. He loves the pain and carnage he brings. And outside of that, he has a very twisted view of things. Nox likes him."

"Well... his species seems quite unfortunate."

I blink, not having expected that answer.
"What?"

"You can appreciate the deaths of others from learned experience - but to gain strength from eating them is biological, and it is a biological pressure towards enjoying death. His sadistic attitude was not his fault."

I shake my head.
"Not quite. It's not exactly a... biological process. He does eat people rather literally... but not in the common sense of the word."

"...that doesn't sound encouraging."

"But yes, they don't have the best existence, these Dashades. But they fit right in with the Sith, especially the old ones, for all their sadism and seeking of violence."
I smirk.
"And Khem did not appreciate that I basically became his new master of all people, even if I told him that I had no interest to be called like that. His loyalty lies with Tulak Hord, and I can respect that."

"Well, what happened?"

"Well, turned out that I was a descendant of Kallig. The ancient Lord Kallig was a close friend and adviser to Tulak Hord. But Tulak Hord feared Kalligs power, so he had him killed in an ambush and buried on Dromund Kaas."

"Oh dear."
She facepalms.

"So, Khem was now bound to the perceived rival of his master."
I smile at the memory.
"Aloysius seemed to like that twist of events."

"'Aloysius'?"

"Aloysius Kallig, the old Lord."

"Your backstory has a lot of characters."

I smile.
"It has. I've met a lot of people."

She nods.

"But maybe you'll be able to meet Aloysius someday soon. I wonder if he can get here?"

"Wait, you said he's dead. Does that mean he's a... ghost?"

I nod.
"Yep."

She takes a breath.
"I-I'd love to meet him."

My face twists in worry.
"Your paling skin tells a different story."

She stutters.
"I w-will put aside any irrational fears I might or might not have to meet one of your friends."

"He is less a friend and more like the only family I have. However, you are clearly unwell."
I lean over to her.
"Normally, people are not too fond of ghosts, either, but you are positively scared. Deathly afraid, even"

I put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Leanna. Just take a deep breath, calm down a bit. I won't call upon him for now. And if you want to, if you are ready, you can tell me about what scared you like this."

She nods and smiles at me.
"Thank you. Still... it would be an honour to meet him one day. I don't... I don't want to stay afraid."

I nod and smile warmly.
"Then just like you help decimate my fears one by one, allow me to help you as well. Maybe talking about it will help you, too? And when you feel better about this subject, I'm sure he'd love to meet you as well."

She smiles brightly.

I smile brighter as well.
"Glad to see you're feeling better again."

Even though it has a shudder. Even that, though, she eventually moves past.

I blink and tilt my head.
"Although..."

I softly shake my head.
"No, I won't prod. You'll tell me when you want to."

I quickly fall in step with her again.
"So, what's our plan of operation here now?"

"Well, I'm here to present you as a data point on the current study of the unknown magical events which have been occurring recently."

"And, I suppose, report the run-in with a VOID mage?"

She nods.
"That too."

"Alright then. Lead the way, I will follow."
I say that with such conviction, I wonder if she gets the deeper meaning to it.

She blinks, but then shrugs.
We walk past someone practising magic. An Earth mage, sculpting a spell from a book. I see the magic build in the air, take form in his grasp, before being released. Dirt hardens to stone and shoots up as spikes to impale an imaginary foe.

I observe with great interest. My expression turns into a scheming smirk.
"My, my, how interesting..."

Leanna turns and raises a delicate eyebrow.
"What is?"

"This earth magic."

"How so?"

"I can see a lot of useful applications for that. After getting rid of that awfully long cast time, of course."

"Earth magic is very useful in construction and such. And the long casting time is partially because he's just a student."

"I mean, how long did he have to cast there? Half a minute? A minute?"

"You'll notice he's reading a guide from a book."

"True. Oh, right. Your magic is neatly organised, so you could use formulas and such, I presume."

"Yes. It's partly memorization, partly getting a feel for the equations."

I smirk.
"Two parts I happen to excel in. I can't wait to learn it for myself."

"One of the prerequisites for being a fully-fledged mage like myself is being able to consistently translate between your own experience of magic and the hard numbers that lie beneath its surface."
She smiles.
"I would appreciate seeing you learn magic. It would be fun."

I smile warmly.
"I would appreciate you teaching me."

"If you'd like to learn Wind magic, that's an option."

I nod, then tilt my head.
"Actually, are all mages only using one element? And if so, why is that? Are they so distinctively different that you can't learn another?"

"No, it's just that each has to be learned individually. There are ranks of mages who know two - a few even know three."

"Oh?"

"Those who know two are called Mage-Casters. They're typically those who have dedicated many, many years to learning the elements."

"'Typically' indicates some outliers?"

"A few."

"How so?"

"There are a handful of more... prodigal individuals, who take quite well to the mastering of many elements."

I tilt my head.
"So, I suppose it is unheard of that someone would go on and, say, learn all five elements?"

"Not... unheard of. There are myths and legends about individuals who were supposedly able to do that. But those stories typically involved the Elementals, so their truth... is in doubt."

I blink.
"'Elementals'?"

"Deities of an ancient pre-Imperial religion. They are said to be the beings that taught humanity magic - if you believe the stories."

"Well, based on my experiences, every story holds some truth to it. Especially those about the distant past. So, my question is, do you believe in the stories?"

She shakes her head, her lovely hair swaying with the motion.
"I don't. The Elementals have not given any suitable archaeological evidence for their existence, at least that we've found, and if they do exist they haven't appeared in thousands of years. Even if they are real, they are not currently relevant, and shouldn't be taught as potential fact until we find some proper trace of their existence."

"I see."
My gaze sweeps across the wide yard.
"I wonder..."

I trail off, thinking something to myself. If there is truth to this story, that these Elementals have taught humanity the use of magic... then maybe they could've been the beings powerful enough to bring me here? But as she said, without proper evidence, this is just a hypothesis.

Soon, we enter the building. It appears to have undergone renovations recently. Evening light streams through large, stained glass windows, clearly structured with great skill and the application of magic. They depict vivid scenes, likely from various legendary and historical events.
That pulls me out of my own musings, and I watch the hall with great interest.
Interestingly, despite its recent disenfranchisement, heroes wielding Shadow magic are depicted where historically relevant.
"Oh?"

"What is it?"

"These fascinating windows show even heroes wielding shadow magic."

"They do. In many ages, Shadow mages were not much worse in moral stature than any other kind of person. We try to do better today."

"I see."
I sigh.
"I wonder which of our societies the primitive one is, really."

She looks slightly depressed for a moment.
"Perhaps ours just hasn't had enough chances to fall yet..."

"Perhaps. And if I have any say in the matter, it won't come to that."

She smiles again, and I as well. I positively adore her smile. If it's up to me, I would make sure that she smiles all the time. That she has the reason to do so.
I reach out to her and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"This marvellous lighting only enhances your radiant beauty even more."

When I retract my hand, I let my thumb gently brush over her cheek

She blushes.
"Uhhh..."

I smile warmly at her, but she quickly turns away and begins searching the halls for something.
I worriedly step up to her.
"I'm sorry... was that too much?"

She doesn't respond, but her cheeks heat a bit more at my question.

I sigh.
"My apologies. I did not want to embarrass you. So, uhm, can I help you looking for something?"

Leanna scans each Professor we pass, as if looking for someone specific.
She leads me up a winding staircase, then grins when she spots an older man with greying hair. His robes are pleated with white stripes and he carries a staff in one hand.
"Professor Oran!"

One of the people in black cloaks looks up from a conversation, politely excuses himself, and walks over. Leanna smiles at him.
"Sorry to disturb you."

He shakes his head with a wide smile.
"Leanna! One of my best and brightest. What a pleasant surprise. I always have time for you and your work. So, what is it?"

"You'll recall that I was sent to study the recent magical anomalies in the Meadowhill area, right?"

He nods in understanding.

"Well, I found someone who was directly affected."
She gestures to me, and the Professor looks me over as Leanna hands him a sheet of paper.

I nod at the professor in a respectful greeting.
"Greetings, Professor Oran. I am Xerath Kallig."

He nods.
"Charmed."

He continues to look over the page.
"Leanna, are you sure these numbers are right?"

"Positive. I made sure to scan him multiple times, as per protocol."

"Hmm..."

"I am aware that these readings are somewhat... outlandish, and will scan him again now if you desire."

Oran adjusts his glasses.
"That seems to me like a good idea."

I have the sneaking suspicion that the results will no longer match, but keep quiet for now.
Leanna lifts her manipulator, and once again it glows, but it does not flash like before.
"That's odd."

The professor nods.
"Well, it is to be expected. Manipulators are known to give faulty readings in high-energy environments sometimes. As such, I doubt that this was the energy associated specifically with this young man."

She sighs, but nods.
"Still, being in an area with that much energy should've left a trace that would still be measurable. Perhaps we could scan him with the Academy's equipment?"

The professor nods.
"If we could find a trace of the relevant energy, that would provide some interesting data."

She smiles at me.
"Could you come with us?"

I nod.
"Of course."
As I said earlier, I would follow her everywhere.

They lead me through the Academy's halls, and the decoration I see reminds me a bit of the Jedi Temple on Tython, when I visited it that one time, even if that wasn't a pretty picture. Eventually, we reach a large amphitheatre. Once again, this society's practice of the Force mirrors more closely mundane academics than the more spiritual forms native to my galaxy.
A couple of pangos openly roam about the room, mostly ignored by the people.
If one wanders a little too close to a crystal, a student chases it away. Otherwise, they leave each other be.

"I thought you said pangos weren't really welcomed in society?"

Leanna looks fondly around the room, a reminiscent smile on her face.
"They aren't, but mages tend to like them. Pangos absorb residue energy on the mage from casting which is surprisingly nice. Kind of feels like a gentle massage."

Many students take notes, and some watch the large object at the centre with interest. It is a tall construct of glass and Terran crystals, and I can feel large and complex spellcraft throughout the object.
I glance at it with interest.
It appears to be a massively scaled-up version of Leanna's manipulator, bearing four separate crystals for maximum elemental coverage. It is, however, specialized: the material and magical components are all gauged towards the understanding of the object placed within. I idly wonder why there is no shadow crystal as well, if they go to such lengths.
Leanna guides me into it.
"You just need to stand here while we scan you. No need to worry, we're looking at magical energy. Nothing you want to hide can be revealed by this particular scanner on its current setting."

I nod at her and flash a small, grateful smile.
"Got it. Thank you."

She smiles, then she closes a door of glass, and stands back.

I fold my hands behind my back and stand tall, waiting for their scans.
Several things happen, as magical and mundane components move impurities from the area, flushing out like an airlock. Then, I feel a beam of energy scan my body, poring over every minute detail, looking for magic. I wonder for a moment what would happen if I were to lift my veil, but quickly decide that following that musing would not be worth it.

Soon, the beam stops, and the door is opened.
"If it was a malfunction, and only residue, I could understand him being low on energy, but after being in an event like that it doesn't make sense that he'd have no magic left on him."

The professor nods.
"I agree. Unfortunately, this isn't really my area of expertise. Get your manipulator checked out and file your reports, we'll discuss this more in a bit - I need to go find someone."

Leanna nods.
"Of course. You'll hear from us soon."

While our discussion had taken place, I noticed the pangos would watch me with interest. A green one starts to gravitate towards us as Leanna's sentence hangs off.

"Poi?"

I look down and see my wobbly blue friend at my feet.
"Hey, you're back."

It seems to be heading towards me. Intriguing.
"Poi!"

He bounces on the ground and fixes me with his wide smile.
Suddenly, he stops and stares at the green pango who blinks back at him. He hops towards it and grins.
"Poi... poi poi?"

"Poi!"

My pango's eyes widen.
"Poi?!"

"Poi poi!"

The green pango grins and hops away and my pango follows it.
I have no idea what just happened, but why do I feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Leanna watches them leave with a warm smile, then steps up to me.
"Well, I need to go do some paperwork. Feel free to explore the Academy, but try to stay in places where I can find you."

"Hm, alright. That suits me well, I actually wanted to check something."

She smiles.
"As I thought - there would be some places you'd want to look at in the Academy."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Well, there are libraries, and a museum where interesting magical artefacts are kept, and several Ymiran Spears that are around from time to time. One of them is a professor here, actually - though their class is quite selective."

"An object being a teacher?"
I shake my head.
"That will take some getting used to."

"I'm told that one of the reasons they handpick students is because some people do not want to be told how to use magic by a floating manipulator."

"Quite possible."
I close my eyes for a moment and search for a quiet space in the academy, where I can meditate unhindered. Once I find a direction, I open my eyes.
"Ah. I'll head to the library in this wing. On the second floor is a nice corner."

"I love that studying spot. Have fun!"
She smiles and departs.

"You too."
With that, I sigh. Is it just me, or did the temperature just drop when she left? I head over to the spot I decided on, walking with a confident gait, accurately navigating the halls.

Eventually, I arrive at a quiet alcove in one of the Academy's libraries. Noise levels are low, surroundings interesting but entirely consistent, and population is low.
Perfect. I seek out a spot where I am not easily noticed, out of the way of others, and begin to meditate. One thing I was curious about was the passage of time on Terra, so I scan the system once more and all the orbits, calculating their duration and translating it to GST.
The orbit of Terra is slightly shorter than a galactic standard year: three hundred sixty days long. The other planets have less immediately interesting periods.
Interesting. Terra comes quite close to the Galactic Standard Time. The orbit around the sun is a few days shorter, but Terra's own rotation matches the one of Coruscant with twenty-four standard hours. Though how they organise their calendar beyond that would be something I need to ask Leanna about. Nevertheless, I observe the orbit of Terra's moon, which might give some hints. The moon orbits around once every thirty days.
Well, a society like this one that takes much from the observation of their surroundings would likely base their calendar on something observable as well. If they take the months after the moon's orbit, they would have twelve of them per year.

With my initial goal finished, I retract back out of my meditation and open my eyes.
Not too much time has passed, as I was done faster than anticipated, so I doubt Leanna will be back shortly. But at the same time, I don't want to move after I told her I'd be here. Though I really want to explore some more of the Academy... it's a really beautiful place.

Well, then, I'll just have to explore without leaving this position. I close my eyes again and let my mind's eye roam around the Academy.
But what do I even look for? Well, nothing in particular... although... that museum Leanna mentioned would be interesting. I can't pass up a chance to take a look at these Ymiran Spears, can I?
Roaming the halls with my mind's eye, it doesn't take me long to find the Department of Historical Artifacts. Held within many glass cases are magical objects from various periods of Esarian history. One after one, I take interested looks at them.
The first truly interesting thing I notice in the exhibits is a trend. The most interesting, powerful, and useful artefacts are those from the most recent eras. Few items in these exhibits compare to those in use right now.
Oh? That is rather curious. In my galaxy, it usually is the other way around. I study these recent objects.
As I examine more closely the reason is obvious: science. The more recent an object is, the more capable its society was at creating magical objects. While there are some hiccups along the way - caused by either a social collapse or sudden brilliant inventor, I assume - there are no examples in the exhibits, or even mentioned in what I can glean of the history, of an ancient and powerful magical artefact that is better than what can be made in the modern day.
I smile slightly to myself. Then they probably had no dark ages like my galaxy so far. I'd like to keep it that way.
There are things which are called dark ages, of course, but societies always eventually built themselves up better than they were before. Given the trend, however, I doubt that those were real dark ages, like how the history of my galaxy is littered with.
Some of the items present in the exhibits have interesting tricks to their designs which are mentioned, but honestly, this isn't nearly as powerful a resource as it is in my galaxy. All the design tricks are understood, and either used in contemporary magic or have an explicit reason not to be used in contemporary magic.
I suppose that there is still a rather large divide between the technologies of Terra and my galaxy. But even so, it is admirable how far they have come already. Whenever I look impressed at something, or interested, it's mostly not because I have not seen something like it, but because I did not expect such a young civilisation to have those things.
Even so, the history of Esaria is - at least - a rather interesting subject. Even if there isn't anything to gain from taking an ancient weapon out of its display case.
I suppose that I can leave them with their toys, then. I muse that not too long into the future, objects of my own making will stand amongst these exhibits.
Regardless of circumstance, it is comforting and uplifting to find a world where the best things are yet to be made. Well, my own galaxy also still has room to grow in technological ways, but here it is much more so. It's also quite amusing to see ancient legendary weapons that are worse than Leanna's own, mass-produced sword.
I have to chuckle at that.

When I feel that I have looked around enough around the exhibits, I continue to scout the halls, looking at the impressive architecture. Especially the colourful windows.
As I suspected, each of these have little plaques detailing the time or myth they represent.
Quite intrigued, I begin to read about them, one after another. Only to be remembered that I can't read the local language. Blast it. Oh well, the plaques may be of little value to me, then, but I already know a little bit about their history, so I should be able to cross-reference the pictures in the windows.
I study the windows and search first for the furthest back chronologically, at least in myth.
It doesn't take long. Two windows, side by side, depict the first recorded event in human history on this world - over five thousand years ago, someone discovered how to use magic.
On the left, there is a man in a tent with a water crystal, making the liquid in a bowl move. On the right, there are five figures bearing crystals of their colour, descending from the sky to a set of human villages.
I am intrigued about the depicted story of what I assume to be the Elementals Leanna has mentioned. I have the sneaking suspicion that they will not remain an uncertain mystery for all that much longer.
From the idea, however, it does seem to be a bit strange that after a time of myth like this religion vanished almost entirely from Esaria. If the most common myth of one of the most important events in this society's history is from a remnant cultural effect of a nearly dead religion... that implies a particular thing about the resident culture. Traditionally, the Force is a very spiritual idea. The fact that there were once Force-related faiths... but the practices are dead or dying... that says that at some point in their history a shift had to have occurred to move them away from the traditional views on the Force.
Zack and Leanna have mentioned an Empire before, that was supposedly very bad and had similar views on magic like my galaxy... perhaps the downfall of that society triggered a shift in the people here? Perhaps they associated the spiritual aspect of the Force with the evil things this Empire might or might not have done?
Now that I look more at the whole images rather than their contents, the glass seems to be slowly animated. The Elementals bob slowly up and down, the circles about the crystals slowly spin.

I breathe out in wonder. They really do know how to make things with style. This is like a magical neon advertisement sign, but made out of glass.

Perhaps I should look for panes depicting this 'Empire'. If the aesthetic is not dissimilar, it should not be difficult to find. Yes, I do exactly that.
I quickly realize that the history is organized around the square of the compound.
Ooh. Makes it easier to just look at everything in order.
I see tribes develop, the first great works of magic and then...
Ah. That makes sense. I see the first flag or banner, flying over a legion of black iron-armoured soldiers. A six-pointed star, on a background of red.
I blink.

The lands burn, and though resistance comes in the form of the tribes of magic, they are not nearly enough.

My body back in the alcove speaks out with disbelief.
"How?"

I wonder why their banner so closely resembles the Sith banner. And even the armour design... very weird.
Anyhow, I focus back on the windows. They had an unstoppable army and conquered the lands. What happened next?
After the Esarian Empire was established, Esaria grew rapidly, but in chains. Over a century, images of resistance and revolt die away, and the high towers of mages rise over the dirty cities of the poor.
Looks familiar.
Unlike the time of the tribes, there are no panes of interspersed heroes. None. I suspect that the Empire recorded none. None that did not fit their narrative.
Altering the records of the annals, did they? How deplorable.
Then, from a setting sun on the seas, ships came.
Oh?
Explorers, humans from a distant land. How did Zack call them again? The Southern Dominion, was it? They spoke with the people, learned of the lay of the land. They decided that this Empire could not be allowed to grow beyond Esaria. They stole the people they spoke to away and covered their tracks.
The next time the ships appear, they carry spies. Intrigue, assassination, shadow warfare. They weakened the magical nobility, which had long since lost its brilliant guiding hand, and fermented resistance in the people. With time, fires bloomed across Esaria again.
Ah, the mages stagnated with their power, reassured in their position. Pathetic, yet also familiar.
And the resistance was joined by soldiers baring a flag of an island city beneath an overhead sun. Given how far along that must have been, I am impressed by this Southern Dominion and their elaborate warfare.
However, the Dominion was obviously not equipped to administer Esaria - they were content to fracture the continent into less imperialistic kingdoms assembled by the various factions of the resistance. This time appears to be where the modern noble lines can trace their heritage to - ancient rebel leaders, Dominion spies, and the remnants of the Imperial government. Interesting.
Esaria broke into hundreds of petty kingdoms and more bandits and raiders.
I frown. That could have gone better. They replaced tyranny with anarchy. One evil with another.
Then, two to three thousand years of war and political manoeuvring.
I shake my head sadly and disappointed.
The Dominion stood safely back for most of this - willing to trade with the more stable kingdoms, but otherwise disinterested in the continent.
I frown at them again. All this time... they just watched the chaos continue they were responsible for creating. I am disgusted by these people. They are no better than the Empire they toppled.
Slowly, these tiny fragments of civilization began to join together, through wars and alliances, borders were redrawn, heroes of might and magic toppled the worst kings - sometimes to replace them with better ones.
Eventually, there were three kingdoms, each of somewhat equal power. Skirmishes cascaded into the conflict known by Esarians only as the Great War.
I wince. Sounds familiar.

Men and women fought with metal and magic, the undead rose and mystical beasts unleashed, great siege weapons fired on castles and cities. Every lesson of war learned in four thousand years of organized conflict was applied. Heroes rose and were killed, on all sides. Some wanted glory, some to win, and others just wanted the war to end. But the hints began to appear in the windows that something else was going on. Another faction, whose hands were not yet raised to strike. But they would be. Withdrawn from the shadows of the ages, a new faction took up the Empire's six-pointed star, prepared to invoke the same fear and bring the same stability that had once ruled Esaria. At their core, was a cult of Shadow magic. The last great religious organization on a continent where religions had died. VOID.
I continue to watch with great interest. I know how it will play out from this point, but these windows still are incredible pieces of art.
VOID rises, and their use of Shadow magic is extensive and terrifying, far more than any of the kingdom's uses of it. The war seems to firmly establish Shadow magic as a dangerous and terrifying weapon of mass destruction. It creates monsters, raises the dead, and levels cities, and VOID takes this to the extreme.

I am sickened, but curious. Especially about these abilities that raise the dead. But not much information on the subject is present in the images, of course. I know only that it happened, and was Shadow magic. Well, then I will most likely have to wait until I can read some books on the matter. I focus back on the wonderful windows.
Eventually, however, VOID is forced back by a coalition of the three kingdoms, and the last few panes of the war depict a great siege, and a battle between several important-looking VOID mages, and a group of heroes and soldiers wielding long-barreled firearms. Then, there are scenes of rebuilding, and of courtrooms. The kingdoms argue, wanting a resolution to the war. But then the heroes make their case.
This group of six each share stories of what the war did to their homes and families, calling to events in sparse towns and great cities alike. Through images alone, these panes communicate the arguing back and forth, as the heroes place blame on the kingdoms for creating an environment where VOID could flourish in the first place.
I find myself nodding along with the arguments of the heroes.
They delivered an ultimatum, one that would not be executed by them or anyone in the room - if the war continued, then more would come, and all that the kingdoms had or might seek to gain from wars would be lost to them forever. To stop this, there needed to be a better way.
More arguing, more diplomacy, more courtroom shenanigans, but with time a treaty is signed.
And the last pane before the cycle would repeat shows not heroes or kings, but an image of the continent itself. On it, there are only the barest hints of cities and human habitation - the main features are the rivers and mountains, no borders are drawn.
It is only Esaria, the land where all are now free to live in peace.

I smile. Quite the nice symbolic. After that, I linger for a moment, just taking in the wonderful lighting these colourful windows generate. If anything, that is something I very much want to recreate for my galaxy. It is a rather nice touch, making this college of magic a sort of living historical document. Though I suspect that this is the uniquely Havengardean way of commemorating history - the other Academies and other kingdoms likely have their own traditions in this regard. And that is all - the present has been reached.

I enjoy the colourful atmosphere for a bit longer, but eventually, I go back to the exhibition, wanting to search a bit more on these Ymiran Spears. I look around. Terran magic, once you get the hang of what it looks like, isn't too hard to find - but this place is completely lit up with it. My Force senses are of barely any help until I learn to recognize the specific signature of the Ymiran Weave.

Still, floating magical objects aren't too hard to find once you narrow the search area and use more conventional senses.
I find one in a small classroom, floating in front of a chalkboard.
"...and that is why we always build multiple transfer nodes into our equations when possible. While it makes our spells more complicated, three or four nodes instead of one lessens the chance that random fluctuations in the environment will disturb this critical part of your spell. Since you are all of the skill that these more complex spell-constructs can be maintained, I urge you to begin involving this in your casting. Do so now. I will provide suitable magical interference."

The students stand and nod at their floating gauntlet of a professor.
The manipulator moves, clenching its fist and spinning magic into being. Waves of disturbance and distortion pour over the classroom as the students begin to try to cast.

As long as I am not affected, I linger for a moment to see the results of these students' efforts. The magical distortions wash over me, affecting even my probe - though it is a small expression of my power, it is still interesting that it can affect me.

The students try for several minutes before one draws water from a flask and into the air.

"Good, good. Now that the technique has been shown to work, perhaps you'll work with a bit more alacrity."

I still find it weird that they take orders from a gauntlet, but I am intrigued about what it has to teach. Although I have no idea what they're talking about, as I am still lacking the very basics of their magic. As such, I leave the class to do their things and search for the other Spears Leanna said were exhibited here.
One other is present here - a warhammer, borne by a shorter individual. He appears to be visiting the Academy.
Oh? I head over to this individual.

He seems to be of another of the humanoid species present on Terra. He does not share the high Force aptitude of the humans and elves - the only magic on him comes from the hammer on his back, seemingly strapped to him mostly by the hammer's own magic. He also has another one strapped to his back through more regular means. His armour is made of an alloy including that strange, Force-damping metal Leanna talked about earlier. Adamantine, she called it.

He is travelling with an elf and a human, and they seem about ready to leave the Academy. Two black felines trod along with them. The dwarf nods up at the human.
"That all, Jero?"

The man nods.
"Yes. We can head back to the inn. It's getting late."

The elf smiles.
"I must say, you were surprisingly cu-"

"Please, not again. I don't need more of this."

She shrugs bemusedly.
"I just thought it was nice to see you with Gwynevere."

They seem to be discussing something private to them, so I leave them to it. I don't mean to eavesdrop. But they seem to be an interesting bunch, maybe I'll meet them again. And in earnest. They're not aware of me yet, after all.

A few minutes later, Leanna enters the library. I still sit in the same spot, probing around. But when she draws closer, I smile up at her, dismissing my probe.
She reaches towards me, offering her hand whichisasynonymformarriageinsomecult-
"Professor Oran managed to find the person we want to talk to. Come on, Xerath."

My eyes open and I grasp her hand, knowing her intention of helping me up. I do not give that other random thought any more attention.
"Good."

Then, I smile at her.
"Thanks, and welcome back."

"I hope you didn't get bored."

"Oh no, not at all. I explored the academy. I think I have a better grasp on your continent's history now."

She slightly arcs a delicate brow.
"Looked at the windows, then?"

I nod.
"Yes. They were wonderful."

She nods with a small smile.
"That they are. Let's go."

"I'm already with you, though."

She smiles.
"We also need to start walking, Xerath."

"That is what I meant, yes. Just lead the way."

We move, and it isn't long before we reach Professor Oran and a bald person in a wheelchair.
Leanna blinks, missing a step.
"Professor Exavier?"

I worry for her and am prepared to catch her, but don't move much outwardly.

The bald man nods.
"That's my name, yes. Oran told me about your predicament, and I was intrigued."

He smiles.
"Greetings, Leanna and... Xerath, was it?"

I nod at him in greeting, with a smile.
"Indeed. Greetings, professor Exavier. My name is Xerath Kallig, pleased to meet you."

He looks between the two of us.
"Charmed."

There is a pause.
"I'm sure that Leanna is aware that generally, when a manipulator is not internally flawed, a reading must come from somewhere. Your manipulator read an energy level in the gigathaums, correct?"

She nods.
"One point two one gigathaums, sir."

"And you just got it checked out?"

"Nothing indicated that large errors could've occurred."

"I see. So that energy needed to have been somewhere in the environment."

I incline my head.
"If I may, sirs?"

"You have something to say?"

I nod.
"Yes. I believe that this massive energy was residue of something. It clung to me for the last few days, but eventually dissipated."

"Residue possibly, but the typical combustion point for humans is around the thirteen megathaum mark. Your reading was several orders of magnitude higher than the amount of energy lethal to humans. You are human, correct?"

I scratch my cheek.
"Ehm... let's just assume that I am more resilient than the average human."

"Shouldn't make too much of a difference. Even elves, who are known for channelling magic directly through themselves, can only handle about a hundred. Their biology is specialized to handle such excesses."

"I see. Well, as far as I can tell, that residue was just outside of me - clinging to my skin, so to speak. I wasn't really doing anything with it."

"That is generally what residue does, yes."

In other words, that had been taken into account.

"Then, this combustion point you mentioned... contains the ambient energy as well, not just the energy a mage channels?"

"Yes. It's one of the reasons high-energy warfare sometimes creates areas no one can enter without magical protection."

"I see..."

"Regardless, that so much energy gathered there, that couldn't have been a normal magical event. There are only a few natural phenomena that are even theoretical that contain such energies. As a result, I think I might have an idea of what happened to our friend."

I arc an interested brow.

He looks at Leanna.
"Are you familiar with the spatial pliability conjecture?"

She blinks.
"I thought that was a thought experiment."

"For now it is. But I think your friend might've gotten caught in a temporal rift. Odds are, it only passed through him and displaced him slightly - actual cross-universal travel has next to no chance of survival without intentional aid - but he's likely from a very different place than Esaria at the least."

I nod and smirk.
"What gave it away?"

"Energy levels. I hadn't met you yet."

I nod.
"Fair enough."

"But even intentional processes have difficulty reaching that energy level."

"I think... some powerful beings have transported me here intentionally."

"Oh, what makes you think that?"
Everyone looks at me.

"Well, one does not simply move across galaxies like that. Also, when I crossed... well, more like when I was dragged over here, I felt something I can only describe as faint hopefulness. As if the beings that brought me here were hoping that I would do something."

Exavier cocks his head.
"Did you study the spell's structure to find this?"

I shake my head.
"Spell's structure...? No..."

"Feelings one gets from magic typically aren't reliable unless supported. I can't take your word on something like that, but I do agree that it is more likely for such an event to be engineered than not."

"Well, just assume that I don't exactly follow your world's rules for magic."

"Unfortunately, the spatial pliability conjecture is both recent and infrequently studied, so you'll have to-"
He registers my sentence and raises an eyebrow.
"'Our world's rules'?"

"Yes. You already deduced that I'm not from here. And where I'm from, we have a rather... different relationship with magic."

"Interesting. I would love to quiz you on it, but for now let's focus on the task at hand."

I nod.
"Indeed. I'm sure we'll find an opportunity for that in the future, though."

"Indeed. So, the pioneer and most recent individual who studied the SPC went looking for Embermyst a few years ago."

Leanna sighs, but smiles somewhat.
"Of course. Where else could our first lead be but looking for the hidden city of fire? It's a regular start of a legend."

"Oh? You had me at 'legend' there."

Exavier nods.
"You'll be looking for a man by the name of Professor Issim. Where he is, we don't know."

Someone approaches, though they do not yet speak.

I glance at the newcomer, then focus back on the professor.
"So, we've just got to find this hidden city, right?"

I shrug.
"Should be easy enough."

Leanna frowns.
"That assumes it still exists. Our main target is the professor - though I'd imagine actually finding Embermyst would be an incredible achievement."

The someone steps into view.
"Allow me to accompany you on your quest."

I tilt my head.
"Well, if this professor of yours is a pioneer on this topic, I believe he would have found this mysterious city."

I then turn to look at the newcomer I had glanced at earlier.

Exavier frowns.
"Absolutely not."

The interrupter is a short, and still very youthful lady. Her pink hair is done in... what's the name, pigtails? Her amethyst eyes glint with intelligence and determination. Her clothing matches, as she wears a light pink dress, which is just barely not white. The dress has golden trims and brownish-black sides, going over to a long, soft red skirt. The long gloves on her arm and the cloak draped around her shoulders are in the same shade of red, and the cloak is held together by a large blue, crystalline eight-pointed star. She also wears thigh-high boots in that blackish colour with golden trims.

"Could you elaborate upon your disapproval? This seems like the perfect opportunity to study the wider world and finish my curriculum."

"We've discussed this. As of now, field studies are far too dangerous for you - though you are an exceptional student, the 'wider world' you intend to study is beyond your capabilities to contain."

She crosses her arms.
"Am I then mistaken in my assessment that I would be travelling with at least two other mages, both sanctioned by their academies?"

He sighs.
"Amelia, this wouldn't be Academy-sponsored. Two is what you get."

Exavier shakes his head.
"I'm sorry, Amelia, but I will tolerate no further public argument in this area. Feel free to see me or another professor in their office later."

She pauses for a second.
"I understand, professor."
She turns heel and walks away primly.

I watch over to her as she walks away, then look back to the professor.
"With all due respect, professor, two is all she would need as protection. But you will have your reasons, so I won't intrude."

He shakes his head.
"Pay her no mind; that's just how she is."

Leanna blinks.
"She was Amelia Estelle, wasn't she?"

The professors nod.
"Her mastery of magic has gone to her head, it seems. Bureaucracy makes allowances for no one. She will understand with time."

I glance over to Leanna.
"You know her?"

"Regardless, I will provide you with the material we have on Issim's course. Having him back will be a boon to the Academy."

I blink my focus back to the professors.
"Ah, yes. That would be most helpful, you have my gratitude."

Leanna is given a scroll.

"Good luck. Hopefully, we can at least get this young man back to where he belongs."

"Thank you. We will."

I smile confidently.
"So, when we find Issim, I'll tell him you guys want him back."

"That's the most we can ask."

Then, I regard the professor with a serious expression.
"However, how do you know I am not already where I belong?"

"Temporal rifts are theorized to be between realities. I think you are very far from where you came from, even if you were only displaced around the edge of one."

"Hmm. Based on my first analysis, I remained in the same plane of reality. Though I admit I am not an expert on this topic, so I might be wrong on that."

"Regardless, it would be simpler if you pretended to be from Esaria. Unless you feel like explaining things to a lot of people."

I nod.
"I tried to do that so far. Although... I don't think I did a very good job at that."

Leanna smiles.
"Just do your best."

I return her smile.
"Always."

Professor Oran smiles as well.
"I think you'll find you're in good hands with my protege. We'll take our leave - you have plans to make, and we have papers to work."

Professor Exavier nods.
"Good luck."

My smile widens.
"Oh, I already know that, professor Oran. And thank you both. I hope we will get another chance to talk."

"Perhaps we shall."
They leave, with Exavier's wheelchair pushing itself with Wind magic.

I smile after them, then at Leanna.
"Nice fellows."

"They should be - their job is teaching the next generation of mages."

I shrug.
"That never stopped the Inquisitors and Overseers to be the greatest scumsuckers possible."

"'Scumsucker'?"

"An insult. As in, they're a large pain in the neck."

"I see."
She begins to lead me out of the Academy.
"We should get to the Inn and start asking around. We might find someone who knows something."

"Sounds good. Like that young pink lady you seem to know?"

"Well, I knew of her. Remember when I said most Mage-Casters are in their forties, and a few are as young as twenty-five? She's eighteen."

"You said something along those lines, although you didn't give me specific ages."
I blink.
"But that is rather young for such an achievement. She must have begun her training very early, then. ...Which is something normal, according to you..."

"Yes. She's a prodigy. Her Fundamental Birth happened when she found a crystal on the floor when she was ten. The Academy couldn't not accept her after something like that. She's one of the best students of magic in history, but she isn't done learning yet."

"Well, obviously. You're never done learning."

"She's a Mage-Caster, but isn't sanctioned yet is what I mean."

"Ah. I see. So, she hasn't passed her trials yet."

"Her which?"

"Err, like the Sith have their trials, and only after you finish them you are officially a Sith, and no longer an Acolyte."

"Oh, like a field study."

"Perhaps. Only several ones of those, all of which are lethal."

"What!? Who would design tests to kill?"

"Sith would."

"Field studies are dangerous, but we protect the students."

"'To weed out the weak', or some crap like that. And yes, your methods are closer to the Jedi in that regard."

"It weeds out the unlucky, and strength is of no use to one who is not a knight."

"Well, strength is everything for a Sith. Remember their code? 'Through power, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain victory.'"

"There are many kinds of strength. Most do not show in battle."

"Heh. Try telling that to the Sith. If the Acolytes cannot complete their trials, they are weak. The weak die. That is the way of the Sith. That is why I never could appear weak. To show weakness is to invite attack. To invite attack is to assure your own demise. Or, well, that was how things were during my training there. I actually don't know how far Acina's reformations have gone so far."

Her expression falls.
"That's awful... I hope she can help..."

"I hope so, too. But from what I've seen so far, she's on the right way. Anyhow, to get back on topic, what's on those notes you got from the professors?"

She opens the scroll.
"Looks like a record of some of Issim's research notes. A lot is missing, but we might be able to get something out of this... I just can't fathom why they don't have the full copy."

"Hmm..."
I shrug.
"Who knows?"

"We'll need to study this. Professor Issim... wrote quite oddly."

I take a look at the scroll as well, looking over her shoulder.
"Really? I can't tell."

"Right, we need to teach you Common's writing system."

I nod.
"Yes, please. It was a bit frustrating when I couldn't even read the plaques at the windows. When and where would you like to do so?"

"We can start today, assuming our schedule is alright with it. Let's see... we need to ask around the inn, have dinner, and get you a decent massage."

I blush brightly at the thought of the massage.
"Uhm... Are you... uhm... are you sure that's... uhm... a good idea?"

"Is it not a good idea?"

"Y'know... in light of these new, weird thoughts of mine..."

"You don't have to if you don't want to, Xerath."

"Don't get me wrong, I love your touch, especially your massage... it's just... I think I'd love it too much..."

"Ah. That's alright."
She smiles at me.
"Just another thing to save for hypotheticals, then."

I nod weakly, still majorly flustered. Then I clear my throat and scratch my cheek.
"Ahem. Well, as for our schedule... I think we wouldn't need long for this exercise, anyways."

"Assuming your alphabet is just different symbols for the same things."

I nod.
"Exactly. I think so, since we can talk just fine, so I'm quite sure we have the same grammatical rules and all."

"For the most part, I agree. There might be one or two strange things, but it shouldn't be unmanageable."

"Indeed. And even if it were a completely new language, I'm rather fast in picking them up, too. Though I would still need considerably longer than one evening."

She beams at me.
"This will be fun, I'm sure."

I smile brightly at her as well.
"I've got you with me, so I know such."

"Aww, you're cute, Xerath."

Just as my blush was about to die down, it flares up again.
"Wh-what? What brought that up, all of a sudden?"

"Well, your compliments of course. You're cute."

I fiddle with my fingers.
"You think so? Really?"

She beams at me.
"Of course!"

I sigh.
"I never thought I'd feel this happy to be told I'm cute..."

She slightly tilts her head.
"Why would you not be happy?"

"Well, in my society, 'cute' is generally not used to describe men. Especially not Sith. It's more something said to women and children."

A small frown settles on her beautiful face.
"Well, that's stupid. You're cute, and that's something to be proud of."

I blush brightly.
"We-well... thank you... As long as you can think of me as such... I must have done something right, at least. That you can call me cute like that... must mean that you're not intimidated by me. I think. I hope..."

"Of course not. You're powerful, but not dangerous. Not to me."

"Correct. I would never, ever harm you. Or, well, at least not intentionally..."

She rubs my shoulder slightly.
"And if you did, I'm sure I could forgive you."

I smile at her.
"Thank you."

I then clear my throat.
"Ahem. So, going back to learning your written word, should we do so first? I figured it might be best while we're still at the Academy?"

"That makes sense. To the library!"

I chuckle at her.
"My, aren't you still energetic and enthusiastic?"

"I am when something interests me. Come on!"

"I'm right beside you, Leanna. Just lead the way."

She leads me onwards with a spring in her steps, to one of the libraries, and grabs a book from the shelf. She sets it down on a table, sits in a couch, and pats the space beside herself.
I blush a bit, but sit down beside her.
"So, what do you have in mind?"

"Well, I think we'll just start by each writing our alphabet and matching."
She produces a piece of paper.
"You go first."

The positioning of the piece of paper so that we can both easily access it has us crowd around it.
I nod.
"That makes sense."

I use all of my attention on the task at hand, not thinking about how close Leanna is to me, or how pleasant she smells - no, I certainly am not thinking about any of that. Instead, I move to write the Aurabesh alphabet down, only to notice I have nothing to write with. I shrug, and a pen manifests in my hand. Then, I write my alphabet down.

"Okay, that's more letters than mine. What sounds do each of these make?"

"Well, some are just mixed letters."
I go through each symbol.

As I speak, she writes letters or combinations of letters beneath each of my symbols.
"And, done."

She places the book between us.
"Now, what does this say?"

The first recorded application of Fire magic was not to burn, but to heat. Originally, the Vestans lived in a very cold region of the world, and Fire magic provided a working solution to the local temperatures.

I read it out loud, though I speak slowly, assuring I make no mistakes.

She smiles.
"That's it."

"Ahh, this will make it so much easier. But still, why do these letters seem so familiar?"
I stare intently at the sheet between us, scanning the local alphabet and simultaneously racking my memory.

Leanna is silent while I do this, leaving me to my thoughts.

It doesn't take long for me to remember.
"Ohh! Of course! How could I forget this?!"

I look at Leanna.
"I've learned this alphabet before."

She blinks surprised.
"Oh, you have?"

I nod.
"We know it as High Galactic Standard. Zash taught it to me, but it's really rarely used, so I never really had a chance to use it beyond her one or two lessons she showed it to me."

"Oh. That's odd."

"Hm? How so?"

"It seems our languages are very linked. But why would my alphabet be in your past despite our languages both being in each other's present?"

I blink.
"It's not exactly 'of the past'. I think High Galactic Standard and Aurabesh were developed at around the same time, just that Aurabesh was somehow more commonly accepted. That development has led to the current point, where mostly only nobles and such use it. Others mainly use it for their autographs or some corporations use it on their logos. It is known to be seen as snobbish by most people."

"Having two basically unrelated alphabets seems pretty odd to me."

"Well, it goes back to the beginning of the Republic, I think. There was some group of people that wanted to present a different option to the Aurabesh alphabet, so they created a new one."

"Huh."

Oh dear, her face is close again.
I lean back before I can do something stupid.
"Well, want to make sure I really got it? Otherwise, I believe that we'd be done here."

She produces another book.
"We could read this together."

I nod, a bit hesitatingly.
"O-okay."

It appears to be fiction - an open-ended story about a person going on adventures in a strange land.
I smile slightly.
"Any particular reason you chose that book?"

"I thought it would appeal to you. It's one of my favourites - it's just someone exploring a land mostly empty of danger but filled with spectacle. No stakes, all worldbuilding. It's a story about being free."

"Being free, huh? Sounds wonderful."

"It is."

And so do we dive into the first chapter, huddled around the book. I have a wide smile on my face the entire time - only partially because of the book.

Meanwhile, off in a corner, I can hear some groans. Something to the effect of 'How dare this outlander steal the light of this Academy?'.
I have half a mind to send a glare their way, but quickly decide against it. These losers are not worth my effort, nor time.
Which does not hold true for Nox, though. Seems like he found an opportunity to have some fun.

Doubtlessly they want her for some ridiculous reason, such as her nice... full... lips... Yes, my affection is totally pure. Or at least I would want it to be, but my own thoughts constantly betray me. Although, Leanna said that it's alright, so it's going to be alright.

Meanwhile, Nox decides to mess with these people a bit, letting them have a shiver run down their spines - as if something were watching them from behind. But when they turn around, there is nothing there.

Leanna does not notice. She and I continue to read. I myself am also only dimly aware of Nox being up to something, but I can't be bothered with caring about that too much right now. Not when perfection incarnate is sitting so close to me, reading together. Just like... just like back then...
I notice how my vision grows blurry.
"Huh?"

Leanna looks over at me, surprised.
"Xerath, what's wrong?"

I wipe at my eyes, surprised to find them moist.
"Huh? I... I don't know. I think... I think I'm just happy."

She smiles brightly at me.
"Then cry all you want, Xerath. Be joyous."

"This moment... it reminds me of when I was a child. I'd sit together with Kory just like this, trying to read a book. Or more like, I would read it to her, because she took longer in learning how to do so."

"I... know how important Kory is to you. Knowing that you can compare me to her... it makes me very happy."

I wipe at my eyes again and sniff.
"Well... around you, I feel just as warm and comfortable as I did around her."

She looks at me with a silent question.
'Hug?'

I blush, but nod, erecting another illusion.
As the veil falls around us, she wraps me in her arms, letting me enjoy the beauty of this moment.
Before long, she, too, is crying with a smile on her face into my shoulder, overwhelmed with joy at his.
I hold her in a warm embrace. Not desperate like often before, but nurturing and loving. I stroke her hair as I have a very soft smile on my face. Happiness radiates off of me, though my eyes have dried now.

"I... I could see it. Your hope. I could see so much..."
She smiles into my eyes, but there is a hint of pain.
"I don't want to break it... I don't..."

I smile softly.
"Shh... it's alright. I'm a big boy, I can handle a rejection. If you find yourself in the situation to give me one, that is. I'd be overjoyed if you were to accept me, of course, but you mustn't force yourself. Okay?"

"I know. That's why I'm afraid."

I blink.
"Huh?"

"I told you before - I know I don't have to. I know that there are some situations where I just... won't be able to. And I know you won't do anything about it except slide backwards from this hope."

"Well, yes."

"And that's exactly what I don't want. I want you to be happy..."

"But, well, I will be most happy at your side. And if that won't be possible... well... I'll make do."

She scratches my head.
"Then... so will I. In the end, we'll be okay, okay?"

"Krrrrrrkrrrrrrrr. Okay."

"Good. Do you want to keep reading?"

"Just... don't force yourself. I'd hate that. In fact, I already hate seeing you struggle so much with yourself."

She frowns at me.
"I guess we're kind of trapped in a cycle, then, huh?"

I smile weakly.
"I suppose so."

She pulls me back deep into a hug.
"But neither of us would feel this way if we didn't love being near each other."

I relax into her.
"I suppose so. You said that you have some kind of love for me, after all."

"I did, and I do, and you are very worthy of it."

"I still have my doubts about that, but I know that you think that is true."

"Is that good enough?"

"Yes."

I can feel her smile, though it casts over my shoulder.
"Good."

I glance away.
"I'll... likely require reassurances like that for a long, long time, though."

"May I ask what exactly you're worried about?"

"That you'll learn something I did, or another detail about my past... that makes you change your view of me. I... I suppose that I'm afraid you'll see me... as I see myself."

"We are our own worst critic. Usually. Sometimes. There are also people like Nawx."

"That holds quite true for me, yes. And he is almost a larger critic of me than I am, too."

"But I doubt that that will ever happen. Just... keep having a little faith, and show me things when you're ready. In theory, you should run out of dark secrets eventually."

"I don't know... I had over a decade to collect them..."

"Trust builds, Xerath. Do you intend to create more?"

I tilt my head.
"You ask me if I want you to trust me more?"

"More dark secrets."

I blink.
"I... am a bit confused. Please speak in full sentences."

"Are you going to have more dark secrets in the future?"

"Oohhh. Now I understand. No, I do not."

"So you have a finite number of them."

"But then again, I never intended to build some in the first place..."

"Now, given that every time I continue to care for you - theoretically, since you have this idea in your head that there are some that might be too much for me - your trust that I will accept the next one as well will increase, right?"

"Yes. Although, I do trust you that you will accept them. However, I can't help but be afraid that you won't..."

"But if your trust increases over time, the rate at which you are willing to share individual secrets with me will increase, right?"

"I suppose."

"And if this keeps up, eventually the rate at which you show them will surpass the rate at which you make them."

"Hopefully."

"And after that point, the number of unshared secrets will begin to reduce. Therefore, eventually, we will get through them all."
She smiles at me.
"I am willing to sit through as much as will help you."

"Well, that will take a while, though."

"Does it look like I care that it will take a long time?"

"No. But I do want to point out that it would be a rather long time commitment for you."

"And I value that time."
She says nothing else, only staring back into my eyes.

I can't help but stare right back, gradually blushing under her intense gaze.
"Leanna..."

"I value that time greatly."

"I do, too. I love you, Leanna."

She turns away slightly, a blush dusting her cheeks as she closes her eyes.
"Know that you're worth every second, Xerath."

"I'll... try to keep that in mind."

She smiles in response.

"So, shall we continue with the book, then? Or head to the inn? It is getting rather late now, doesn't it?"

"It is. We're almost at the end of chapter one, so let's finish, okay?"

"Okay."
I bring my attention back onto our book.

Soon, the chapter is over. It is, as stated, a story with very little conflict. Nothing much happens - and yet, all I need to happen happens.
Leanna closes the book when she's sure I'm done.
"Alright, let's get to the inn."

I nod.
"Okay."

She stands, seeming almost to bounce with a loving energy to her feet.
I stand up with her, enraptured by her motions. I have trained long and hard to have a certain regalness to my movements, but Leanna's grace is something else entirely.
I take pride in the fact that a lesser man would stare only for a few seconds, while I record in an instant before replaying it in my eidetic memory to give the motion the respect it deserves. Indeed. Not a single observed moment of her grace will ever go to waste.
And if ever my mind should fill... there are more than a couple of complicated and deranged rituals that could be overwritten.
Except that my mind will never fill. I will make sure of that. As horrific as my memories can be... I would not want to lose a single one.

Leanna's angelic voice calls me out of my thoughts.
"You look hungry, Xerath. Good thing it's dinnertime."

"Well, I technically could always eat."

"Oh, you can?"

"I can regulate my metabolism. It can go from relatively normal to insanely fast."

"Interesting. So how does that mean that you can eat at any time?"

"Well, technically. My body can burn through so much energy, that I'd be left hungry all the time."

"Since I chose what to eat the last few times, what do you want to eat?"

I shrug.
"Whatever, really."

"Hmm?"

"I told you before I really am not picky with food. As long as it gives me the nutrients I need, I'm good."

"I see. Well, I'll get you something nice."

I only nod in response, but fall silent otherwise.
We walk through the streets, which seem a bit busier. Leanna is fairly focused, however.
I notice immediately.
"Hm? Is something the matter, Leanna?"

"Nothing is wrong, Xerath. We're just getting on the road to Professor Issim."

"Well, if you ask me, that is just a secondary concern."

She pauses.
"Hmm?"

"I'm more interested in spending time with you. Besides, I know that it will work out in the end. It always does."
I smirk confidently.
"I really am the best, after all."

She smiles.
"I'm sure. But not until we do something about it."

"Eh, I suppose."

She leads me to the inn, and I marvel at the architecture again. We weave through streets, alleyways and the occasional park. Illumia truly is a beautiful city.
Eventually, we reach the inn, and she goes up to the innkeeper.
I secure a table for two for us, preferably near the corners again.

Eventually, she returns.
"Our meals will be a little while. In the meantime, I asked the innkeeper about it. Obviously, he doesn't know anything, but there are two explorers here from Vaneaya. Travellers might know. I'll go talk to them. Think you can find anything in this inn?"

I glance around.
"Yes. I'll try my luck as well and ask around a bit."
I stand up.

She smiles.
"Good luck."

"Thanks, you too."

I look around the inn as she leaves and see a number of people. Of most interest to me are a small group enjoying a meal, a mercenary hiding in a corner, and a lady sitting at the counter. Everyone else seems like a local.

I head towards the group. Travellers might know, right? It takes only a moment to recognize them - an elf, dwarf, and human sit around a table, talking amongst themselves. It's the adventurers from earlier.
There's a lean man of normal height wearing silver medium metal armour and way too many weapons. I spot a short bow slung across his back, an empty holster for a dagger and a shortsword are strapped to his hip. Further, I notice the indention of a rolled-up chain and an old-fashioned pistol in his cloak. His leather-clad hands hold the grilled leg of a small avian animal which he eats with pleasure.
Beside him is a short and stout bearded man. Or a walking tank, rather, as he is clad in an imposing heavy metal armour which has a slight blue sheen to it, engraved with symbols I have never seen before. The magic dampening metal known as Adamantine is worked into the metal alloy to a large degree. Two large hammers rest on his back, designed like the warhammers Leanna described, but with a much larger head. One with a blue head seemingly made out of ice and the other a polished steel in appearance, softly humming with static power. I notice that that one is the Ymiran Spear. Gold is entwined in his braided beard. His armour clinks as he takes a swig from his tankard.
The last member of their party is a tall, lithe, and elegant woman. A short recurve bow covered with a different kind of symbols is held in a quiver on her back and her long, glossy blond hair spills around it. A chainmail of the same silver metal the other man wears covers her upper body, the green of her tunic being visible through the gaps, and a rapier is sheathed on her hip. She smiles fondly at a rather large feline with black fur resting at her feet, which she softly pets.

They certainly seem interesting.
I approach them with a polite smile.
"Hello there."

The feline suddenly jolts up, hissing at me, poised to strike. I see that the animal is clearly a predator. And not alone. From behind the taller man, another black feline comes around, hissing at me as well, even if a bit more hesitantly. Interesting.
The woman looks intently at me, before running a hand along the feline's back. She speaks with a soft and warm voice.
"It's alright, Pandora. I doubt he means us harm."

Meanwhile, the other man calls back the other feline.
"Stand down, Saber! That's no way to greet a guest."

The felines look at me cautiously, but hesitantly lie back down.

The short man looks confused between his group members, while the other two peer at me, the other man with cautious curiosity and the woman with a friendly smile.
"I'm sorry. I hope our panthers haven't scared you off."

I smile at her. Now that I get a glimpse at her face, she seems to possess a kind of ethereal beauty, the tips of her pointed ears poking through her long hair merely adding to her charm.
"Don't worry, not at all. Predators don't phase me anymore. I'm surprised how well they listen to you, however."

She smiles coyly at the taller man.
"Well, more or less."

The man just sighs.

The woman turns back to me.
"Anyway, how can we help you?"

I blink.
"Oh, right, sorry. My name is Xerath Kallig. I hope I don't intrude, but I wondered if I could ask you something."

The bearded man speaks up, his voice deep and gruff.
"If you want information, you gotta pay for it."

The woman shoots him a slightly annoyed look.
"What did I tell you about manners, Balin?"

The man merely laughs boisterously.
"Relax, Lydia, I was just joking."

She sighs.
"Feel free to ignore him. We won't charge you, if we can even provide an answer."

They certainly seem interesting.
"Well, I was wondering if any of you know how to get to the city of Embermyst."

The taller man speaks up.
"Embermyst is just a myth."

He leans back.
"Most people think so, at least."

"Well, the question is: do you?"

The stout man, Balin, speaks next.
"We have seen enough mystic stuff to know that there is truth to every myth."

I nod.
"Indeed."

The woman, Lydia, continues.
"But we haven't been there ourselves, nor do we know the way. Sorry."

Her companions nod along with her.
Then Balin speaks again.
"Maybe the city is underground."

The taller man raises an eyebrow.
"Why do you think so?"

He sighs in a mockingly cocky tone.
"Ah Jaroh, typical that you can't see the obvious. Why else has nobody else been able to find it?"

The man, Jaroh, just scowls.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. And that says much, given how much I have to listen to you."

Balin glares back.
"Says the man so dumb he throws around with shit."

"Hey! That has only happened two times!"

"Two times too often."

Lydia sighs and smiles apologetically at me.
"I'm sorry, this will take some time. Hopefully you'll get your answers elsewhere."

I nod at her with a small smile.
"I hope so, too. And I also hope we meet again."

She smiles at me one last time before turning to her companions, trying to soothe them both.

I walk away from their table. While not particularly helpful, they certainly were an interesting bunch. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again.
Well, back to the task at hand, I survey the room again.

Hmm… there's a pretty woman with red hair sitting by the bar. Wearing an elegant yet somewhat revealing dress, she seems to be a noble lady, so maybe she has heard or read about something?
I approach her with a friendly smile.
"Hello there."

She smiles as well.
"Hi."

"I couldn't help but notice you. I was hoping you could help me."

She tilts her head slightly and continues to smile.
"Oh? Well, I may could."

"Splendid. You seem like someone who's been around here for a bit and knows many people."

She nods.
"Mhm. Long enough to know I haven't seen you around."

My eyes widen slightly.
"Oh, of course. How rude of me."

I reach out my hand.
"I am Xerath Kallig, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss...?"

She blinks surprised and hesitates for a moment, before she shakes my hand daintily.
"Monica Collins, although most people just call me Rose."

I raise an eyebrow.
"I admit that seems to be a fitting nickname for you. May I inquire how you acquired it?"

She tilts her head again, a curious and playful smile settling on her lips.
"Say, what do you think I am?"

I blink.
"... A human?"

She giggles.
"Yes, that too. Sorry, I meant what do you think is my profession?"

"Oh. Well. I assumed you to be a noble lady."

She giggles again.
"Why, thank you! Flattering of you to say that. But no, I'm a consort."

I blink, then my eyes widen as I feel some warmth rising into my cheeks.
"A consort? I'm sorry, I didn't know."

In retrospect, though, the signs were there.

She laughs, the sound refreshing.
"You really didn't know that, huh? Well, that certainly explains some things."

I scratch my cheek.
"How so?"

She smiles.
"Well, you didn't seem like you were after that at all. It's actually quite refreshing to meet a man that can hold eye contact for a prolonged period of time."

My cheeks flare up.
"Ah. Well, I have no desire for that. Haven't had in a long, long time, really."

"My my, how interesting."

I glance around, suddenly aware of something. Even though I have not had much contact with the red-light sector in my galaxy, I know that most 'workers' there actually didn't do those jobs out of their own will. Most were either directly forced or 'convinced' otherwise.
I lean in closer and lower my voice.
"Are you doing this work by your own choice, or is that choice made for you?"

She blinks.
"Are... are you worried about me?"

I nod.
"Where I'm from, most people in your line of work are either slaves or otherwise… 'convinced' to do a job like that."

She smiles softly.
"That's really sweet of you, but I assure you that no one is forcing me to do this."

Then, her smile turns a bit more sultry.
"I love my job. It's rather… exciting."

I lean back, being a bit flustered.
"I see. That's a relief."

Well, I guess that there are people like that, too. And besides, for all similarities, Terra is still a different world with different societies. At least at the first glance, this Havengarde doesn't seem as corrupt as my galaxy. Perhaps it is pompous of me to assume that everyone needs help…
But even so, they just might need to be protected. I know that especially women in this line of work are often targets of violence. Even if it's more peaceful here, that may still be the case. If only she could contact me... My holocom doesn't work, so that's out. Telepathy? Could work, but she'd need a way to open the connection from her side. Maybe I could give her an object infused with my power, so she could call for me in times of need. But alas, I have nothing on me I could give away…
Then I just have to make one.
"Okay, but if you ever find yourself in danger, then use this."

She raises a delicate eyebrow.
"Use what?"

I have already closed my eyes in concentration and hold an open palm outward to her. I try to imagine something that would both remind her of this conversation and would be something she could wear. Something personal.
I smirk as an idea crosses my mind.
A small rose carved out of a red gem starts to form in my hand, attached to a golden necklace.
I open my eyes and smile friendly at her.
"Here."

Her eyes are wide and she speaks in astonishment.
"Wha- Wh- How? How did you do that?"

I smirk.
"I'm a sorcerer, and that is one of my many abilities."

Then, I return my expression to a more serious one.
"This necklace is infused with my power. If you ever find yourself in trouble of any kind, do not hesitate to call for me."

I hold the item out to her.

She takes turns to stare between me and the gem.
"Is it for me? Is that really okay?"

I nod.
"Yes. Or is it no good?"

"No, not at all! It's wonderful..."
She takes the necklace in wonder.

With a smooth motion, she puts it on.
She smiles at me, genuinely.
"It's beautiful, thank you very much."

Then, she licks her lips as her smile turns sultry.
"May I show you my gratitude?"

I blush and lift a hand.
"T-thank you for the offer, but there is no need for that."

She pouts for only a single moment, before seemingly remembering something.
"Oh, right! You said you were looking for help with something, right? What is it?"

"Well, I'm searching for a way to Embermyst."

Her face falls.
"Embermyst is just a myth, it doesn't exist."

I shrug.
"Well, someone I'm searching for was looking for it, and I believe he may have found it."

She smiles apolegetic.
"Well, if that's the case, I hope you'll find the way. Unfortunately, I can't help you with that."

I nod in understanding.
"It's alright. It doesn't matter much. I'm sure it'll work out."

I raise to a stand.
"Besides, we had a pleasant chat, so I thank you for your time. I won't keep you away from your work any longer."

"Ah, it's fine. I believe I got compensated for my time more than enough."
She smiles down at herself as she pats the necklace.

She looks up again.
"I thank you again for this. I will hold it in honours, Xerath Kallig."

I nod in gratitude.
"That is all I can ask. Farewell, Monica Collins."

She smiles as I depart.

Now then, even though that was nice, it was ultimately unhelpful. Maybe I can still find a lead?

Hm, the loner types usually travel the world, don't they?
I approach the man sitting alone in the far corner of the inn. His head is down as he nurses a tankard. Once I get close, I recognise him.
I smile slightly.
"Ah. Hello there, Zack."

Zack looks up, mildly surprised.
"Hey."

"You finished your business here?"

He nods.
"Yeah, you?"

"Well, in a way. I got some answers, but a whole lot of new questions as well. At the very least I now know my next destination."

"Which is?"

"Embermyst."

He raises an eyebrow.
"Really? They're making you look for that?"

"Well, more like the professor who could help me went off in search for it. So, yeah, that's where I'll have to go as well. But I assume that means you don't know where it is, either, huh?"

"Nope. I doubt anyone does. It was probably just destroyed along with the others."

"Destroyed? You mean in the war with VOID?"

"Nope, way earlier. Embermyst isn't a lost city because it fell off the map thirty years ago."

"Ah, yes. Makes sense. Most people I've met so far disregard it as a myth."

"Most think that the hidden city was levelled during the Tyrannic Wars. It's most likely that it was destroyed by the Empire."

"I see..."
I shrug.
"Well, even if only ruins exist today, I'm sure I can find it. I am somewhat of an expert in finding lost places. More often than not I stumbled upon them, but eh. Archaeology is archaeology."

"I suppose. Well, good luck with that."

I smile.
"Thanks. And you as well with your future endeavours. It was nice seeing you."

He grunts.
"Good day."

With a final nod, I leave him to himself, returning to the table I secured earlier.
I wonder how Leanna is doing...

Soon, she comes back to the table. Judging from her cute pout, she had about as much success as I did.
"Any luck?"

I smile.
"Well, I met some very interesting and nice people - including Zack - but none that would know the way to Embermyst. And you?"

"I talked with them, and a few others from elsewhere. No one knows anything, as expected."

"Well, that's not really a problem, so no need to look that dejected."
I offer her a warm smile.

"Isn't it?"

"Well, I am rather confident in my abilities to find something myself. I'd just need a map of Havengarde and or Esaria. Also, I believe that this Amelia will approach us once she spots us."

"Huh?"

I smile amusedly.
"What about my two statements surprises you?"

"What is Amelia doing?"

"She's on her way to this inn. I assume in search for us."

"Weird."

"You think so?"

"Yes. Why would she want to talk with us?"

"Have you already forgotten that she wanted to come with us? Did you not notice her determination? To be honest, I expected her to come to us like this."
I smile.
"I've seen it in her eyes."

"I... didn't expect her to break rules."

"Well, I'm sure she has her reasons. Reasons we can ask her about once she arrives."

"Well, since we're waiting, how are you feeling?"

"A bit hungry. But otherwise, I'm feeling pretty well, I'd say."

"It's a good thing I ordered a nice, big dinner then."

I smile.
"It is indeed. I didn't have to burn through that much energy today, but still, my body has a rather high base upkeep."

"I'm happy to help with that."

"I know you are."

She smiles at me.

I have to quickly change the topic, or I'll get lost in her eyes again.
"But say, you mentioned that these dwarves generally dislike magic, right?"

"Yes, that's accurate. They do appreciate human magic more than elven or grot magic, though - ours is more predictable."

"Then how comes there's a dwarf with both innate magical abilities and a Ylmiran Spear?"

"It is technically possible for less magical species to learn it, I think. Dwarves just don't like it much, and no dwarves teach it. Additionally, Adamantine really gets in the way."

"I see... Well, at least they're a very colourful bunch."

"As for the Ymiran Spear... I imagine it has its reasons to travel with this dwarf."

"Probably."
I shrug.
"Hm, I might ask him about it if I meet them again."

There is silence as we wait for something to happen.
So I go back to smile at her.
"Have you met someone interesting as well?"

"The two travellers were interesting. They had their hypotheses, but nothing solid."

"I see. Well, it was similar to the group with the dwarf as well. He guessed that the city would be underground."

"Maybe. I don't think so, though."

"Why not?"

"Because we're talking about a place built in antiquity. Before the discovery of light crystals, no one would want to build a city underground."

"Well, I suppose that makes sense. At any rate, a map of these lands would be nice. I can scan the terrain just fine, spot cities and such, but without knowing what is what that won't really help me."

"Alright, I'll get you one tomorrow."

I smile.
"Thank you. And with that, I'm sure we could find Embermyst on our own."

"I hope so."

Another voice breaks in, trying to be monotone and softspoken.
"Excuse me."

I turn to her with a smile.
"Ah. Greetings. Amelia, was it? Glad you could make it."

I gesture to a seat.
"Please, take a seat."

She cocks her head.
"Were you expecting me, then?"

Leanna smiles her way.
"Come, Amelia. You came to say something: what is it?"

She nods and sits.
"I wish to accompany you on your journey."

"Yeah, pretty much what I figured. As for your earlier question, yes, I expected you to seek us out. I noticed the determination in your gaze earlier. This is something very important to you, right? Something you would disregard the professors' orders over? I cannot help but wonder... why?"

"Why I seek this is irrelevant. I can only promise that my joining you will be worthwhile. For the both of us."

"You know the way to Embermyst, then, I take it?"

"I know at least the path the professor would have taken."

"And that is our goal, after all. But how? The documents we were given of him were... incomplete."

"I was able to discover the complete documents. They were buried deep in the disorganized parts of the archive, and I originally took them out for the purposes of studying his work, but they will serve us well here."

"I see. Well, if I were anyone else, you'd have quite the strong base for negotiations."
I look over to Leanna.
"What is your opinion on this?"

"It's Academy property, and I need it for a mission. Am I wrong in saying I can requisition it from you?"
Leanna tests the waters.

"You are not. However, can you read the notes?"

"Now that she mentions it, you did say earlier that they were rather difficult to read, right?"

"With practice, maybe. But you're saying you already know how, right?"

"I am. Is this valuable to you?"

"Yes..."
She looks at me.
"What do you think?"

"Well, I am perfectly confident in my ability to find the way on my own. However, it is clear that she wants this very much, even if she doesn't want to tell us why. I wouldn't mind having her with us. And it would be a nice change of things if I didn't have to do everything by myself. You said I deserved a vacation, right?"

She nods.
"Still, this is something the Academy specifically said no to..."

"So, that is why I asked about your opinion. She currently acts against direct orders, which is something I guess doesn't sit well with you."

She looks at Amelia.
"Are you interested in this academically?"

"Absolutely. Following in the professor's footsteps will be an excellent test of my capabilities."

She sighs, seemingly weighing out the consequences of this action.
"Alright, Amelia. We'll help you."

Her stoic face becomes a bit brighter. Leanna frowns, though.
"We should get some extra protection, though."

"That is acceptable."

"I'll see if I can find some mages on short notice-"

"No!"

I arc a brow at Amelia's outburst.
"Any mage we reach out to would most likely alert the Academy. Is that correct?"

She nods.
"We need another way."

I smile.
"While I am confident in my ability to protect both of you, I know just the man."

Leanna smiles.
"I think I know who you mean."

I nod and stand up.
"Precisely. Come on, let's go over."
I hold out a hand to Leanna.

She stands up, using my hand as a convenience. I may not ever get used to the way her skin feels against mine. Even if I wear gloves, and she does as well, the feeling is enough to slightly tint my cheeks.
We walk over to Zack, Leanna barely noticing the effect she has on me as usual.
He looks up at me.
"Back already?"

I crack a smile.
"We were feeling a bit of separation anxiety."

"Heh."
He smiles slightly.

Leanna nods.
"We're actually here to do business."

Zack straightens.
"I'm listening."

"This is Amelia Estelle. She will be joining us on the next leg of our journey. As she is a student mage-"

"Actually, as I have proven several times to my instructors,-"

"Amelia, please. I was talking."
She smiles at her.
"I'd love to hear about your achievements, just not right now."

Amelia pauses and nods.
Leanna then smiles again and continues.
"So, according to academy records, she is a student. And students typically need a little extra to make sure they don't run afoul of anything they can't deal with. You seem capable enough, so I think you are a good fit. What's your rate?"

Zack says a number, Leanna counters, and they go on, eventually settling on Zack's actual rate.
They shake hands.
"Thank you, Zack. We will be departing tomorrow morning for... where, Amelia?"

"We will be taking the crystalrail to Bazada."

Zack nods.
"I'll be here."

We disperse. Zack returns to his drink in the corner, Amelia to the Academy to avoid detection, and Leanna and I to our meals soon to arrive.

"Well, that was something."

"It was."
She smiles at me.
"And I'm sure this will be fun. I hope I did the right thing, though..."

I wear a contemplative expression.
"Well, on one hand, I'm happy to travel with Zack again, and Amelia seems like a nice girl, too. But on the other hand, I'm no longer travelling alone with you..."

I blink.
"But you worry that we go against the Academy's orders, aren't you?"

"Yes. I'm wondering whether helping Amelia was good for her or not... she seemed very frustrated, but... I don't know why."

"Now, this is only a feeling I got, but... I think this wasn't the first time she asked for such a... field study, was it?"

"Perhaps not..."

"She mentioned she needed it to finish her curriculum. So she might feel like the Academy is holding her back."

"Maybe... we'll need to ask her, when she's ready to tell us."

I nod.
"Yes."

I look down.
"I hope I can earn her trust. Zack's too."

Our dinner arrives. It is far more expansive than the last two times - probably because this is an inn in a larger city with larger facilities. Bread, soup, noodles, and much more make up a full dinner - and it's on one platter, so we're meant to share.

"Huh. You didn't joke when you said you ordered a nice, large dinner."

"Figured you'd like it."

I thank the waiter who brought it out. Leanna does as well, giving him a tip.
The two of us then dig in with relish - I because I have to, Leanna seemingly because she enjoys eating.
I mentally shrug. I have met many people that enjoy eating. It remains somewhat of an outlandish concept for me.

As we eat, several people enter the inn, wearing flowers on their heads and laughing merrily. Leanna looks up in surprise.
"Oh, I forgot! The festival!"

I blink.
"'Festival'?"

"Yes, today is the summer solstice."

"Ah, I see. Soo... this is like a holiday or something?"

"Yes. There will be dancing, food, games... all until midnight."
She smiles at me.
"I always love it when I have the time - would you like to join me?"

"Dancing, huh?"
I rub my chin.
"It's been quite a while since I last did that."

I then tilt my head to look at her with a loving smile.
"You ask me to go out with you and spend more time together? Of course I would love to!"

She smiles brightly.
"Great! Let's just finish up here, and I'll need to get dressed properly for something like this. I'd request you do the same, but you don't have to - but... outlandish costumes aren't the most uncommon thing during the Summer Festival."

My face lights up.
"I could wear my original robe? Well, in that case, I'll gladly change after our dinner here."

"You could. I will need to leave for a bit to get what I intend to wear, though."

"Oh? May I ask where you need to go? I could get you there faster, if you want."

"My apartment. It's not far. I'm only staying in the inn to remain close by for you."

I blink.
"Your..."

Then, I blush. Deeply.
"...You... ...but... you..."

I take a deep breath.
"...you wouldn't need to, though..."

"Maybe I don't. But given your reaction, you are not ready to be in my house, and I want to make sure you're never far from any help you might need."

I shrink back into my seat.
"...thank you..."

She puts a hand on my shoulder.
"We'll save it for later, okay? For when we're both more ready."

I nod.
"Yes. And... thank you... for always being so considerate."

"No problem, Xerath."
She beams at me.
"And fair warning - I'm going to be back wearing a dress. So prepare yourself."

She gives my shoulder a light squeeze, and disappears out the inn door.

I blink.
"A... dress?"

But she is already gone.

"Like... something those noble ladies on Alderaan wore?"
I mumble to myself.
Then, I shrug and head up to the room she gave me the key for.
The room is slightly more expansive than the last ones - and also contains two beds. On a bedside table, there is a light crystal lamp.

I take a deep breath, already blushing just imagining sharing this room later with Leanna. I lightly pat my cheeks.
"Alright, get a grip Xerath. Just change."

I then do exactly that. Closing the door behind me, I quickly change into my original robe. I consider going out in my Emperor's Mantle, but quickly decide against it. That would be overkill.
While I quite like the robes Leanna got me from the two tailors, I just feel better in my nanofibre robe. It's just more protective. More familiar. It feels like a second skin, almost.
Then, I wonder how to impress the goddess... perhaps there are other things I could do? Would she appreciate something extra?
I ponder that... and quickly find that I have no idea what I could even do.
How irritating. I have solved so many complex problems, and yet cannot easily figure this out. But I suppose it is to be expected. I may not have any knowledge on this subject, but I am sure that Leanna appreciates me as I am. I have the feeling that even if I knew what something extra I could do, she wouldn't necessarily appreciate it.
Thus, it doesn't take me long to change the robes. I sigh in relief that I can wear my trusty robes again, if only for tonight.
I step back out of the room with a confident smirk, lock the room, and head back down to wait for Leanna.
Every time the door opens, I jump. I feel... nervous. What will she look like?
I close my eyes and try to calm myself. No doubt she will be beautiful beyond comparison - just like she already is.
However, I have no need to be nervous, do I? She thinks I am good looking, too. As hard to believe as that is to me, I find solace in it. So, at least to her, I won't stick out like a sore thumb against the goddess she is.

Eventually, she arrives.
Her dress is simple - a pleated, bright white silk gown. Her hair, once set to fall down her back, is now set to flow down her side by a clasp, over her shoulder and in front of her. Through the clasp, there is a white feather. But even though her dress is simple and modest, it cannot hide nor restrain her beauty like her armour does. She fills out the dress exceptionally well.

My response to seeing her is immediate. My cheeks flare up and my breath hitches as my mouth falls open. After a moment, I split into a huge dreamy smile.
"Woah... Y-you look a-absolutely stunning, Leanna."

She blinks, brushing a hand through her hair, playing with her golden strands.
"Do I? I went with something simple - didn't want to take too long."

I take a breath to fully find my voice again.
"Well... I also think you look beautiful in your armour and all. But now... even more so. I may not know much about fashion... but this dress suits you well, I think."

She smiles.
"Thank you."

She gestures to the door.
"Shall we?"

I blink.
"Ah, yes. Yes, of course."

I step next to her. She already began to walk out, and I get an eyeful of the way the dress moves over her body - the dress is so innocent, but it cannot restrain beauty like hers so much as promise exponentially more underneath. She really has lots of curves in all the right places.
I blush again. As I step up next to her, I shake my head and laugh slightly to myself.

She glances curiously at me.
"What is it?"

"I didn't think it was possible, but here I am, nervous and flustered, and calm simultaneously."

She arcs a delicate brow.
"Why is that?"

"Well, flustered because of how gorgeous you are, nervous because of the very same reason, and calm because of your presence."

She blushes herself.
"Ah."

I smile at her.
"No matter what, you seem to have a very grounding effect on me."

"Well, that's good for someone who's had trouble his whole life."

"I'd say. It's a very pleasant sensation."

"Do you have any other requests?"

I blink.
"Huh?"

"I can't be expected to think of everything you want that I'm willing to give you. Would anything else help you feel 'grounded'?"

I look blankly at her.
"Huh. I honestly have no idea. I mean, there are some things I have in mind, but I don't know if they'll help me feeling calm, or instead make me more nervous and flustered."

"We won't know until we try."

"Hm, fair enough."
I blush a bit.
"Alright, then, if you're fine with it..."

I shyly hold my arm out for her, so she could link in.
She does so happily, her warm appendage snaking lithely through the gap and locking in.
I smile happily, but my blush doesn't falter.
"Soo... uhm... what do we do next?"

"We go to one of the parks. That's where festivities are happening."

Above the city, the starry night sky gleams brightly, a Violet Road peeling across. The city is lit with crystals in every colour, turning the already bright city iridescent. Leanna's eyes sparkle from the colour.
We walk through the city, past elegant buildings that reach deep into the earth, and the crowd slowly builds.

I look around in wonder, my gaze always sneaking back to Leanna, before glancing at something else again. All the while, a soft red tinges my cheeks.
"It's beautiful..."

She smiles, glittering under starlight and rainbow civilization.
"It is."

"I think I'm in love..."

"With the city?"

"With everything here, to be honest. You, the city, the nature... Everything here is just so incredibly wonderful..."

"Aren't there other planets like this, where your 'Force' concentrates?"

"Yes. But not in the same way. There are some quite beautiful places I visited, but even then... Terra is something else entirely."

"I'm glad you think so."
She smiles.
"I'm also glad you're so vocal about what you like."

I blink.
"Huh? How so?"

"It makes my job easier. Making you happy makes sense when you keep telling me how to happy-ify you."

I chuckle.
"Hehe, I suppose."

Then, my face falls as I once more over-analyse her words.
"...'your job', huh...?"

She rolls her eyes.
"I"m self-employed, here."

I perk back up.
"Alright. Anyways, yeah... It's... rather liberating to just freely say what's on my mind, I just... think you care, you know? I have the feeling that you genuinely care about what I have to say, about what I like and dislike. So I like to share those things with you. It's... nothing I'm familiar with, so I constantly worry if I get on your nerves like that... I really hope I'm not..."

"Let me tell you a secret, Xerath."
She leans a bit closer to my ear.
"You're right. I do care."

I blush at her proximity, a positive shiver runs down my spine as her hot breath tingles my ear.

She smiles at me.
"And you deserve it. You deserve so much care."

I return her smile.
"I still find that hard to believe, but am glad that you think so, at least."

We enter the park, and once again the sights get better. My eyes widen slightly.
Like the rest of the city, this place of green is filled with light, and many glass platforms have been moved up for people to walk along, ensuring that the grass will be stable tomorrow. Music surrounds the area, and the most common activity is dancing.
I gaze around in wonder. I have only once before seen such beautiful architecture built so high - on Zakuul.

Leanna smiles outward at the scene.
"It's amazing, isn't it?"

I tear my gaze from the park and towards her.
"It certainly is."

She smiles at me, and I can see her foot slowly tapping to the beat.
"Would you like to dance?"

I blush.
"Well, I would certainly love to..."

I'm glad I learned to dance for that one Sith party I had to attend with Zash after I killed Darth Skotia.
I then glance around.
"Though I have never danced like this before."

"That's no problem. I can show you. Though how do you dance, normally?"

"Well, I would need a partner..."

She stands in front of me, expectantly.
I hold out a hand for her, which she takes without hesitation.
I spin her into my arms and then flash her a charming smile as I gently dip her.
She blushes, but aids in the motions as she can.
I smile warmly as I bring her back up.
"And... well, that's about as much as I know. It's a generally close way of dancing together. I never got around to learn that much about dancing, but I did enjoy learning what little I know."

She laughs a little.
"Yes, well, we do it a little differently here. Come on."

She guides me to a more empty area of the park.
"Some of what you learned will apply, but some will not."

I nod.
"Isn't that the rule with this world?"

She smiles.
"Perhaps. So, to start, we'll pair our hands again - your left and my right."

I reach my hand out to her.
"Like this?"

She nods, intertwining her now-ungloved hand in mine.
I immediately blush at the contact. Her hand is so dainty, her fingers so delicate...

"And then, I place my other hand on your shoulder."
She does that.
"And you put your free hand on my waist."

"Y-your w-waist? Is t-that really o-okay?"

She nods.
"It's part of the dance. Do you not want to?"

"Of course I want to!"
I clear my throat.
"Ahem. I meant, I would be thrilled..."

I sigh.
"...sorry..."

She smiles, and rubs my shoulder a bit.
"It's alright, Xerath. I understand what's happening to you, you don't need to apologize. I only want to make sure. And yes - in this circumstance, both convention and I find this entirely appropriate."

I take a deep breath and arch a brow at her.
"You understand what's happening to me? Would you mind telling me, then? Because I do not."

She turns a bit more red.
"Well, some of what I'm working from is just what you've told me, so there is that... but your embarrassment and frequent requests for clarification mean that you're trying to protect me from something - something you might not even understand the meaning of. You've made multiple efforts to 'protect my decency'. Do you understand the core reason why that would be done?"

"I... uhm... not quite, to be honest. I just... want to stay respectful towards you. Based on some things you told me and I noticed on your reactions... there were assumingly some times where you were not properly... respected..."

She smiles sadly.
"...yes, that is right. Your restraint is appreciated, Xerath, but like with your love, I do still keep track of the way it hurts you - it will help me gauge how I might help if I was ready to. The problem you have is separate, but linked, and people running free with it without regard to the consequences is one of the problems I've had to... deal with. However, like love and so many other things, it is not evil, and you should not be ashamed for feeling it."

She smiles through her embarrassment.
"Do you at least know its name?"

I ponder for a moment, but eventually shake my head.
"...Attraction, perhaps? I'm not sure..."

"Not quite. There are many types of attraction - romantic and aesthetic each being individuals. This is another of those attractions."

I tilt my head.

"Its name is... sexual attraction, or lust."

"Ah."

She is blushing up a storm - but has decided I need to know this.
"It is a desire to feel, one of the primal parts of affection. At its core is the reproductive urge. And that you have been struggling with it so... means that is what you want from me - among other things."

I steadily grow more red as well, radiating heat like a generator on Hoth.
"Yes, I know what it is theoretically. But I've never... never experienced it... so I couldn't quite identify it..."

"Well, that's good - just take what you already know and compare it to what you've been feeling and behaving. As I understand it, you're very bright. You can figure some things out."

"Well... I... I never felt this way... so I thought that I wasn't capable of it... or something..."
I sigh.
"But as with so many things, that changed when I met you."

"Some people aren't, really, or aren't under most conditions. It could be because you repressed it, or it could be because you mostly wouldn't consider it anyway, or some combination, or even something completely different from most human experience. You are fairly alien on the inside - maybe that has something to do with it?"

I shrug.
"Who knows, really? It could certainly be that my mutation messed with my... uhm... sex drive... All I know is that I never really felt like this before. I never had thoughts like this. Or... at least not as intensive as I have them now..."

"Do we know anything about colicoid reproductive habits?"

"They're insectoids. If they're known for something, it's for their ruthlessness, their genius, and their fast rate of reproduction. As in, really fast."

"I see. And... how would that manifest? There are a number of ways a society could form under such a pressure - or for the pressure to form."

"Actually... I'm not too sure. Data on their society is rather limited. They're quite isolationistic and generally don't tolerate outsiders. I only know that they have some kind of brood mothers or queens, or something. Though they're not quite a hive mind."

"I don't think that quite answered my question, Xerath. Do you know anything else?"

"Well, if that didn't answer your question, I'm not sure if I know what you're getting at."

"I asked how the reproductive pressure on them manifests. How does the way they act as individuals and a group change as a result of... this?"

"Again, I have no idea. My contact with their species was... rather limited."

"Unfortunate. It would help if we knew more about what you could expect."

"From what limited I do know, is that there are several males around one female. But on how they interact..."
I shrug again.
"No clue."

She blinks.
"I see. Interesting..."

"Whenever I saw them, I was rather busy with not getting eaten, so I couldn't quite focus on studying their social behaviour."

"Well... our only source of information is you, then. Can you describe how you feel? Do you... want to?"

Still we stand, close, but not excessively so.
I blush more again.
"...last time this came up, you said you didn't want the details..."

Her expression is soft and gentle.
"And now I am concerned for your mental well-being."

I sigh.

"You still don't have to tell me, but it might help if we can work together."

Then, I glance around.
"Are you sure... this is the right place and time to talk about this? I mean, we are kind of on a... what did the others call outings like this again... a date?"

She blinks, then examines the environment.
"Ah, yes. Perhaps later."

She blushes up at me.
"So, do you feel ready to place your hand on my waist?"

I continue to blush a bit more.
"Well, with your given permission, yes."

I shyly do as instructed. Where before, I always kept my hands on her upper back when I hugged her, I now slide them lower to her waist.
She smiles brightly the whole way, reassuring me that this is okay. She is so smooth... and I can feel that as I move down she will get smoother and softer. Not as soft as I assume others I had spoken to are, but this is... she is...
Those others were not Leanna.
I burn brightly as my thoughts begin to fail me.
"O-okay... s-so w-what comes n-next?"

She gives my shoulder a squeeze, and I jump slightly.
"Alright, so-"

I register her next words in somewhat of a daze. She gives me some movement instructions, but all I can focus on is Leanna. She is so smooth and soft in my arms, her radiant smile directly in front of me. Her cerulean eyes are sparkling with mirth as we move to the music, yet her melodic laugh pleases my ears more than the musicians ever could. And her gloriously golden hair flows around, catching the colourful lights of the city in a halo, and catching me in a trance.

We come to a stand and she beams at me.
"That's great! You're getting it now!"

We now stand several feet apart.
I blink, focus returning to my eyes.
"Huh...? But... that can't be right... can it? Do we have to stay that far away from each other?"

"Yes, this is right. Normally, this would be where another person would face you after doing the same thing."

I frown slightly.
"Hmm."
I am not happy with that revelation. At all.

Leanna seems to notice that.
"Do you not want that?"

"I have to admit that I'm not exactly thrilled at the prospect of dancing with someone else... or you dancing with someone else..."
I run a hand through my hair.
"But of course, you have every right to dance with whomever you like..."

"It's alright."
She steps back up to me.
"I won't leave tonight unless you want me to."

She is soooooooooooooooooo beautiful in that dress... and so close... I can feel how warm her soul is even from this distance.

"I will never want you to leave..."
I gaze at her with that deeply loving expression, a soft blush still tinting my cheeks.

"Then we can just have our own, little dance over here for a while. How does that sound?"

"That sounds absolutely lovely. However, if you'd rather join the greater dance you are accustomed to, we can do so as well."

She steps into my arms again, moving my hands into position.
"We'll do that later. For now, we'll do what you want."

"'What I want'? That is a... dangerous way of wording it..."
I gaze deeply into her eyes.
"Unless... you mean it exactly as you have said it?"

"That we dance together, as you wanted?"

If my hands weren't practically glued to her, I'd scratch my cheek.
"Ah, yes. Yes, of course..."

She smiles knowingly.
"Other things might come at a later date, Xerath."

I blush deeply.
"I-I s-see..."

"Until then... please be patient."

I sigh.
"I'll try my best. It's just... I never was the most patient man, actually..."

"But know I am keeping track of what you want, with the hope of one day making you happier than you think is possible."

"Though I suppose I really should stop over-analysing your words and get my hopes up all the time..."
I smile at her.
"Well, you are already making me happier than I thought possible, so there's that."

"Currently, Xerath. Then you think is possible right now."

"I see. Well, I'll be looking forward to that, then."

She smiles, and we begin to sway with the beat.
"Shall we dance?"

"May I have this dance, my lady?"
I look at her with a warm gaze.

She nods.
"You may."

And with that, we begin to dance again. Now that I subconsciously know what I have to do - at least somewhat - I don't do any stupid mistakes anymore, and our dance goes rather smoothly. The temptation to wrap my arms around her now-available waist and kiss her does not go away, however. Nor does my over-focus on her entire being cease.
However, if I take pride in one thing, it is my iron will. I will not lose out to these weird, new instincts. Leanna wants me to be patient, so patient I will be. Respecting her boundaries and wishes is my highest goal.
And one thing that is certain, is that she is enjoying me. Her smile is wide and dazzling, her sway elegant and energetic, she is having fun. That is all that matters to me, then. As long as I can make her happy, I am content, giving me the energy needed to fight these newfound urges.

Eventually, it is time for us to join the greater dance. And even though Leanna is beaming at me, brimming with joy, my face falls. I glance around, observing the large festivities. The system is organized so that while people are passed around, one can return to the original partner easily.
Leanna starts ahead to join the dance, but I hesitate.
She looks back at me, notices my frown and pauses.
"Xerath? What's wrong?"

"It's..."
No, this is an important evening for her. I shouldn't ruin her fun with my selfishness. I give her a small smile, trying to mask the building discomfort I feel.
"It's nothing. If you want to join the people, then I can only encourage it."

She doesn't appear to be fooled by my smile, however.
"So you are saying you don't want to join me?"

I flinch and glance away.
"...Yes. I... don't have any interest in dancing with anyone other than you. However, this form of dance is what you came for, is it not? It is what you expected, right? Thus I shouldn't keep you from it. Even if am not thrilled at the prospect of seeing you dance with other people, either..."

"I see."
She smiles warmly.
"You are partially right, but also partially wrong."

I blink.
"What?"

"Yes, this form of dance is what I expected coming here."

I glance down.
"Exactly. That's why-"

"However, it's not the reason I came here."

I blink again, looking at her with a questioning gaze.
"It is not?"

She smiles.
"No, it's not. I came here to spend a nice evening with you, Xerath."

"I..."
I open my mouth, but words fail me at that admission.

"So, if the thought of dancing with others makes you that uncomfortable, we don't have to."

"But... you wanted this, right? It's important to you... isn't it?"

"Of course it's important to me. But you enjoying yourself is more important to me right now."

"It... it is?"

She beams at me.
"Of course it is. When you have fun, I do too."

"...Are you sure?"

"Positive. I came here to dance, and to have fun with you. So, if you prefer it, just dancing with you doesn't seem like that bad of a deal."
Her eyes dart around.
"Though should we perhaps seek out a more secluded spot? I know you are fond of privacy."

I exhale deeply.
"Alright. If you're certain-"

"I am."

"...then I'd be thrilled to continue to dance with you. As for the secluded spot, I am indeed fond of privacy. However, I don't mind to dance with you in this more... public setting. And if the need arises, I could always mask us in an illusion."

"Alright. Though..."
She puts a finger on her chin as she ponders something.
"The way we dance here is not suitable if we want to dance amongst ourselves. We'd need a new form. Would the one you showed me earlier be more applicable, Xerath?"

I nod.
"Yes, the form of dancing I learned is more suited for two persons."

Once more she regards me with her warm smile, though her cheeks tinge red.
"That's good, then. Can you teach me? I'm... not familiar with such kinds of dances."

I scratch my own warming cheeks.
"Oh. Well... I can try, at least."

She beams.
"Great! Then let's get to it!"

"A-alright, okay."

I don't know how well I can teach her when it's taking considerable focus to not just get lost in her eyes, or the feeling of her touch, but... she counts on me, so I'll try my best. She deserves nothing less.
So once more we step close together. I place my arms around her soft and smooth waist and instruct her how to place her hands. Using a considerate amount of willpower to not simply get swept away in our closeness, I lead our dance, gently swaying to the music, while I explain what to do.

Leanna's face is pressed in concentration, but she seems to be a natural, getting the steps right quite quickly.
As the minutes pass, her concentrated expression eases back into a radiant smile, her melodic laughter caressing my ears once more. And I think that my expression mirrors her, my tone just as jovial. Yet I can't be certain, for Leanna holds all my attention. How she blushes when I dip her, how she giggles happily when I spin her...
I don't think I ever had that much fun in my life than in this moment.

After minutes turn to hours, our throats grow hoarse from laughing, and our feet hurt slightly from all the dancing, we decide to call it a night. We still have things to do tomorrow, after all.
As we get ready to leave the park, we gratefully accept wreaths for our heads, handed to us by adorable little girls. Leanna accepts hers with a giggle, while I have to smile warmly as well. However, when the girls want to put it on me, I would have to... lean down. Bow. I do not bow. I rack my brain for an alternative, but Leanna seems to be able to notice my hesitation. She leans down to the girls and whispers something into their ears, and they start to giggle. The girls hand Leanna the wreath.
Holding it, she turns to me.
"Here. This is for you, Xerath."

I... I'm abashed by her gesture, and can only humbly accept it with a warm smile. Force, I love this woman.
I nod and she leans forward, placing the wreath on my head. She is soo close again... and once more do I feel the urge to just claim her lips with mine. But I mustn't. So instead, I lean in beside her ear and lower my voice.
"I love you, Leanna."

She blushes, but smiles warmly.
"...Shall we go, then?"

I nod again, and we say goodbye to the children.
As we walk out of the park, I hold my arm out for her again. She gladly takes it, pulling it nice and close to herself.
I blush at the contact, the way she pulls herself close to my arm.
"...thank you, Leanna."

I look over to her, my eyes shimmering with adoration and gratitude.
"This has been the best day of my life."

She blinks, then smiles brightly at me, her light warbling brightly from her core.

I return her smile.
"I love you. More than anything."

Before she can answer, we reach the inn again and head upstairs, and Leanna unlocks the door.
We enter the room. She smiles at me.
"Thank you for your attention, but could you look away while I put my gambeson back on?"

I blush brightly.
"Oh, yes! Of course!"
I quickly turn around, staring hard at a wall.

I hear only the quick rustling of cloth and silk, and I do my utmost best to neither let my imagination run rampant nor use my other senses to take a glance. And I'd say I do a great job at that. I wonder what method they used to build this wall? The stones look expertly cut...
Luckily, it is only a few minutes before she gives me the okay.
"Turn around, Xerath."

I do as she says. Does she notice how much influence over me she has, I wonder?
She is back in the comfortable-looking underclothes beneath plate and chain. It consists of white cloth, brown leather and a blue skirt, all with golden trims. Have I mentioned how positively stunning she is?

She gives me a hug, pulling me out of my musings.
"Thank you for coming out tonight. I had a lot of fun."

I freeze up for just a moment, before relaxing and returning the hug.
"Thank you for inviting me. I share that sentiment, and am glad that I could make you happy with my actions."

Next, her voice turns a bit more... cautious. Softer.
"So... tonight you wanted to show me something. Do you still want to?"

"Sure. I promised you, didn't I?"

"Just wanted to make sure."

"Also, since you just changed... should I, too?"

She nods.
"If you want to."

"Not really. But then I don't have to tomorrow morning. So... uhm... would you turn around, too?"

She nods.
"Of course."

She steps back and spins on her heel.
I quickly begin to change, the fabric floating around me as needed. Leanna's mere proximity to me changing is bad for my thoughts, but I make it through.
I keep a layer of clothes floating between us just in case.
Soon, I am done.
"Alright, you can turn around again."

She does.

"Alright, so... you want to see... some of my scars. Are you still sure about that?"

She nods with determination.
"Yes. Absolutely. You need to see you can trust me. You need to know you can trust someone, anyone."

"I already trust you more than anything."
I sigh.
"That doesn't change the fact I'm afraid, though."

Then I take a deep breath.
"Alright..."

"Not enough to be comfortable. I can give you that."

I take off my gloves and roll up the sleeves. What she sees is... it really is bad. There doesn't seem to be a single spot of skin that isn't heavily scarred. Most of the skin is heavily burned, with some slashes here and there.

Her jaw drops.

My gaze is drooped to the floor, afraid to look at her and see her expression. I shift uneasily on my feet.
"I... I told you..."

Soon, I feel her gentle hands cup my arm.
"...who did this to you?"

I blink and lift my gaze up searching her eyes.

Her gaze holds surprise, horror, disgust... but none of it is for me. She holds my arm with a tender, loving care, and her gaze is filled with the same.

I blush slightly, floored with her concern and care for me. I open my mouth to speak, only to close it again. This repeats a few times before I find my words again.
"It's... it's a... culmination, really. Force Lightning and various explosive devices that caused the burn damage. The occasional flamethrower was involved, too, I think. As for the slashes... monsters have sharp claws, though some were caused by a lightsaber slipping through my defences, too."

She slowly rubs the arm.
"Do you not want to heal it?"

"Only if you'd want that... in the future..."
I clear my throat.
"Ahem. But personally, ...not really. These scars are the physical representation of my life. A memento to everything I had to endure to reach the point I am at today. I've kept them so far, so that no one, neither I nor anyone else, forgets where I came from, and what I took upon me to achieve the things I did."

She runs a hand along one of the burns.
"I understand. I like it."

I blink, surprised.
"You do? You... you're the first one who has said that about my scars..."

"I do. It's an externalization of yourself, really, and you're afraid of people seeing who you really are... but I've already accepted that. Why shouldn't I accept this?"

I rub my arm.
"...because people have reacted poorly to seeing these so far, without fail... aside from you now, that is..."

I shiver.
"I mean, there was one time where I was careless and cleaned my arm in a more public space. A civilian came in, saw my arm, and ran to the toilet to throw up..."

"Xerath, I've seen a lot of injuries. I'm always horrified - but it's never at the person, it's at the blight upon them. This... these are part of you. They aren't wrong anymore, they're right."

I blink.
"They... they are...? Do you... not find me heinous now...? Appalling...?"

She gives one of the scars a kiss, and my fears slowly melt.
"You're damaged, Xerath, not a monster. You need help, not more pain."

I tremble, tears slowly forming in the corners of my eyes. I then am unable to hold back my relief, reaching out and hugging her tightly into me.
"Leanna!"

She wraps around me.
"Everything will be alright. I care about you."

She reaches up to scratch my head.
"I'll give you care, I'll give you love. Just trust me, and don't be afraid."

I lean into her touch.
"I do trust you. More than anything - even myself. But I don't think I can stop being afraid..."

"Then, I'll just have to do my best to prove you don't need to. I don't want you to be afraid around me, Xerath."

I smile.
"Neither do I."

Then, my smile turns sad.
"Well, I guess that will take a while, though... until all my fears are gone, erased..."

"I'm happy to take my time."

"That is reassuring. Though, you know... one of those fears is the fear of ultimately getting rejected by you. Another one is that I might do something you don't want me to..."
I glance down.
"This day has been an absolute roller coaster of emotions for me. I'm having thoughts I never knew I was capable of, urges I don't know where they come from... When all my instincts scream at me to just... just take hold of you... it's... difficult... to restrain myself..."

I look back up at her, determined.
"But I will manage! I won't ever do something you don't want me to."

She smiles at me, continuing to scratch my head.
"I know."

I lean into her touch.
"Krrrrrrrrkrrrrrrr..."

"You've been doing very well at that."

"Hm? At what?"
I blink at her, feeling a bit dazed.

"Restraining yourself. You've done nothing wrong, and never really threatened to."

I smile.
"I'm glad..."

I lean my head onto her shoulder.
"You are wonderful, Leanna, and I love you very much."

My voice has something... dreamily to it now.
I yawn. Yep, that explains it.

"Aww, did all that dancing and emotion tire you out?"
She smiles brightly at me.

I nod sluggishly.
"Mhm... today's been a long day..."

"Well, last chance then - you don't want a massage?"

"I mean, we've been up quite early, and now it's almost midnight... aren't you tired, too?"

"A little-"
She yawns cutely.
"Maybe a bit more than that."

I blush at both the sound and expression she just made, as well as the thought of her sitting on top of me again.
"Cute... Ahem. Then I'd suggest we both turn in for the night. I wouldn't want you to push yourself for my sake like that."

"I'm not pushing. It's not a problem."

I push her gently against the shoulder to gauge her remaining energy.
She moves smoothly and smiles.
"Even if this would take a while, I've stayed up late during long travel nights before. It's not a big deal."

I move towards my bed and plop down.
"Well, in that case, do what you like. I wouldn't want to keep you from your rest, but if you insist to give me a massage, I could hardly say no..."
I trail off into another yawn.

"Lie down, and I'll get to work. Massaging you to sleep sounds like it'll make you happy, after all."

I flop down onto the bed, face first.
"Mhm... and I doubt I have the energy left to even get embarrassed by your position... 'Though I've wondered something..."

"Hmm?"

"Have you seen..."
Yawn.
"...Ceru at all today...?"

She plants herself atop me and begins to pour her love into my tired muscles.
"No. I imagine he'll show up soon, though. He likes doing that."

"...s'posse you're right..."

"Goodnight, Xerath."

"...goodn'ght, Leanna..."

I mumble that into the pillow more than anything, but hope the sentiment comes across. I wonder if it occurs to her how deep my trust for her really goes. I often mentioned how I had to project strength to not invite attack. So for me to comfortably fall asleep with her still around, still atop of me... I hope that if she had any thoughts that all my words were just empty, fancy talk like she heard so often, those thoughts are cleared now.
She smiles down at me and continues to massage me. If ever I were to have good dreams, it would be now. But alas, it is only another dreamless night for me. A most refreshing one, but dreamless nevertheless. Under her tender care, I am soon out like a light.