I Love Lamp

[Endling vas Precious]

It was quiet on Korriban. Evening light bathed her quarters in a cold, ambient hue of greys and blues. Guinevere blew a few stray hairs out of her face, brows knit in concentration, her lithe form hunched over her lightsaber. Damn thing decided it didn't want to work, hopefully the crystal wasn't damaged. When was the last time anything interesting had happened on this rock?

Gods, anything to take her mind off this horrendously boring task. She sighed, she'd get someone else to fix the thing. She'd read some texts, or focus on honing her Force Sight, oh! Or maybe play a prank on Vereor. Damn, he was dealing with the Battle of Coruscant.

She let out a groan of frustration.

Placing her saber in her drawer, she grabbed one of her texts and lay down on her bed, crossing one slender leg over the other as she delved into Fifty Shades of Jhon Cordatus.

 

[Lucid]

A glistening, black nose, tasted the myriad scents dark halls of the Sith Temple on Korriban. The powerful tang of anger, the sharp and acrid bite of fear all blended seamlessly with the cool stony scent of hatred. Weechee felt alive within these walls, almost as if he were home on Endor chasing prey through the forest. The dark passageways were twisting forest corridors, the doors openings into caves or alcoves. Somewhere down these halls, the Ewok knew, his dinner lingered.

So he hunted.

Stalking round corners, shuffling past beams of light all the while his keen nose twitching, tasting, looking for a scent that was out of place he ventured farther and farther into the Temple. Regulations meant nothing to the little creature. It did not even occurred to him that he may have ventured into areas off limits to Acolytes such as himself; his stomach ruled him then. Faster and faster he moved, every moment that didn't bring him the food that he so desired sharpened him and made him keener. It was when he rounded one final corner, in an area of the Temple he'd never seen that a new scent--many new scents--assailed his nose.

Claws skittering across the smooth stone of the floor, he turned sharply and dove into the door from which the exotic smells were coming. Little teeth barred in a feral grin he jumped into the room and bounded to where he could feel life in the far corner. It seemed relaxed, unsuspecting. An easy kill.

Chittering madly he jumped on the animal wrapped in blankets.

"TIME TO EAT!"

 

[Endling vas Precious]

Guinevere felt a shift in The Force. Something small, only a few feet, no... less than that. What the bloody hell was it? She shrugged. Probably just some Acolyte's pet. She turned the page.

Jhon's lips quivered as he caught sight of The Empress. She was a beauty like no other, her raven hair, her pallor face, those eyes brimming with hatred and passion.

"No, Jhon, we can't... What will the Emperor Say?"

She was being attacked. Suddenly, something small and furry had jumped onto her bed, claws and teeth barred.

"What the hell? Oh goddamn it, and I was just getting to the good part."

She was bleeding, the damn thing, which she discerned to be an Ewok, had scratched her leg. Thinking quickly, she constrained the flurry of teeth and claws in the blanket. Holding it away from her, she began to speak in a rather bemused voice.

"Either you calm down and explain yourself, and cease your foolishness, or I'll barbecue you. Is that understood?"

 

[Lucid]

Caught in a tangle of blankets and held in midair, it started to occur to the young Ewok that perhaps he had (literally) bitten off more than he could chew. As a general rule, imposing looking ladies did not make for a quick dinner. Feeling somewhat foolish, but still slightly on edge from the adrenaline rush of the hunt, he couldn't think of a diplomatic answer.

"But-but," he stammered while trying to claw his way out of the net of blankets, "you smelled so goooood."

As he finished, he succeeded in catching the edge of the blanket with one claw and swiftly ripped himself free...only to land hard on the ground in a tangle of teeth and claws and fur.

 

[Marf]

It was dark now, and the dim lights were now turned on throughout the halls of the Academy. Sith were meditating, Acolytes were chatting inside their chambers after a day's training. The ghosts conversed louder than ever at night. Satoryu's own ghost now sobbed quietly in the back of her mind. Fully aware the only his host could hear his misery. She was wearing her black pants, under-tunic and no shoes, leaving soft footprints of sweat on the obsidian marble floor.

Satoryu had been to see her favourite doll maker in Dreshdae that day and had acquired a new purchase. A doll of the Empress Andraste, made in celebration of the Sith victory on Coruscant. She wore a sumptuous black gown and held a pretend red flower. Sato walked slowly and aimlessly as she gently tugged at the dark brown curls of her majesty's hair.

That was when she saw the Ewok. She had never seen such a creature before and was instantly surprised. Her eyes shot open as she endeavoured to follow to follow the furry Acolyte. Clutching the doll to her chest, she quickened her steps and pursued the Ewok. The small bear turned and leapt into somebody's chambers, by the time Sato had caught up with him, it was apparent that the someone was the Assassin Crusader Lady Guinevere.

"Forgive my intrusion, Crusader Guinevere, I was following... um..."

She could see the Ewok in full now, and a huge involuntary smile appeared upon her face, preceeded by a burst of giggling. He was adorable, completely out of his element in the Sith, he'd be lucky if the Tuk'ata didn't gobble him up!

 

[Lucid]

Weechee hauled himself up from the ground, brushed himself off and tried to look as dignified as possible. It was starting to dawn on him that what he had thought was an unsuspecting meal was actually a High Lady of the Sith Order. The mundane binds of rules and regulations started to come back in a rush and the little Ewok was beginning wonder if he was going to be eaten as punishment. It would be fitting, of course. Muttering dire things under his breath at the imposing lady, he was disrupted suddenly by a high pitched sound.

Giggling. Someone, was giggling at him.

Embarrassed and ashamed, reflex kicked in and the little Ewok tried to flee, but the door was blocked and the window behind the scary lady. So he went with what he would have done in the jungle of Endor and jumped up the nearest tree. Except here the tree was actually a standing lamp complete with exquisite lampshade. The ornate fabric of the cloth shade felt wonderful under his claws...it was only a matter of time before he was kneading the delicate fabric, taking some comfort in the pleasing feeling. The fact that he was shredding it beyond repair did not occur to him. Weechee was stressed.

Ewoks didn't cope with stress very well.

"PLEASE DON'T EAT ME!" He wailed. It was not his most Sithlike moment.

 

[Endling vas Precious]

She sneered. What did he just say? She had to admit, he was kind of cute, but there was something... off about him. There was a more gentle, yet troubled presence in The Force. The signature was instantly recognizable.

Satoryu.

"Ah, Sato, just the person I wanted to see." Guinevere flipped her long hair behind her. "As you can see, this little creaton has tried attacking me, or... whatever it is Ewoks do. I've contemplated Force Kicking him into Horuset, but that wouldn't be any fun now would it?" She shot the Ewok an icy glare.

It was then that the unspeakable happened. Clearly embarassed, the little thorn in her side began destroying her lamp. Her lamp! She loved that lamp! It was a gift from an old friend! Guinevere was seething.

"My lamp!"

She could feel the lightning crackling at her fingertips. Force Lightning wasn't her forte, but she could feel the energy seeping into her hands, drawing in from her powerful core. That little bastard would pay! Oh, who was she kidding? She couldn't stay mad at him. Just look at that little nose! And those eyes!

"Dearest Sato," Guinevere began. "Is it just me? Or do you have a hankering for some tea? I think our new friend here would quite enjoy some, don't you say?"

A wicked grin spread on her face. With a snap of her fingers, the Ewok was floating efortlessly in the air. Guinevere took her pillow out of its case, and cut the top and bottom off. She then cut two crude arm holes, and squeezed the make-shift dress over his small body. Taking a piece of torn fabric from her lamp, she fashioned a bow. She grabbed the furry bundle from under his armpits and placed him down at the table.

"Now sit down!" She barked at the Ewok. "Any movement from you and you're a pile of ash, understood?"

She made the tea, found some cookies, and sat, motioning for Sato to do the same. Guinevere smiled.

Tonight had just gotten a whole lot more interesting.

 

[Marf]

Trying to hide her smile, Satoryu brought the doll of Andraste up to her face, and rubbed her nose on her hair. She gave a bow to her superior.

"I'm not going to eat you." She said to the Ewok with a fascinated giggle. "But the Tuk'ata and Klor'slugs might!"

It was not often Sato enjoyed innocence, but when she did it was ecstatic. She could not contain her laughter as the tiny bear ravaged what was a very beautiful lampshade, made of Rhelgese silk, no doubt. Her eyes shifted slightly to the sight as she picked Kesti's voice through telepathy.

"I thought I was cute!?"

"You'll always be cute, Kestija... When you aren't being repulsive."

She didn't bother to mention that he hadn't spoken in almost weeks, it would aggravate him too much. A look of both confusion and surprise appeared on her face, the expression turned into yet another smile at the realization of Guinevere's offer. Nobody ever offered to have tea with Sato, Only Kesti. Only he never offered, he demanded.

"I would love to have tea with you, My Lady!"

It was a happy moment and she tried her best to contain her excitement. As Guinevere prepared the tea, Satoryu placed her doll of the Empress on the ground in sitting position, and readjusted the flower in her hand to make it look as though she was smelling it. Then, she slowly approached the Ewok, and reached out a hand to scratch behind his ear.

"And who and what might you be?"

 

[Endling vas Precious]

Sato was always a welcomed presence, but this Ewok was starting to grow on her, even if he was a tad bit destructive.

After preparing the tea, she sat down, folding her legs underneath her so she could sit more comfortably. She poured Sato's cup first, then the Ewok's, and then her own.

"Cream? Sugar?" She asked.

She stirred a spoonful of each into her own and smiled over at Sato.

"How have things been for you?"

She had trained Sato a few times, but as much as she had liked. The girl had promise, that was apparent. Guinevere was impressed, to say the least. She would make a fine Assassin, always weaving in and out of shadow. Guinevere then turned to the Ewok.

"My name is Guinevere. This is Satoryu," she motioned to the girl across from her. "Now, what is your name? I'm guessing your an Acolyte, and if you're new here, I would suggest you stay out of the restricted areas of the Temple. Some Crusaders and Masters are not as welcoming as I am."

She topped up his cup and grinned.

 

[Marf]

Guinevere motioned for Satoryu to join her, and the young girl was cautious at first, but the smell of the tea aswell as that of her hostess was just too inviting. Sato sat on the floor on one side of the tea table, with her legs folded underneath her, just as Guinevere had done. With tiny, pallid hands, she picked her teacup and brought it to her nose, expecting the refreshing fragrance.

"Neither, thankyou."

Satoryu could not contemplate the thought of tainting tea with milk or sugar and until now, had never used a teacup with a handle. The modern Sith Empire Vitiate had built to replace tradition was truly fascinating.

How had she been? In all honesty, Sato had been great the past year. She was making excellent progress in her training, and she was actually to make friends. The Sith Order was the kindest thing that had ever happened to her, and she was beginning to think of them more like a real family. Master Avlis could very well be a father figure, Drakus was like a big brother and Guinevere could be a big sister.

To top it all off, Kesti was barely interfering at all.

"Well, my Lady..." She took a sip of her tea. "I have an official Master now, Avlis Dioddai is his name, and Master Drakus is teaching me telekinesis. I really am.. great."

The ghost began to cry.