The Broken Dragon Part II: Conception

[Flamjetxx]

It had been a few weeks since their first training session in the cavern. And since then Ark and Drarkia had only time to allow the infatuations to evolve into something a bit deeper; And though Ark wouldn't be capable of admitting what no man, human or near-human, would be able to admit, it regardless there as something there, and Ark couldn't say otherwise. Their past few meetings were more social gatherings between the two of them rather than training sessions, although Ark tried to keep their meetings as far from the Temple as he could manage. This time, however, they would have to meet in the Temple. It wasn't that Ark was ashamed of his relation with the Acolyte, but rather that he was unsure of how he'd be viewed.

Ark has always been seen as the emotionless Warrior that was infallible in battle; But this was a huge weakness. Weaknesses should never be revealed to even your friends. And that was why Ark required their affections be limited to privacy, for both of their sakes. Ark has seen it time and time again of an Acolyte's weaknesses being exploited by the others. It was survival of the fittest in these Temples, and that wasn't to say that they had any particular weaknesses that on their own could fall either of them, but together, the weakness was obvious.

So, Ark took a private training room in which he hoped they could remain in privacy for as long as possible. Ark knows that the inevitable was that their affections would show, but at least they could try to get as much actual training done as possible. And although the whole situation between them was well out of Ark's normal comfort zone, there was something a little more than simply being out of his comfort zone that picked at the back of Ark's mind. It was something unique to what Ark has experienced during his time as a Sith.

He could feel something a bit more, and it grew with every day. Ark simply couldn't place his paw on it. Ark pondered what it could be while awaiting Drarkia's scheduled arrival. Ark made it a habit to arrive well before scheduled meetings. That way Ark could prepare better than the rest of his peer and colleagues; With Drarkia, he could make everything perfect for her arrival. Ark always seemed worried about what she thought of him, and he suspected that Drarkia was picking up on the fact that Ark was early for everything.

Finally, he sensed her coming, and Ark prepared himself for her to enter the room, picking himself up and straightening his spine. His eyes were fixed on the doorway of the training room, where he was prepared to lock it after her the moment she walked into the door.

 

[Zian]

She was a bit on the irritated side for the past few days, she had been feeling a little under the weather and it angered her. She had the urge to dig more and she didn't know why. Drarkia fought this urge with her strength, the thought of dirt in her paws was enough to stop this urge. The weeks had past since they had really met for training other times had been much more pleasant. Even with the prospect of seeing him for training today, her anger hadn't left her today. She was just irritated, her slumber had been uncomfortable for the last day or so, she found foods she one loved repulsed her, and she was sore almost every where. 'It's not going to be a good day.' She thought as she made her way to the room he wanted her to go to. When she got there she went in and the door shut. He was there waiting for her.
His fur still looked beautiful, but her anger had her today. Drarkia's eyes told him that she was angry as did her stance. It was clear display of irritation and anger. She moved from the door towards him. 'Lets get today over with.' She thought. She really wasn't in the mood for much today.

 

[Flamjetxx]

And there it was again. It was buried underneath an avalanche of tormented emotions that suggested discomfort and aggravation. It actually caused Ark to hesitate before greeting her. Her response to being there seemed as if she were forced, and yet they'd met up similarly on many occasions, but with much happier reactions.

Ark steps closer to her as he intended to embrace her as he would do ordinarily, "Drarkia. You are irritated. Is it because of the secrecy of our relationsh..." Ark cut himself off upon feeling it.

With the step closer to her, it became obvious to him. A powerful Force sensitive could feel the life within her as even if she was a more powerful Forceful, she may have missed the very gradual change within her. Ark's approach, initially hasty from the period of time they were forced apart, slowed to the most cautious display. With one paw reaching out, Ark placed his paw precariously upon her stomach, and without warning. And upon touch, he could instantly feel deeper within her and into her womb.

The tiny heart beats fluttered recklessly within the life blooming inside of her. With his eyelids forced closed, he placed his other paw upon her neck and chin to channel exactly what he felt within her. The beauty of Life, fresh, animated, and growing. It embodied the emotions between them on their first day together, and it showed the power of their genetics. It was surprisingly large already, and it caught Ark by surprise already twice in a single day.

Taking the risk of stating the obvious, Ark knew it needed to be said to pull them both into the reality of the situation, "You are with child..." Ark corrects himself quickly, "We... are with child."

Ark had no idea how to be a father. His experiences from father to son were a brief period within his lifetime, and he hesitated to even believe he could draw upon the ability to become a father, mentor, role model to anyone he actually cared for beyond their successes. Ark suddenly became aware of his own mortality. What would it mean if he died tomorrow? How would his son/daughter be affected by not having a father? Would he/she become emotionally stunted as Ark is? Would he/she delve into his light saber practices and Force studies as Ark has? Would he/she resent everything Ark stood for, for dying before becoming a father to him/her?

All so suddenly, Ark felt fear. It was something that Ark didn't have time for, nor a need for. He had no reason to fear death. He's stared Sith Lords in the face with a willingness to fight them to his death. He's fought Rancors with his bare hands. He's fought off Jedi after Jedi that intended to kill him. He stared hordes of undead in their lifeless eyes as he slaughtered them by the hundreds. And suddenly, having a child within his name frightened him.

Ark could not yet sense the sex of the child nor the basic physical appearance, but he could feel that it was alive and healthy within its mother, and it caused Ark's left eye to water ever so slightly, but with a single blink, it was gone and Ark was back into reality. Immediately, Ark knew that the Sith shouldn't yet know of the child. And for the first time in his life, Ark didn't have an exact plan at his fingertips.

Ark wanted to tell her that he needed to hide her away from the Ziost and Korriban temples. However, Ark didn't have the heart to tell her something like that in such an emotional situation. It also meant that Ark would have to disappear for an extended period of time with her. At least they had some time to make their disappearance before Drarkia even began to show in her pregnancy. Instead, Ark decided he'd wait to tell her.

"How do you feel Drarkia," Ark asked, although he figured that he already knew part of the answer to the question. What he really wanted to know was what she was thinking about the child she had within her. She probably didn't even know she had something this big going on until Ark said it, and it was likely a lot to take in all at once. It was merely by a miracle of the Force that Ark managed to get through it.

 

[Zian]

He began by starting a question, then however his touch on her stomach. Something about that touch calmed her a little, but it wasn't for long. When he stated that they were with child. "WHAT?!!" She exclaimed. She had seen what had happened to fighters in the pits that had gotten pregnant, their babies taken forcefully shortly after birth. Her fangs bore, she would die first before she would allow this to happen.
"They will not take me alive." She said growling. She meant it, this would not stand she wouldn't become another victim of thief. She looked at him. He seemed afraid, most likely because of enemies. Drarkia would not make herself easy for others to kill. "We train now, hard, and quickly. I will not be a helpless target to prey on." She said.

 

[Flamjetxx]

They will not take me alive. The song rung out in his head as Ark tried to remember why it was so familiar to him. Suddenly, the images of babies being ripped from their mothers' arms flashed before Ark's eyes. It was all there, and the emotion was so raw. Although, despite seeing it as if his own memory, Ark could recall exactly where he'd gotten it from. Drarkia's memories. Ark could feel the uselessness she'd felt as she sat in the cage next to the mother as the child was taken. The anger that once boiled within her then washed over Ark like a new tide, and Ark could feel the anger that boiled within her now.

And Ark could see her muscles tense beneath her short fur at the words she spoke of being able to defend herself. At least she was passionate about their child. Ark realized that he could indeed teach her to defend her child better than any Sith could defend themselves, but it wouldn't change the fact that if the Sith wanted the child, they'd be able to attain it regardless of how strong Ark nor she was. It was as good a time as any other for Ark to say it.

"We cannot let the Sith know of the child. Not until it can make its own decisions. You and I had no such choice in our lives, and that is not something I want to give our child. We will have to hide it from the Sith and anyone else we cannot trust," for Ark, that was all but a single man in the entire Sith. Everyone Ark has ever trusted is now dead; Buried in a family plot on Kashyyyk with only a monument to commemorate him by, but deserving far more than that.

Ark, only having paused for a moment, continued, "Our child cannot be influenced by our choices. We are the only ones that can protect it from having a childhood like ours."

Ark's eyes fell into contemplation of exactly what it all meant for him. Ark knew that a child with the will, genealogy, and mere capabilities of its parents would be capable of at least as much as Ark and Drarkia together could accomplish. And his resources would be as much as Ark could give the child, and then some. The mere thought of the child would bring the idea to Ark's mind that he would give up everything for it. Ark didn't know exactly what Drarkia was thinking, but Ark assumed it had something to do with how she cold protect it, not even being born yet.

"I will teach you whatever I can in order to protect our child," Ark stated simply. And there was no reason for him not to teach her everything he knew either. To use a light saber to her fullest capabilities, to wield the Force as a powerful weapon, and to even use her mind to manipulate her enemies.

With the Force, Ark flung a training saber at her at an incredible speed. During their past few training sessions, Ark had been bolder in testing her reflexes. And at the rate Ark flung the light saber at her, it was faster than any normal sentient would be capable of snatching in mid air. It would be her draw on the Force that would allow her to grab the weapon from in mid air. And assuming the gradual testing of her reflexes proved successful, Ark would ignite his own light saber, turn down the power levels once again, and raise it in front of him. They still had a lot of information to get through in their D'jem So training. At best, she had gotten down the most basic of moves and stances from the form. The rest of their time in normal training sessions were otherwise preoccupied.

 

[Zian]

She could see that he knew that he could provide resources for their child, such resources could provide their child a better childhood at least. "We will have to figure out where to birth them." She said as she caught the blade. Catching weapons was not something new, they had often been tossed weapons in the arena and one learned to catch them or pay the price. Drarkia ignited the blade and came at him, she had to learn the offense of this stance. She knew she probably wasn't doing it right, but she needed to pick up where they had left off the last time.
She ignored the stiff muscles, lack of sleep, and her empty stomach. It was best this way, her anger drove her now, she knew she would need it to survive and keep their child safe.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Indeed, the child wouldn't be able to be born on Ziost nor Coruscant. However, Ark did have a place in mind. Ark had grown up, lived the first part of his life on, and grown to trust his plot of land on Kashyyyk. It would be an ideal place to live. Ark fully trusted the Wookies he's spent time with on Kashyyyk. If the child would be best protected anywhere, Ark would say it would be on Kashyyyk.

"I know where the child can grow up," Ark said while finalizing the idea in his head, "Kashyyyk."

The statement would sound ridiculous to her, and Ark knew it, and so Ark would allow her only enough time to hear it before he gave the reasons why. While stroking one of his decorated braids, Ark began his argument, "I grew up on Kashyyyk. It's where I got these ceremonial braids in my hair, and it's the only location I can immediately think of that I would trust our future child to live. I fully trust the Wookies on the planet, and I even have an estate there.

Ark knows he's never told her this before, but Ark had inherited an immense sum of Credits from his deceased father. In truth, Ark was very wealthy, although he never showed this. In fact, while on Kashyyyk, Ark rarely if ever visited the mansion built there, but rather stayed with the local Wookie population. And only one other Sith even knew of Ark even having land owned there, and that was his former apprentice. And that was a face that Ark hadn't even seen in a very long time. Ark was confident in his ability to protect the child best there.

Allowing time for thought to pass, Ark finally sighed as he decided to initiate her training. Today, it would be a very different kind of training. Although they've practiced for weeks, this time, her drive was pure anger. Her focus would truly be on enhancing her knowledge in light saber combat. And that was only a taste of what Ark was willing to teach her. If she were to ask Ark, he would even be willing to teach her Force Spark, Tutaminis, and even the intermediate skills of telekinesis.

With both blades raised, Ark began to explain what she was about to do, and this time, she would be focused enough to actually learn the skill in full, "The safest, but most lethal offense is that that is derived from defense. Hold your blade in the defensive position," Ark said as he anticipated her blade immediately raising into the vertical position that would split her body in two equal parts down her median.

"Good, now when I attack you, you will block my blade, but instead of leaving it as just a block, I want you to push my blade out of the way completely. That will open up my own median, and allow you to attack free form my blade. You can do this by either bouncing your blade off of mine as it approaches. You would bounce it off of my blade and into my unguarded body, or you can simply block, and at the same time arc your blade into my unprotected body as my own blade is shoved off to the side," Ark explains in depth. There was nothing that Ark was going to miss in teaching her.

In fact, there was a great many attacks that she could use in attacking Ark in such a way, but for now, he allow her to learn how to use her light saber exclusively before complicating the strategy. It was Ark's own preferred manner of attacking, because it was the safest. And though it may seem passive for such an aggressive light saber form, it was deceptively aggressive, and it was not meant so much to outright defeat an opponent as it was to gain the advantage over the opponent.

Finally, Ark swung his blade to his right and her left. The attack would come completely horizontal, and was aimed towards her shoulder. Ark would observe her execution and add tips to her performance before allowing them to continue. In the mean time, Ark was focusing the rest of his energies on raising a barrier to protect him form t he incoming light saber blade.

 

[Zian]

His mention of an estate brought back childhood memories of being a servant girl blamed for all the child's faults that she served. It infuriated her more, she did not want their child to be some spoiled brat either. "No slaves, no servants, nothing but us." She said. Drarkia didn't want them to have more than they would need to grow strong.
She held her blade up to block him as he wanted as she went to push his blade out of the way she could feel her muscle pull and hurt. She winced at the pain that drove through her. Her attempt at an attack was sloppy mainly because she hurt when doing it. She couldn't help it though the baby had made her this way and the lack of food and sleep didn't help. "Again." She said as she retracted her arm to try once more at this. Drarkia wasn't going to allow herself to be weak, not now or ever.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark smirked at the thought of any of them living in a Mansion. Throughout Ark's entire childhood, Ark spent far more time outside of it than in it. In fact, Ark hasn't been back to the Mansion more than twice since his father's death, which occurred more than a decade ago. Ark would much rather stay in the local villages with the Wookies. Not only would it be the last place anyone would look for them, but the Wookies would serve as cultural influence, protection, and as a social environment as well.

"I wouldn't want to live in that home anyway Drarkia. I was thinking more of the local Wookie villages. There are a great many things I've learned that has benefitted me since I've spent more time with the Wookies. I trust them, and they've grown to trust me as well. I doubt it would take me any great effort convincing them to let us stay with them for some time," Ark reasoned. In fact, Ark had a good idea that she would prefer the Wookies anyway. Their villages are devoid of those apes, and it would be a welcoming environment for anything that had fur covering their entire bodies. Ark could still remember the moment they first met in which Drarkia was relieved to find that Ark wasn't a human.

In fact, Ark liked the Wookies, not because they weren't human, but because of their connection to nature. They were driven by instinct as much as Ark and Drarkia were when they first met; And Ark liked the idea of his child being connected to nature in such a way. Ark's fondest memories were hunting, tracking, and basically living in the forests of Kashyyyk- Far from the Mansion or humans. There was no need for them to rely on technology, even as simple as a toaster. And if Ark's child was to grow up with a toaster, it is one more weakness that can be exploited. Ark knows full well that the Wookie peoples are some of the hardiest creatures he's ever known.

Realizing, for the first time, Drarkia's true levels of dedication, judging by her desire to perfect the simplest move, Ark's eyebrows melted in acceptance. Finally, they were in the situation that Ark wanted since day one; It wasn't the situation Ark was given, but Ark never complained about their relationship. Unfortunately, the child, though something Ark wanted desperately, would change the way they related to each other. It was scary on one paw, but on the other, Ark was satisfied with the way the Force directed them. Nothing would be perfect, and it was hardship that carved the greatest men and woment from the stones of their lives.

Ark nodded in response for her desire to try it again after her apparent failure. Her block and arc fell short, and it felt hindered, "You will need to twist with your torso for additional power and speed behind your strikes. Angle your lightsaber toward your opponent after their blade is out of the way."

Ark's warnings were brief and to the point before Ark swung his blade once more at her. However, this time, his blade would be swifter, stronger, and angled a bit, to make it a little harder for her. She understood what she needed to do. Not it was time for her to understand how it should be done; And that could only be done through variety.

 

[Zian]

She was glad at the fact he didn't want to live in the mansion. That was a little relief, but it didn't change the fact that she wouldn't rest till she was sure of the child would be safe. Again he told her what to do and came at her faster and harder. Drarkia would try to twist, but the strain would cause her to hurt to badly, she would fall. It wasn't a matter that she didn't know what to do, it was her body wasn't allowing her to do it. 'Is this what weakness feels like?' She thought. She had never felt so weak, even when she was sick she had managed to battle through it. This condition wasn't allowing her today and it made her afraid.
Drarkia feared that she wouldn't be able to protect the child like she wanted. She attempted to get back up, the pain seared through her muscles. She growled at the pain and at the child within, it wasn't going to let her do anything it seemed. 'YOU WILL NOT CONTROL ME!' She thought to herself. As if the child could read her thoughts. She pushed herself up wincing and baring her teeth at the pain and fear. She didn't want to be this weak. Again she would attempt to do as Ark instructed, once again she found pain as this time she tried to push it aside as in defiance of the child.

 

[Flamjetxx]

She was having troubles. Too many for Ark to feel confident in her current ability to defend herself with a lightsaber. Ark deactivated his lightsaber, and hung it onto his belt where he initially retrieved it from. Feeling her frustrations with the blade, Ark knew that she was likely just having troubles adjusting to the new body that is nurturing the child growing within her.

Selonians generally gave birth to litters, or so Ark thinks, and seeing that the species are designed to be able to be active while pregnant, Ark was confident that what she was feeling only required her to get used to it. All she'd need is time to adjust, but for now, she couldn't even defend herself against a training exercise designed for her to successfully strike at Ark. She knew the basics so far, but Ark wouldn't be able to teach her until then.

Ark waved his paw, and it ripped the training saber from her relatively weak grip, "You won't be able to learn in your current disposition Drarkia. However, there is more than one way to defend yourself. You greatest weapon is the Force. Until you adjust to your state of pregnancy, I'm afraid that we'll have to settle for learning the Force," Ark says holding the training saber back out to her, anticipating her to put it away for now.

Ark kneels down into his preferred position of meditation that didn't interfere with his tail. Closing his eyes, he expected Drarkia too to do as he does, "You may not be able to physically defend yourself, but you can hide yourself. Selonians, as a predatory species are capable of stealth, even when pregnant, that is naturally far superior to that of a human. With that known, you will learn to use the Force to conceal yourself, both physically, and through the Force," Ark began. If she couldn't fight, she likely was going to be less than perfect for escape; Then she was only left with hiding. And the Force offered the best methods of hiding available to her. Coupled with her innate abilities for stealth, even being pregnant would afford her to be concealed in even the most dire of circumstances.

"I want you to see your own Force signature as I see it. Look within yourself, and identify yourself," Ark begins. And as he does so, he gazes upon her through the Force to see the emotional turmoil of both her past and present. But deeper within that, he can identify a personality, her desires, and even the child. Her motherhood is arising, just as Ark's fatherhood is; However, her, birthing the child will draw upon it much faster than Ark could.

"You cannot conceal your own Force signature if you don't even know what it looks like. So then, you need to feel your own Force presence, identify it, and only then will you even be capable of hiding it," Ark states to her while meditating.


Ark carefully observes her processes, and makes certain that she doesn't get lost in her intentions. At least it wouldn't require her to physically do anything. It would only be her mental drive to achieve the learning of a new Force ability; Force Stealth and Cloak. Ark, himself, was mediocre a the ability, but he has taught it to several others, and for that, he can perform it quite well.

At the same time, Ark's thoughts drift into how she can better control her physical deficiencies that had arisen by the pregnancy. Perhaps it was her general lack of food or confidence that hurt her ability to physically perform. Maybe she was psyching herself out. Maybe her pregnancy was having issues? Either way, Ark was going to have her see someone he trusted very soon; Someone that didn't know humans, but rather other near-human species such as Wookies an Selonians. Truth is that Ark could sense the doubt that Drarkia had in the Wookies, and Ark was determined to prove to her that the Wookies could indeed protect them in multiple ways: Physically, Anonymity, and even in medical knowledge of a healthy pregnancy. Ark would have them visit Kashyyyk that night. At least then, she could get immediate attention given to her. The Wookies may seem not advanced as far as technology was concerned, but their knowledge was much more than one would expect. They simply didn't parade such technology around like other species, and they rather preferred to rely minimally on technology.

In the mean time, Ark know some stretches and poses he'd learned throughout various martial arts that could help her to relax her strained muscles. Teras Kasi poses alone would likely help her, but Ark knew of a great many more martial arts that could relieve the stresses of her adjusting body.

 

[Zian]

She didn't like it when he told her she wasn't able to learn in her position and took the blade from her only to hand it back telling her she could hide instead. Hiding it was for the weak, she growled at that prospect and bore her fangs. 'It is your fault I can't do this.' She thought. Her blame went to the child, when she knew full well it had been both of their faults. Drarkia calmed a little when he discussed her species, she knew nothing about her kind, she was ripped from them when she was young to young to know. Something got to her though. "A LITTER!" She yelled in anger it was followed by panic and real fear. 'What are we going to do with five!' She thought. Fear was overwhelming, she knew there was no way in the galaxy she would be able to protect five.
Drarkia knew he wanted her to focus, but it was very real she was panicking and afraid of this revelation. Five would be far to many to do anything with, they would be taken or killed. It was not something she wanted or wished, she would need him now more than ever. Taking the blade putting it away, she went over to him still very afraid. She'd take his paw and place it on her shoulders, she needed him to calm her. Her eyes were closed when she had taken his paw, she just needed some kind of reassurance that everything would be OK, even if it truly wouldn't.
After a little she calmed, her panic gone, her fear remained just not as strong as it had been. Then is when she began to focus on what he wanted her to do. She had to sense herself, not a task she had done before and with children in her she didn't know if she could. The thought of five frightened her again, but she had to try to do this. She needed something that her body and they would allow her to do. Drarkia began to feel this force, something she hadn't really done before. It was like moving wind with a strong pull, the best way she would describe it. After knowing what it was she attempted to start trying to figure out what she felt like.

 

[Flamjetxx]

A litter? Ark was speechless, and he could only pretend that he'd expected as much; However, Ark suspected that she'd know better. The way in which Ark was the type to mate for life, the bond he felt with her would likely allow his true emotions to slip to her, whether he wanted them to or not. It didn't matter that Ark was a Master in Teras Kasi mind protection, nor did it matter that Ark had long built walls of emotional damns to keep such emotions locked deep inside of him. The emotions would leak, because Ark subconsciously trusted her to keep them to herself, and to understand them.

Letting out a soft sight, Ark reached out his paws to hers, expecting them to join together, as Ark examined her progress very closely. Stubborn, brash, impulsive, righteous, determined, ferocious, strong-willed, and even deeply caring. Such were just a few of the traits that Ark could feel within her as she discovered herself. And though such emotions could be felt, but not seen, and although her Force Signature would not literally be orange, it was a feeling of the color that would come to mind when knowing herself. Ark saw himself and his Force signature as yellow, a growingly darker color as his taint in the dark side grew deeper and deeper.

That was how Ark could recognize himself and his own Force signature. It was how he knew exactly what he needed to hide with the Force.

"When you identify yourself, you will be able to imagine yourself... your Force signature as a color. You need to erase that color, and blot it out with something bland. You must take all the shades that make up your surrounding, and blend it up into a neutral, lifeless color that is nonexistent. You must make your identity disappear from the world, and allow the world to take over. You must disappear Drarkia," Ark instructed with his hands still placed on hers, as he made his own force signature disappear; The physical connection would allow her privy to the application of the ability, and it allowed her to see precisely how Ark's Force signature dissappeard into the room's ambiance.

 

[Zian]

She continued to attempt to find her own presence. She could feel Ark vanish, he was trying to show her how to hide her presence. Drarkia sensed around her, she sensed him, her presence however was harder to find. With the presences she assumed growing in her, that thought still didn't make her pleased. 'I don't want a litter.' She thought. She tried not to focus on it, she tried to distinguish what was hers and what wasn't. It was hard, she didn't know what she felt like, this was new for her. She sat there focused on trying to figure it out, she had to figure out for the life of her possible children.
Drarkia needed to learn this, if her body wouldn't let her learn anything else. Feeling through the force she could feel this mush of power of presences, one was hers, one..."Only one, its only one." She said in relief. There was only one child, she could feel and distinguish hers and the child's. Now she could hid her presence, and make it vanish. The child however was another story, it could still be felt if someone knew about it.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark was actually quite relieved to find there was only a single child, and though it was too early for Ark to determine the sex of the child, he could already hear its heartbeat. It was alive, and drawing energy form her. Ark could already sense the Force within the child, and its force sensitivity was imminent. No wonder Drarkia had such a difficult time identifying, let alone concealing her Force signature. It was more powerful, and it was changing with every passing second. The child was growing.

Ark let out a short breath of relief at Drarkias realization that it was indeed only a single child. A litter, though something common with feline creatures such as themselves, would have been a little to much for Ark to fathom.

Her application of drawing the Force from around her, and smothering her own Force signature was accurate, but she'd neglected the child's. She'd need to hide both of their Force signatures, "Drarkia, you must concentrate harder now. You must also cover the child's signature, though as feint as it may be, it can still be sensed, and not only would it reveal you, but it will put the child in danger. Because of how close you physically and emotionally are to the child, you should be able to do it easier than I would be able to shield your force presence with my own power," Ark explained to her. And such a thing was possible, although Ark would need to previously have an intimate knowledge of her Force signature, and be touching her at the very least.

Ark knew it was a greater effort she'd need to put forth, but it was well worth it when the time came that she'd need it.

"What sex do you think it will be?" Ark finally asked, sensing it was an appropriate time to ask her. Ark secretly hoped for a son, but it truly didn't matter, so long as the child was alive and well by the end of her pregnancy. Ark could already imagine all the things he would teach the child. Ad with his eminent promotion to Master growing nearer and nearer, Ark figured, he'd become a Master just in time for his child to be born. That way, he'd be able to roam the Galaxy freely with an excuse for his absences taken to be with his child.

 

[Zian]

She got a little frustrated he had told her to hide hers now he wanted the child's hidden as well. Though it made sense, she just wished he had said it before she started she could have left them as a blob of energy. Now they were separate. 'But at least I know what I feel like now.' She thought. Drarkia felt the child's presence as she tried to draw it under her as well. This was a little harder to do, they were two separate beings even if the child was still inside. Still there was no real struggle the child seemed very passive at the moment or still to young to fight her attempt to hide it. After she gained control over it she began to hide it much like her own.
Drarkia heard him ask what sex she thought it would be. "I don't know nor do I care." She said. She was being a little moody again, but she only cared for it's safety and nothing else mattered.

 

[Flamjetxx]

If it wasn't obvious before, it was certainly now; And in all honesty, Ark would have snapped the neck of any other Acolyte that would have snapped on him like that. Thankfully, Ark had an emotional connection with her that only allowed him to empathize for what she was going through, not that he could ever truly understand. Offering a reassuring paw to her shoulder, Ark leaned in closer as if to whisper a secret, though there was none. The question of sex wasn't one that he truly cared of the answer for, but was rather something to reach out and help her to revel in the fact that there was a child on the way rather than to think of it as an instant burden.

Of 'course, neither her nor Ark were expecting to be, nor sought, to be a parent, but it was something they'd have to embrace now that it is indeed occurring. This was the first moment for either of them to know- although Drarkia may have known subconsciously long before today -that they were indeed parents to be, and it is a very emotionally overwhelming moment for the both of them. They were certainly caught off guard by the moment, and in every last bit of honesty, they were likely initially doubting themselves and their personal abilities to be a good parent to their child. They were going off of instincts alone, and their instincts told them that they were afraid, that they needed to hide away from other predators, that they would be better off without the child dragging them down, but also that the child was a necessary part of survival, and that despite the fact that the child would without a doubt damper their training, it would be an extremely important part of surviving the both of them.

And so Ark said something that was in fact against his very instincts, but made the most sense of all. It was reassurance. It was a lie that was desperately needed to be heard by the both of them, and deep down, they both knew that parts of it wasn't true, but they'd believe it in whole, the both of them, anyway, "Drarkia, This is the best thing for both of us. It is said that there is no greater challenge than parenthood, and if we can succeed in that, then there would certainly be nothing stopping us from facing the rest of the Galaxy. It may be hard at first, but every moment we spend with that child will make us wiser and far more knowledgeable in the end, and for the better. This is the break from the Galaxy that we've searched for our entire lives; There will be no threat of a fellow Sith stabbing us in the back with a smoldering defeat, there are no slavers to hunt down an make them pay for their debts, there is no Civil War, and there is no worry about the scum that dwell in the Galaxy. This is our opportunity to settle down and enjoy ourselves and our child, and to escape the chaos that makes the Galaxy such a frightening place."

Even for a moment, Ark even fully believed his little lies that decorated the, perhaps unwanted, truth. However, regardless of what they wanted, they'd be getting the reality, and at least it would go down easier believing what Ark had only just said. And it wasn't like Drarkia wouldn't be able to continue her training, because Ark would be there the whole time to share what he already knows. Even now, Drarkia is learning from him, and to what success is already present in the fact that both Drarkia and the feint other presence had already disappeared. Coming soon, if they didn't leave the planet soon, Drarkia would have to continue the shielding presence over the child, lest there be anyone else to know the truth.

"Goo Drarkia," Ark commented, "You realize that you're going to have to continue to keep that erected until we get you off world. There is no need to allow anyone else to know about your pregnancy until we can determine exactly who is trustworthy."

Of 'course, Ark was referring, not necessarily Sith that he's performed missions with, but rather Sith, and more importantly, non Sith that he has known for the vast majority of his career as a Sith or of his life. The only people that would need to know are those that they trusted the most and those that could actually perform some sort of service to the child or its parents. Ark was already determining how he'd remove them from the Temple without alarming suspicion of Drarkia's unchecked absence. After all, there were Sith organizations specifically designed not only for keeping track of the Sith, but for recruiting young Force Sensitives before the Jedi could do so. Keeping a forceful child under the radar of the Empire, though a formidable challenge, wouldn't be impossible. For now, Drarkia would have to learn how to cloak herself under the Force.

"Now, for you physical presence Drarkia," Ark began with his paw still on her shoulder, "You will first need to see the Force as a Mirakula would," Ark explains while channeling the Force into her. The physical connection between them would be how Ark could show her how the Force flows through everything, living and not, and allows it to be connected to the visible world. It is Force sight, and like the Mirakula that taught him the ability, they could both see how the Force flowed freely into Ark and out of him as it connected him loosely to the rest of the World, as well as Drarkia all the same.

"This is how the Force connects everything to everthing else," Ark says, "What you need to do is to gather up the Force that presents itself through the physical World and make yourself literally blend in as if you were never there. You need to alter the way that you and the world around you are perceived by altering the flow of the Force through you as if you were never there. You must mimic you environment."

Of 'course, it would force her to tamper with the way the child is also perceived, but unlike the alterations to its Force signature, it would be considerably easier.

 

[Zian]

She had calmed when he spoke of leaving, leaving was something she wanted to do. 'Maybe I'll be able to sleep and eat.' She thought. Drarkia was tired and hungry, but he wanted her to do something else. "Can I have some food at least?" She asked. Granted the child had to allow her to eat. It hadn't really allowed her to eat or sleep in days.

Ooc: apologize for the short reply getting ready for vacation. Just a reminder I may not post next week due to vacation

 

[Flamjetxx]

Drarkia was distracted. It was obvious, and her progress in her training, although limited at the moment, would hinder her just a little too much. They'd have to make her comfortable before he could make any real progress with her. Ark reaches into one of the pouches on his waist and pulls out a strip of jerky. It was Katarn meat he'd hunted off of Kashyyyk, and it was drenched in a surplus of seasonings in order to preserve it for such a long period. It's age was eminent by how tough it was to chew, even for a feline like them. And although it wasn't anything to praise for taste, it would satisfy her for just long enough to finish her cloaking lesson, but Ark knew it wouldn't hold her over for much longer. They had already spent a lot of time here already, and made considerably little progress.

"Eat this," Ark says while handing it to her, "We'll finish this one lesson, and then we'll get something to eat immediately afterwards, but first thing is first."

Ark knows well that she will not always be comfortable in many situations in which she'd be forced to draw upon these powers, and it as slightly more realistic for training. However, as much as Ark could help it, he'd keep her as comfortable as possible during her pregnancy. There didn't need to be any complications in the pregnancy, and any unnecessary stresses should be avoided; However, Ark did relish the idea of exposing the fetus to the Force as much as possible. The more it would be exposed, the more comfortable it would be with the Force after birth. And that's one thing he intended for the child to know intimately. As young as Ark could manage, he'd teach the child as much about the Force as he could, even if what he taught was simply theory.

"Remember Drarkia. Allow yourself to become your environment, and the environment will conceal you," Ark explained, prompting her to attempt the ability at the very least.

And it was finally at that point that Ark realized that they needed her off the Sith planets the next possible moment available. She could never be comfortable, knowing that the child wouldn't be safe. She'd need peace, silence, opportunity to relax, before she could truly open herself up to the prospect of Force training, let alone Martial training. Ark suspected that his Teras Kasi stretches and poses would actually benefit her exponentially more than simple meditation.

Expecting that she could listen to Ark speak and attempt to cloak herself at the same time, Ark began to almost thing aloud to her, "I'm going to send a notification that I will be taking you off world to train for a few months. I did the same thing with my first apprentice, and I doubt they'd give it a second look based upon that precedence. And then we will be able to set up the life for our child."

Too many thoughts were flowing through his mind all at once to get them all out, but Ark knew that a great many of them he'd be better off keeping to himself. THe Ubiqorate he'd kind of discovered during a mission with one of the members, they were a sort of internal affairs, and they might even look into Drarkia's extended absence if anything odd were to happen. The Sith Civil War would certainly spark suspicion about their absences. Ark needed an inside man for them, and there was only a singe Sith (Still alive) that Ark could trust 100%, and his position would ensure their absence would go unnoticed. However, giving his presence, Ark suspected Drarkia wouldn't initially approve, but Ark certainly was more experience with the Sith, could pick the ones he could trust out of a crowd, and count them on a single finger, and his many years training with the Sith would prove his experiences. Funny that after such an extended period of being a Sith that Ark would only be able to trust a single Sith he'd known since his lower Ranks, and it was the only reason Ark cold even trust him today. Unfortunately, that would be in due time.

For now, Ark has another, very important issue to press to Drarkia, "I don't want our child to grow up knowing either of what we know. No slavery, and no Sith. His decisions should be completely impartial. If he chooses to be a Sith, it's because it is the most sensible reason. He shouldn't join, simply because his father was a loyal Sith," Ark explains, knowing that it was the precise reason that Ark joining the Sith, and stuck with the Sith, was per his father's request. Perhaps Ark would have been a completely different person if he were to instead join the Jedi, or to seek out the rest of his Kushari peoples. There is no way to know now though, because his life as already been set on that path.

 

[Zian]

She took the jerky and sniffed it before putting it in her mouth. Compared to everything else she attempted to eat in the last few days it didn't taste to bad, she tore it apart like she hadn't eaten in weeks. As hungry as she still felt, she knew she needed to do what he wanted. It was something like mimicking her environment from his words. Drarkia didn't know about using this power to mimic the environment around her, course she didn't know physically how to do it either. Hiding was not a part of fighting in the arena, one was always seen.
She would do her best to ignore the hunger and lack of sleep, she knew she only needed to hold this till they were off world. 'Need to protect our child.' She thought. This much was true, they just needed to get off world right now. Attempting to use this power again, she would try to blend with the environment around her as well as the child.