Ask Reflection

[Iymril]

Korriban l Murzana l Death Enabled​

Iymril rested against a counter in the kitchen of their new home. Their mind walked through the conversation they had with the Dark Lord mere hours ago. In one hand, they held a glass of crimson red wine. In the other, the vial of blood they’d taken from Zira on Thule months ago.

Respect, validation, compassion.

They’d shown Zira none of those things. They treated her like property, because she was. Yet, they wanted her to choose to remain with them. They wanted her to desire them. Iymril knew they’d come to a personal crossroads, they could choose to maintain the dynamic they had with her now. Which would result in her inevitable death at their hands.

Or

They could take Darth Arcanos’ wisdom and take the first steps in altering both of their fates. While it might not result in them getting what they longed for, it could spare her blood from their hands. They lightly swirled the wine in the glass as they pondered everything.

In the end, Iymril knew the path they would take. They moved to the living room and took a seat in the lounge cushion. They placed the vial and a weighty small pouch on the low rising table in front of them and waited. Zira should return from her shopping trip soon. When she did she’d be greeted by her Master’s voice.

“Zira, come and sit with me.” They called out.

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Zira walked in with her shopping for the day, carrying bags of fresh fruits and vegetables for the meal she would cook today. She also picked up some more fabric samples to take to the shop. The tiefling had to hide the pain she felt with her bruised body and sore muscles from training. However, in addition to saber training, she was beginning to find joy in the shop and getting it prepared for customers.

She set down the groceries on a counter and walked over with the cloth samples, “Master, I’ve found-” She began before Iymril called her over. Zira was nervous about that tone, but she walked in and eyed them apprehensively. When she saw the vial, her heart stopped. She had to try not to drop what she had in her hands, fear coursing through her.

Did they know?

Was Iymril going to kill her? Did they know she had been training? She almost opened her mouth to proactively apologize, but perhaps it was safer to let them speak first. Zira cleared her throat and took a seat, keeping her head slightly bowed.

“I’m here, my lord,” She said calmly, trying her best to keep dread out of her face.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril felt a well of anxiety within Zira when they called to her. This had become normal since the party on Korriban. She’d seen things that permanently changed her perspectives. It was the only thing that made sense to them.

They sensed the fear when Zira saw the vial of her blood. Once they would have relished in that power to inspire terror so easily. And in almost every other being in the Galaxy, they still did. But for a reason Iym still didn’t fully comprehend or really want to, they didn’t want that fear when it came to her. They wanted something else.

“The Dark Lord purchased several outfits today.” Iymril told her, as they did the Sephi gently slid the pouch towards her. “We had a conversation and he advised me on many things.” Iymril continued, their eyes falling onto her. “Namely on loyalty and how to inspire it.” These words were hard for them to speak, their ears reflected it. “I’ve come to realize that I haven’t respected you and what you bring to our dynamic.” Iymril told her. “Much of what has been built is, in part, thanks to your efforts and sacrifices.” They told her. “I am…thankful to have you here and for the ideas you present to me.” Iymril continued. “This is a third of our profits today. I’ve split it with you down the middle after business expenses.”

That was a big deal, slaves weren’t paid. They were used and abused. Iymril knew that. They knew that Zira knew that too. They knew what she was likely thinking in that moment.

“Zira, when I purchased you, I believed I needed a plaything that would be subservient and loyal because of how broken they were.” Their eyes turned to the vial of blood. “I believed I wanted total power and control over someone else.” Iymril admitted. “I’ve come to realize, that isn’t the case, at least not here with you.” Their eyes fell from her and their voice hesitated for a fraction of a second. Iymril leaned forward and plucked the vial up. They gazed at the enchanted blood for a while before returning to look at her.

“I do not need a slave Zira, I need a someone I can trust to advise me and stand by me.” Iymril told her. “I need someone who will support me even if it is for their own benefit.” They continued. “I need a partner.” Iymril told her as they extended the vial to her. “I want you to be that partner, if it would make you happy.”

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Zira stared in silence as Iymril spoke. Her face betrayed nothing of her thoughts, and in truth she had unwittingly picked up the habit from her master. She heard them lay out their thought process all the way until Iymril held out the vial. The tiefling remained staring, her face largely impassive as she processed things.

She didn’t believe a single word of it.

Sadistic, sick individuals like Iymril never changed. Twisted and broken individuals like her never changed. The entire time they spoke, Zira thought of all the ways to carve up that stunningly beautiful Sephi face. Was this how Iymril spoke to that wretched old hag of a lover they had before? The one that they likely killed just because she wasn’t pretty enough for their liking? This was the same person that murdered a Sith in the medical bay, the very same that butchered a grandmother and entire family on Naboo. That same monster was now presenting to her what they thought was the opportunity of a lifetime. What they thought was an act of kindness.

An elaborate trick. A sick trick to test her loyalty. She knew about tricks like these - sometimes masters would take off the collars and tell slaves they had a head start to run through the woods. A head start before the masters loaded up a blaster and slowly began to walk in after them. It was all for sport. This was a game and a sport to Iymril and she wasn’t stupid enough to see it for anything else.

Not a single trace of her internal thought process would be obvious to Iymril. Not a single bit. They may have been Sith but they were not a god. They didn’t know what a being raised their entire life as a slave was capable of when it came to hiding. When it was something they had to do every single waking moment of every single day. When it was the only way to survive. There were corners of her mind Iymril couldn’t infiltrate without killing her first.

Zira would do whatever it took to survive.

“I’m honored!” She said as she gasped in surprise, “Do you mean it?” Zira smiled, not even caring about the vial, “I don’t even know what I’ll do with the money,” She said, stunned, “It’s overwhelming….” The tiefling mused, “Of course I’ll be your partner,” Zira said with a smile, but it turned into a slight frown, "I'm sorry if I've ever made it seem as if I wasn't loyal..I've done everything I could do please you, my lord."

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Zira seemed excited. She seemed happy at their offer. Their shoulders relaxed a hair. As Zira chattered away about being unsure what to spend her coin on, Iym simply listened. The smile on her face faded slightly as called her loyalty into question.

“Loyalty is a choice.” Iymril replied. “As a slave you had to be obedient, that isn’t loyalty.” They told her. “Just like me simply not sleeping with you wasn’t respecting you.” Iym continued. “Loyalty, just like respect has to be shown as much as it is given.”

“As for what you should spend your coin on, why not something you enjoy?” They asked. “Something that makes you happy.” Iymril pointed out. “What makes you happy?”

As they asked, Iymril called another glass of wine and the bottle of wine to them. They poured Zira a glass and set it down on the table before her. This didn’t feel weird for them, instead it felt natural. For once, something felt normal.

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Happy?

It was a foreign concept to her. For a moment, her thoughts were far away. She couldn’t recall ever being happy. However, there was a moment - a fleeting moment or perhaps several - on Kuat. The rush of a coaster, the sound of her own laughter, a particularly grumpy face, a brain freeze, a whole lot of doing nothing. Was that was happiness had been? That simple taste she had of civilian life? Right before it was snatched away. No, there was no happy for her because it was always an illusion. Always a tease. Happiness was not real and it never would be. There was only survival.

“I like working in the shop,” Zira admitted. It was actually a truth. She wasn’t sure it was ‘happy’ but she did find it fulfilling, “I like having a job,” She clarified, “I may just hold onto what I earn until I can think of what to spend it on,” Zira said with a sheepish smile.

She took the wine and sipped from it, glancing up at Iymril, “Is this change in arrangement something that you wish for, my lord?” Zira asked cautiously. The subtle implications were there - she was testing the waters to see if this was simply a command given by the Sith Lord. Perhaps the question was out of line and Iymril would punish her, but if they meant what they said about this ‘partnership’ they would entertain her questions.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril listened to her, their face betrayed nothing, it never did. Despite this, they were content with Zira’s replies. She liked working at the shop and she wanted to save her credits. Those were both her choices to make.

“The shop was your idea.” Iymril replied. “You can work there, if you’d like and what you choose to do with the money you earn? That’s up to you.” They were giving her freedoms to make choices. She had earned this, it was due to her.

Her last question made their eyebrow cock slightly. Their head tilted in an unusual display of emotion. “Yes.” They replied. “Few beings in the galaxy could force me to do anything I don’t want to.” Iym calmly told her. “I want a partner, not a slave.” They reiterated. “So, what would you like to do with the rest of our day?” Iymril asked her.

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Iymril reminded her often that the shop was her idea, but it still never felt like anything of her own. Was this a social experiment to them? To give the illusion of choice and authority to Zira without any of it actually being real? She had no real choice but to play along. The subtle twitches on their face, the expressions, all of it was unsettling to her. She almost preferred when Iymril acted as if she wasn’t even in the room. Now they looked right at her.

In truth, she wanted nothing more than for them to go away so she could spend the rest of the day with training sabers. However, she could see the expectant look on Iymril’s face, the slightest glint of what almost looked like hope. A look that appeared so unnatural on that cold, demonic visage.

“I’m…I’m overwhelmed by choice, my lord..” She admitted sheepishly, “I have nothing to suggest beyond working on the shop as were my tasks for the day,” Zira knew it was a lame answer, but outside of her scandalous desires to train, it was the truth. She couldn’t come up with anything ‘fun’ to do and she was tired of watching movies on the couch.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril's ears dipped slightly at Zira's response. Disappointing. But they supposed it was to be expected, she'd never really had choice before. They hadn't really given it to her and she certainly was given less by previous masters. So, could they really be surprised when she had nothing to offer? No, they couldn't.

"Why don't we start simply then?" They asked. "You were about to show me something you'd found in the marketplace." Iymril continued. "Why don't we begin there?"

It was simple. Zira had seemed relatively excited to share whatever she had found with them. So it must have been something of value, interest, or both. After that? Perhaps, they could work on dress designs or find a restaurant to eat at. They simply wanted to spend more time with Zira, something that was alien and infuriating to acknowledge. What was worse? They wanted her to want the same. When had she gone from a plaything to something they actually enjoyed being around?

@Sreeya

 

[Zira Suvan]

Zira noticed the dipping of the ears and she felt that familiar anxiety rise at the pit of her stomach. She found it impossible to trust anything with Iymril, and yet over time she knew they couldn’t fake the movements of their ears.

“Will you show me how to make a dress?” She asked after a moment, “How you go from a design drawing to a finished product? I’ve…never seen you work from start to finish,” Iymril was always particular during the design process, jealousy guarding their methods and secrets. Zira never bothered them when they worked, only bringing snacks and refreshments. Iymril disappeared for days at a time to make everything to perfection.

“I had fabric samples to show you and a few extras I recommend with that blue chiffon dress you’ve been working on,” Zira said, her voice bolder than before. If they wanted to strike or kill her, they would have done so by now. If there was an opportunity to learn more from them, she would soak it up.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

One if Iymril’s pristine eyebrows arched slightly at Zira’s question. Could they show her? Sure. Would they show her? That wasn’t something Iym was entirely sure of. The Sephi’s ears quivered slightly as they contemplated Zira’s question further. After a few moments of silence, Iymril let their breath out in a short willowy gust.

“I will show you the process from beginning to end.” They told her cooly.

Iymril knew that she had to understand how to do this to help with the business. They could afford blunders and neither could they run the shop on their own. They’d need the help and she was it.

“Go and fetch the fabrics, I’ll look at them and begin designing something based off of the texture and color.” Iymril explained with a hit of their chin.

While Zira went to do just that, Iymril would gather up everything they’d need for the first step. A design book to draw what they saw in their mind. Charcoal pencils. Several colored ink pens. Whatever would be necessary.

After gathering the supplies, they’d return to the living space and wait for Zira if she wasn’t there already. It would only be after examining the fabric that Iymril would begin. As they worked they explained how they thought and developed the first drafts of a dress. In fact, they developed three different first drafts. And at the end, they’d present each of the designs to Zira.

“Which do you like?”

[Option 1] [Option 2] [Option 3]

@Sreeya