The Giletta Spaceport was the most crowded Evelyn had ever experienced. There was a lot of clean-up but luckily, with the help of three other Clans, it was rather fast paced. Evelyn, at first, helped with the medics and moving people around. When that settled down, she started to aid in repairing ships so the soldiers can go home to their families.
Or just home. Evelyn reminded herself, not all of them had a family to return to, including herself. A soft grunt escaped from her lips when she was struggling with one of the bolts. She can feel her body drench in sweat. While the ashes from the volcano had plummet the temperatures for a few days, it did not take long for the Selen’s tropical climate to return. She reminded herself just one more week of this and she can go on a vacation.
To Elysia.
“Thirteen, do you mind helping me?” Evelyn asked as she stepped back and grabbed a rag from her jumpsuit and started to wipe her hands. She rose her arm and wiped her forehead with the back of her sleeve. Thirteen beeped loudly in refusal. Evelyn turned her head, looked down at Thirteen, and her eyes was slightly widen in shock. Thirteen had never disobey Evelyn. Ever.
“Thirteen?” Evelyn asked in concern. She already checked Thirteen over when they crashed and Thirteen didn’t get any damages or loose wires from it. Thirteen beeped angrily at Evelyn as she sighed in exasperation. She almost pinched the bridge of her nose and remembered she had grease on her hands.
“No, Thirteen, I do not know where BUDD-E is. I am certain we had not seen the last of them. Now please-” Evelyn pointed to the bolt that was stubborn to come off.
“The bolt.”
<@837236610684813342>
The Astral Drake MK II was a marvel of engineering, if Anders had to say so himself. The deep black of the ship seemed to suck out the light around it as it towered over most of the other vessels like an apex predator in the sea.
Anders stood on the ramp, arms folded behind his back in the manner a nobleman would, chest pressed out, chin up, eyes looking down in a haughty fashion. He watched from an elevated platform the representatives of four seperate Clans make their departure. Selen had been a unique experience to say the least, and not one the High Inquisitor was keen to repeat anytime soon. At least he wasn’t alone. BUDD-E, ever faithful, remained perched on his shoulder.
“No, I am not aware of Thirteen’s location. Stop asking.”
The little droid whimpered and drooped it’s head.
The Chiss resisted the urge to roll his eyes. There were, after all, far more pressing matters. He had yet to speak with Zuza and nor did he intend to. Whatever business they had could wait until a later day once he’d had time to process the events of the last forty-eight hours.
It didn’t matter. He had what he came for and was now leaving. It didn’t matter about anything else.
Then, he heard distinct footsteps clanging against the durasteel behind him.
“Looks like we are all set.”
Speak of the man himself.
Draca spoke with the tone of voice that reeked of dissapointment.
“Are you not ready to leave?” Anders spun halfway to face him side-on and quirked a brow.
He was met with the young Zabrak pursing his lips. “I am, I just… was hoping to say goodbye to Melissa first.”
Ah, stupid young love. How it made one blind to the bigger picture.
“You will have plenty of time to converse en-route. Now… what is it?”
BUDD-E had perked up, tilting it’s head in a seemingly random direction in the spaceport. Without any kind of warning, it sprung from Anders shoulder and shot off into the crowd.
“BUDD-E!” Draca called out.
“Blasted droid!” Anders seethed. “After it!”
Thirteen rolled forward and seemingly was going to help Evelyn with the bolt until it whirled as it sped into the crowd, zig and zagging to avoid bumping into people.
“Thirteen!” Evelyn shouted after it. She considered for a moment but she didn’t want to spend the whole day trying to find her droid. What was going on with her droid anyways? She set the tools down and went after her BB unit.
While she searched for Thirteen, she recognized a familiar Chiss. He looked like he was… looking for something? Oh no. Did BUDD-E–
All the stress, frustration, worries, and insanity from the last several days had finally gotten to her as she started laughing. It wasn’t loud or annoying, rather strong, hearty, and maybe a bit contagious. The other Arconans military who knew Evelyn all froze and stared at her. They had no idea that she can laugh. It didn’t take long before she remembered where she was, quickly collected herself, and her eyes snapped to the soldiers and they all quickly scrambled to get back to work.
“Thirteen had been asking for BUDD-E all day. I suppose it also escaped from your clutches?”
“Yes, indeed.”
That was all Anders said. There was no hint of a laugh, nor a smile. His lips pressed into a flat line on his face, though his eyes gazed into her like icicles from a Hoth cave.
Silence descended, some of the onlookers looking back and forth between the pair, currently still Husband and Wife, even if they didn’t know. They didn’t have to, the tension was palpable.
“So…” Draca attempted to break the ice. “I think I forgot something for the ship, so I’ll leave you two alone.”
“The ship we just finished stocking?” Anders’ glare was now fixed on him.
“I… erm…” Draca stammered. “Hey! Who’s up for an oil bath?”
The two droids were ecstatic at the news and followed Draca like he was some sort of robotic messiah.
“Traitor,” Anders muttered under his breath. Not that he could blame the young man.
Still, some reinforcement would have been much appreciated.
Evelyn could feel the coldness. However, she didn’t show concern or confusion, her expression remained stoic, trying to figure out the Chiss that stood before her. Draca spoke up and offered an oil bath as Thirteen beeped in excitement and followed him along with BUDD-E.
Evelyn placed a hand on her hip as she sighed, watching them leave. It… had been awhile since Thirteen had one. She suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Though, as the distance between Thirteen and herself, she started to get a bit anxious. Thirteen was the last item that Aketa had given her. She looked back up to Anders.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Anderson.” She wasn’t sure of his feelings towards her. They had left on a rather abrupt note and she was delivered the papers by Draca. Which was safely secured inside Thirteen at the moment until she could take care of it when things had calm down. She started to follow Draca and the droids at a distant, not quite wanting to leave Thirteen.
“I must admit. I was surprised when Draca handed me the papers. The emotions behind your words at the time was intense. But I should also thank you. You made me realize something.”
A hand.
He held out a hand.
He held out a hand to silence her. There was no use of the Force, just a request for her to allow him to speak. Draca would take good care of the droids. In all fairness, BUDD-E had been through the wringer itself and could do with a good cleaning.
Even if it was just a ploy from the Zabrak to get Anders left with Evelyn.
Those droids probably weren’t even getting cleaned.
The cheek of it.
“Perhaps I jumped to conclusions rather unjustly. I have had a sufficient amount of time to process, hence the papers,” Anders’ curiosity was piqued, however. “What is this something you have realised?”
So this was how Anders apologized. Well. She’ll take it and she’ll give him a nod, to show that she understood.
Evelyn considered for a moment how to explain it. Should she explain or keep it simple? It didn’t occur to her until she was signing the papers that she had realized she was starting to care again. She even started to consider to retire from the military and try to find her wings. She felt lost but it was comforting this time and not completely terrifying.
At first, she was scared and concerned that she would end up start developing feelings for two people. She had went on one date with someone before Nar Shadaa and they still needed to talk about a lot of things. Then Selen was under attack by the old ‘Gods’ and their creations.
It was over, but her feelings were not. Anders had made the choice easier for her. In a way.
“That I am capable to care again.”
Well, that was certainly unanticipated. Of all the words that could have left Evelyn’s mouth, that was not what Anders had expected in the least.
A myriad of questions flooded him. When had she stopped caring? Logical reasoning deduced it was likely the death of her deceased wife, Aketa, that would have had prolonged psychological impact on any sane individual who had just lost their life partner. Sudden traumatic events could, and often had, led to a loss of empathy and reclusiveness that was difficult to overcome.
“I am glad to hear you are capable of forming attachments once again,” this time, Anders allowed himself a small smile, his lips curving slightly upwards as he folded his hands behind his back. “The big question is to what, or to whom, do you care for?”
Evelyn’s lips followed with the small smile. The moment Anders had asked who she had started to care for, she exhaled in slight frustration the moment her tanned skin had turned slightly darker from her blushing. She always hated she can flush so easily.
“I had a date with Mr. Wyndell Tyris before the mission to escort Lottson to Nar Shaddaa. And then, there is also you, Mr. Anderson.” She was never the one to lie.
Him?
It wasn’t often that Anders was rendered speechless. That, however? That would do it. Memories came flooding back of times he had gotten attached to potential partners in the past, only to have them betray him, backstab him, hurt him. He did not trust easily. It was to be won and earned, not simply handed out on a silver platter. Yet, he tried to ignore the dull ache in his heart when he heard Tyris’ name. He forced that dreaded sensation into the soles of his very being.
He could tell she wasn’t lying. He felt it in the Force. That was one of the things in an ever-growing list he began to appreciate about Evelyn. One that he had sorely misjudged.
“I… see,” Anders cleared his throat. “And, I’d you do not mind me asking, at which point did you start having these feelings?”
Evelyn’s brows furrowed for a moment before she was in deep thought. When did she develop them? That was hard to say. She tried to avoid him at Nar Shaddaa for a reason, he was everything her mother would wanted for her so she attempted to distant herself from the allurement of Anders. It did not work. But did she care for him? The Nexu developed a relationship with him was rather… sweet. And he treated her like a lady the whole time, save for a few snide and snarky comments here and there.
Or was it when she called Anders about Draca’s condition? The concern in his voice and the shift over to respecting her. That was, until he crashed onto their planet and was burning with anger and rage. Or when she tried to clean his wound? There was many moments in those small ones that she realized she had care for him quite some time but it wasn’t strong until Draca handed her the papers.
And it was then it occurred to her how much she missed caring for someone. To open her heart again. It was terrifying but she was ready.
“I…” Evelyn trailed off for a moment, “I am actually unable to answer that one. I apologize.” Then it hit her.
What if Anders had feelings for her too? And she had bluntly admitted-
Oh. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt him.
Of course she couldn’t. Such a question was realistically unfair and required an incredible amount of self reflection. Most people would not do that on their own without being prompted to do so first.
That begged the question; how did he feel about her?
He found her an anomaly, thar was very much for certain. He was intrigued by her during their first meeting on Kasiya all those months ago, even if she had initially attempted to avoid him, even on Selen it could be argued to be the same.
There was no avoiding him on Nar Shaddaa.
The two were consequently wed, against their wishes, mind you, and by all accounts, either had grounds to file for divorce with any solicitor that dared take on their case.
And Anders had found one.
Even after how he had treated her, she still developed feelings for him? Here? Now? Why? Was it a ploy? Had some Arconans put her up to it? Bril? Minnow? Ellisyn?
No.
He couldn’t detect it. No lies. She was speaking the truth.
It was what he appreciated most about her.
Monster!
Asshole!
Murderer!
Mind-Fracker!
Inquisitor Scum!
Even if Anders had the best interest of everyone at heart, they often turned on him. Any romantic relationship he’d ever had ended in a mix of betrayal and attempts to kill him.
Could this ever be different? He wanted to be able to trust again. Trust unconditionally just like with Draca. Could he?
His mouth twitched ever so slightly. He took a deep breathe to centre himself.
“It is fine. It was unreasonable of me to ask such a question. I do apologise,” he offered his arm out for her to take, if she wished, while they walked back at a slower pace to his ship.
Evelyn was worried she had said something wrong. He was quiet for quite some time. Before she could ask if he was alright, he finally took in a deep breath. So she gave him space. Her eyes watched their surroundings. It was slowly becoming less busy as there was mainly, Arconan ships and a few other clans. Not much longer.
She turned to look back at Anders when he talked to her as she shook her head. With a small smile, she hooked her arm around his and walked alongside with him.
“It is quite alright. I am… sorry if I complicate things. That is the last thing I want to do to you.”
“Please,” Anders allowed himself a small chuckle. “My life has been complicated ever since I was a child. It is the norm for me.”
With ship’s disappearing into the Selenian atmosphere, they had plenty of ample room to tread, even with the eyes of what the Chiss could only assume to be Evelyn’s squad gawking at them as they passed.
“I do have to ask, if I may, what do you intend to do with the papers?”
“That is something I can empathize with,” Evelyn gave Anders a small smile. She didn’t have a ‘normal’ childhood. Her therapist had to be blue in the face while talking up and down that her parents was abusive. Even then, Evelyn still believed they did what was best for her to make sure she can survive out there.
Now? She’s not so certain anymore.
“I did not have the time yet since then. I have been helping with the other Clans on their ship repairs so they could go home. My plan was to go to the court when I was done and take a sabbatical. I do apologize for the delay.” She paused a moment. Was he asking because he was ready to divorce her as soon as possible or-
“Why did you ask, Mr. Anderson?”
A small pang of the heart.
Barely noticeable, but still there. Anders was an expert at hiding what he felt inside. It certainly helped that what Evelyn had said was expected.
Still…
“I will not lie to you, Evelyn. You have shown me the same courtesy and therefore, I shall do the same for you.”
He took a moment to gather his thoughts, all the while the Echani-Shaevalian hybrid beside him tried, and failed, to not look expectantly at him.
“You intrigue me. Most would be repelled at the mere sight of me, of what I am and what I have done. For a while, I believed that to be the case from you, at least at the beginning. However, you warmed to me, and I to you. I did do my research, and tried to learn as much about you as I could. Not to use against you, but out of my own curiosity. Contrary to what you may believe, you are a good person.”
“You are good at your job. I cannot fault you for that- What?” Evelyn stopped as they were right at the ramp of Anders’s ship. Mixture of emotions flashed through her eyes, mainly anger, shame, and confusion. He had looked into her. He did it out of curiosity but she doesn’t even know how much the Brotherhood had known about her or did he use other sources?
‘…you are a good person.’
My mistakes tells me otherwise. She was doing everything she can to keep her panic down and was doing a good job of it.
She withdrew her arm and whispered, “How much do you know?”
“Enough that talking about it out in the open is unwise,” he whispered back, his voice a hushed tone. “Perhaps it is best we talk on my ship where no-one can overhear us?”
He gestured towards the Consigna-Class Corvette, and the ramp that led up inside it.
Evelyn’s jaw tightened as she gave him a singular nod and followed Anders into the ship. Then it hit her.
He also liked her? She intrigue him…. Her eyelids closed for a moment in disbelief before she paid attention where she was going. She had gotten herself into a mess and she was not quite sure how to get out of this one. She free her hair from the messy bun as her silver hair spilled over her shoulders and she had started to nervously comb the ends of her hair with her fingers.
She caught herself and quickly stopped as her hands went to the side while Anders escorted her somewhere more private.
There is no way he had found out about Myla.
Thankfully, when the ship was designed, it was designed with simplicity in mind. One long hallway stretched from the back of the ship to the front, extending into rooms of various sizes on either their left or right. After a couple of minutes, Anders took a right into what Evelyn could only assume was his private quarters.
Strangely, there was no sign of Draca, BUDD-E, or Thirteen. There also happened to be a…
She recognised that. Was that… the nexu? Sleeping in a bed in the corner, grinning from ear-to-ear?
“Kitty will not disturb us. It is a surprisingly hard sleeper,” Anders chuckled to himself. He unhooked his arm from Evelyn and sat at the foot of the bed. He patted the spot beside him. “No tricks, I swear.”
The walk was a few minutes long which gave Evelyn time to calm down mentally.
He does not know. He wants to speak privately because my civilian job is meant to be private and unknown. That is all that is. When they got to his private quarters, Evelyn noticed the Nexu right away.
“….Kitty?” Evelyn said, slightly amused that out of all names in the galaxies, that was the one he picked. Evelyn watched his hand patted next to him on the bed as she paused. She would much rather be standing considering he may know about her other job.
With the promise of no tricks, she went and sat down next to Anders, her posture straight as her hands here neatly placed on her lap. She crossed her legs and waited. She felt her nervousness raised for a different reason, being this close to Anders, she didn’t want to become improper.
Th-Thump, Th-Thump, Th-Thump.
He didn’t need the Force to feel her nerves, nor his own. It had, admittedly, been a while since a woman had sat on his bed, his positions in leadership and various responsibilities to both the Inquisitorius and Envoy Corps often kept him far too preoccupied these days for any kind of intimacy. He took a quick glance at Evelyn, her hair flowed freely, perhaps a little curled at the tips, shining like the reflection of the sun upon a clear stream.
She looked elegant in a free sort of way. It was a wonder why she didn’t have her hair like that more often. Likely due to military procedures, if he had to guess.
Oh, right, of course. Her answer.
“I started with a general background check. Home planet, education, family and so forth. I learned that you were born during the reign of the Galactic Empire and are the daughter of Davinna and Zell Wyvern, a wealthy couple known for hiring Sith and Force Disciples. The very same that likely trained you. At the age of sixteen, you were kicked out of your home and took up mercenary work, a frightfully young age for one with Shaevellian DNA.”
He paused to gauge Evelyn’s reaction.
Evelyn’s jaw tightened at hearing her parent’s names. Good riddance to them. Her shoulders relaxed as it seems that he doesn’t know about her daughter.
“That is correct. Mother wanted to strengthen my resolve so I endured six years of mind tricks.” Evelyn fought to make sure those memories do not come to the surface. The pain was unbearable at times.
Evelyn was quiet at the mention for her being kicked out at sixteen. Luckily for her, she looked older so authorities never tried to investigate her when she did odds n ends job as a merc.
“I was a disappointment to them.” She hated her parents greed and always tried to mess up their finances. She tried to please them but no matter what she did, she was not good enough. Until she had enough. And they had enough with her.
She stayed quiet, wondering what else Anders knew. She tried to avoid glancing at him, not wanting to make the situation being so close to him more difficult.
“You are many things, Evelyn. A dissapointment is not one of them,” Anders clasped his hands together and waited. Evelyn had these little telltale signs when something wasn’t right.
“Do you wish for me to continue?”
Evelyn felt her throat locked up as she pushed the emotions down. She did not expect that; from Anders out of all people. Then again, she’s reminded of Draca, a really good man despite being raised under Anders. She always believed whoever raised you, a piece of the guardian shines through the child. She does not want to get emotional in front of him.
“Yes.” She knew she couldn’t just leave without knowing just how much he knows, her survival, everything she fought to keep hidden, he had discovered like it was nothing.
That also beg the question to if she failed to cover her tracks. She would need to go back and fix any openings and mistakes she may have made.
Very well.
“I know that you worked for the Kadnikov company and were accused for the murder of your parents. However, you had an alibi and were consequently released.”
{With Anderson amazing perception, he would noticed that her fingers flinched and she quickly interlaced her fingers to hide it. Her breath also caught when her parents death were brought up.}
{She was obviously hiding something.}
“That is correct.” Skylar and herself was both arrested for the murder of her parents. But Maxim Kadnikov, her then boyfriend, provided the alibi for herself and Skylar wasn’t even on the planet for over two months. So Skylar was released too.
Her parents deaths were still not solved.
As for her working with Kadnikov, that one, she wasn’t surprised that he knows of it. And there was no hint that he knows Kadnikov was more than a company.
“Just how deep did you go, Mr. Anderson?” She wasn’t sure how she felt when he knew basically her life and she was still discovering things about him.
“Deep enough that I know about your daughter.”
Now that? That would be the true test between them both.
The color drained from her tanned skin. She failed. She did not do a good job of covering her tracks. She looked deathly ill.
He knew. She couldn’t breathe. Part of her wanted to attack, while he’s right there and vulnerable, she always keep a knife coated in poison on her. Her daughter. She needed to protect her.
But she remained logical. If he wanted hurt her daughter, he would already had done so. Unless he was the kind to draw it out- No. He raised Draca, a good man. He would not-
She got up from the bed and took a few steps away from him, trying to breathe. When Myla was in her arms, Evelyn swore that she would do anything to protect her from her own mistakes and decisions so no harm would befell her child. Her past was hers and Myla should never be subjected to it.
“I failed,” she managed to gasp out. Her hand brushed at the side of her thigh, where her dagger rested.
Evelyn might have thought the involuntary twitch of her fingers had gone unnoticed.
It had not.
She mayhaps believed that the brush of her fingers against the weapon next to her thigh had not been seen.
It had.
Anders, at least for the moment, felt no immediate danger from the Force. Yet, the woman in front of him paced like a wild animal cornered in a cage, desperate for survival. They were always the most dangerous kind.
From what he knew, Evelyn wanted the best life for her daughter, Myla was her name and indeed, that had been achieved. However, there was a chance that she perceived him as a threat.
“You did not,” he clarified, folding his arms across his chest. “No trail can be completely covered up, but let me assure you that following this one was like tracking breadcrumbs through space before I realised where it led.”
No trail can be completely covered up-
I should had killed that nurse and doctor- Evelyn winced at herself for thinking such an intrusive thought. She calmed herself down when she realized how irrational she was starting to think. At least she made it difficult for Anders to dig into. Her jaw was still tight as she stared at his bright crimson hues. She was calculating in her head. Could she even trust him? Did she need to go back and find a way to cover it up more despite what he said?
There’s a huge part of her that could trust him. He raised Draca. He lost his temper because it was about Draca. She hasn’t seen him lose his temper by other means.
But he was also dangerous and it wouldn’t be below him to use Myla against her…
He would never. Evelyn tried to persuade herself. It wasn’t working. She needed to hear it from him. Does he have a plan underneath all this? Did he want something to her? It was a quick and sure fire way to blackmail her easily.
“I am trying to-” She took in a deep breath and straightened her posture.
“I am trying to convince myself that you would never use my child against me… no matter how angry you get.”
It was understandable, of course, given his behaviour in recent events that Evelyn would think he would be capable of such a thing.
Because he was.
Darth Lenora made sure he trusted nobody except himself. It wasn’t until he took in Draca Zul that he could finally begin to care for someone other than himself.
Why did he take Draca in?
Because children were innocent. They didn’t deserve to die. They were not yet tainted by the harsh realities of the universe. They didn’t fully understand the choices they made.
They can be taught and any shortcomings were the responsibility of those who nurtured them.
“I will not lie to you, Evelyn. I am a man who has done terrible things in the name of justice. A justice I sorely believe this galaxy needs. However, I will never include children in that. No matter how angry, furious, or enraged I become, Myla is safe. That, I swear.”
Evelyn released a shuddering gasp as she did not realize she was holding her breath the whole time. She believed him. She actually believed him. She made her way back over and sat down by Anders, her body sagged.
He even knows her name…
“I am sorry, this is embarrassing-“ she was showing too much emotions as she straightened her posture, “Give me a moment to collect myself.” She was ready to attack him and die trying. At least, if she died, he wouldn’t had a reason to after go Myla.
“Of course,” Anders stated. “Take all the time you need.”
He attempted to reach into the well of the Dark Side, intending to seek out Evelyn’s most inner emotions. Yet, he couldn’t do it. His own thoughts were clouded and it was affecting his judgement.
“Thank you,” Evelyn whispered when he gave her the space and time she needed. She didn’t take long to get it all back down. It was then, she had realized when she sat back down, she sat much closer to Anders. Their arms were touching as she felt warmth slowly creep up to her face. Her heart started to beat widly in her chest.
“Oh, ah, I am sorry, Mr. Anderson-” She scooted a bit away, wanting to give each other space. She turned to look at him. He was kind enough to let her know that he knew about Myla, in private. He had been patient with her and didn’t react when she didn’t react very well.
“Anders?” She waited until they made eye contact. The moment his bright red met with hers, she gave him a grin.
“Thank you.”
This time, it was Anders’ turn to have a reaction to something that was said to him. He stiffened, his eyes ever so slightly widening, not by a lot, but enough that it was noticeable.
Nobody ever thanked him for anything.
What was Evelyn’s aim here? Was she trying to undermine him? Win his trust like so many others had before him only to then turn on him when he was at his most vulnerable?
He still remembered Jamila and the lesson that came from his Master.
“You… are welcome?” He hadn’t intended for it to come out like a question, but here he was. “If I may ask, what are you thanking me for?”
At first, Evelyn was confused the question. Then it occurred to her, by the way his eyes widened slightly, that maybe no one had really thanked him.
“For being patient. Telling me about Myla in private. For not reacting when I was being irrational. And… for not using Myla against me. That…” She winced softly.
“I would do anything to keep you away from her. You had easy blackmail material under your fingers. You did not. So, thank you for everything.”
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Force alive, it had been over a decade since that had happened to him. In fact, the last time was…
Anders shook the thought from his mind. He had changed, matured, learned, and grown more powerful than ever. He had a reputation and would not become a blithering mess.
“You are welcome. If it puts you at ease, I added my own personal touches to the trail that I followed. It is, as I have said, not impossible to follow nor will it ever be, but you will need the eyes of a mynock to be able to follow it.”
Evelyn looked at Anders in shock. He….covered up the trail more? Part of her wanted to ask if he killed anyone.
The other part? It was best not to know. She didn’t want to ruin the development they were having and she had learned to pick her battles.
“I….” Evelyn choked out as she looked appalled and quickly covered her mouth while she cleared her throat. She didn’t even know how to respond to him.
“How can I ever repay to you?”
Good question.
How was she to repay him for covering up the trail and previously threatening to keep her bound to him via an unwanted marriage?
“You do not owe me anything,” he waved off her comment like it was no big deal.
Evelyn considered it for a moment. She could ask him on a date? To the Opera or a play–
No. No need to complicate things more.
It is already complicated. And she hated herself for it. She never thought she would be in a position to choose between two men. But it seemed that Anders had let her go.
She rose from the bed.
“If the day arrives where I can repay you or help you with something, just call for me. I will do all I can.” Evelyn promised.
“It is noted and much appreciated. Thank you, Evelyn.”
Anders watched her rise from the bed. The temptation was strong. Very strong. He himself, owned opera houses scattered across the Core Worlds. Perhaps she would be inclined to see a show with him? They would have the best seats in the house, the perfect view of all the lights, the perfectcrange of all the sights and all the wonder of the theatre.
Alas, trusting like that again was difficult for him.
“You have already done much, all of which I took for granted. I will endeavour to not do so again.”
Now it was Evelyn’s turn to be confused. She had done so much? Sure there was moments where she had found Anders in trouble, but it was BUDD-E that saved his life by finding them, not her.
She tilted her head towards the door and avoided eye contact.
“If I must be honest, Anders, I fear that I would make mistakes if I stay close to you and alone. If you please, may we go find our droids?”
“Wait,” this time, it was Anders’ turn to be blunt and direct. “What do you mean by mistakes? What do you fear, Evelyn?”
The Sith, of course, had noticed the lack of eye contact. He rose from the bed and carefully made his way over to Evelyn.
A chill went down in her spine. She did not move back. She assumed he was walking to the door so they both can head out.
‘What do you fear, Evelyn?’
Many things. More people know about Myla. Opening her heart again. Trusting someone again. And worse part of it all? To two people. She took in a deep breath to compose herself. She thought she had explained in the beginning… perhaps she was not clear.
“I fear of having to choose between you two.”
Himself and Wyndell Tyris.
One was a High Inquisitor and a dangerous man disliked by many in Arcona. The other was the brother to the Exarch and had a more reputable disposition amongst the Arconan military that Evelyn served with.
Logically speaking, the choice should have been obvious, but then, when had matters of the heart ever been simple?
“That is a decision I cannot make for you. Only you can make that choice. It is only fair.”
Perhaps, there was a way he could entice her?
“Tell me, how much do you know about the Lenora Operatic Society?”
Evelyn considered for a moment. How was it fair really? She crossed her arms. This was why keeping emotions down was so much more simple. But in a way, she missed caring about others and vice versa.
He wasn’t making any move to the door.
Her eyes lit up when he mentioned Lenora Operatic Society.
“Oh! I had been, when I was younger. Then I tried to get tickets for Aketa and myself, that was, when it became Zenod Operatic Society, but it was booked so fast every time they open. I finally got ahold of a couple but…” Evelyn trailed off. It would’ve been obvious.
But then I lost her.
“Well, who do you think this Zenod is?” His lips curved into a small, if somewhat arrogant smirk.
Evelyn watched him, her brows barely furrowed but it was there. She recollected a young Chiss boy, and he sang so well. Even better than herself. Her parents were envious and made snide comments that Evelyn should practice more to be that good. She sang beautifully herself but it was only enough to get into plays and a few roles in Opera, but his was outmatched.
She watched his facial features some more. His hairline. The cheekbones. His skull structure.
Was…
No.
She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
Her late mother would’ve been over the moon knowing that she was married to him and rolling in her grave finding out they were going to get a divorce. He would’ve checked every box her mother had for a perfect ‘political and powerful’ husband and she wouldn’t even care if he mistreated Evelyn or harm her.
All Davinna cared was about appearances. And greed.
Evelyn realized how dumb she must look and fixed her posture as well lowered her hand.
“Well. High Inquisitor, Vice Chancellor, and one of the best Opera Singers the Galaxy had seen in a long time, is there anything you cannot do, Anders?”
That got a genuine laugh from Anders. In the corner of the room, Kitty began to stir at the sudden volume, though nestled itself back into its bed.
“What can I say, Miss. Wyvern? I am a man of many talents,” Anders gave a somewhat curt bow, like a performer would at the end of a show. “Regardless, I am currently negotiating with Cassandra regard acquiring land permits for opera houses in the Taldryan Republic. Once that is claimed and approved, perhaps, whenever you are next in the Caelus System, you would be interested in being one of the first to see a new production?”
Oh. His laugh. Evelyn wanted nothing more than to see him smile more or laugh more. She found herself smiling when his laugh has started to fade.
“I would love-” She stopped herself and her smile disappeared. No. She didn’t want to make the choice more difficult. If she goes on a date with Anders, wouldn’t that mean she chose Anders? Wyndell and her aren’t official or anything, so it wouldn’t be cheating. But it would feel wrong.
Why am I like this?
And she’s terrified for another reason. If that date goes so well, she worried that she would become improper and she might as well go visit her mother’s grave to inform her that she was right to call her a slut.
“May…” She cleared her throat to regain her composure.
“May I think about it?”
“Of course. It would be unwise to rush into anything. Feel free to take as much time as required. I am still working on the logistics with Cassandra. So, as you might imagine, this is quite the task.”
That was no joke. All Anders wanted to do was bring a little culture to the Taldryan Republic. He was literally one of the richest individuals in the known galaxy because of the business he had ‘inherited’ from his old Master.
May she rot in hell forever.
“Now, shall we see about those droids of ours?”
Evelyn gave him a small nod but doubt still rested in her heart. Part of her was surprised over his control of passion or lack therofe. Anders was not the first Sith she had met but maybe he did not follow their ideals? She was trying to remember them. Her mother had once hired a very devout Sith who muttered those words like they were prayers in morning and evenings.
Right now, her head was spinning with conflicting emotions and logical answers.
Evelyn raised her hands and gathered her hair. She pulled them over to one of her shoulder. When she gets nervous, she usually starts playing with her hair. At first, she assumed that he does not start to care for her but he mentioned the choice was hers to make.
Does he?
Does he not?
“Oh, ah, yes. Thirteen was in a need for one. I was going to do it so it was kind of Draca to offer.” Evelyn realized she was combing the ends of her hair with her fingers and stopped. She straightened her posture to more lady-like and prepared herself to follow Anders.
Make no mistakes, Evelyn bitterly reminded herself.
Still… Curiosity got the best of her.
“Anders… what do you think of me?” Evelyn asked, “I mean… your feelings.”
Anders froze. Shod he be honest? Lies were never truly his speciality, but little white lies? They were different. It wasn’t a lie if there was some truth to his words.
No.
She had been honest with him up until now. It was only fair. He placed his hands behind his back and cleared his throat.
“I will not lie to you. I have grown rather… fond of you for reasons I struggle to explain. I am a dangerous man, Evelyn. Most do not wish to associate with me for a myriad of reasons. There are plenty in Arcona who may shun you because of your association with me. I have always kept my distance from these sorts of feelings to protect myself and yet, here we are.”
Evelyn felt a pang in her heart and it almost stole her breath away. She knew all too well about keeping distant to protect yourself. It’s what she had to live with for years and was finally starting to see that it wasn’t life for her. She… didn’t want him to stop chasing the emotions. Emotions were scary and terrifying but they were powerful and exhilarating. She also didn’t want to be the reason why he would have to harden his heart.
Her mind was at a battle. Yes, he was a dangerous man but she sees so much more in him and so does Draca. Yes, many in Arcona may shun her but she never really cared what other think before they get the facts.
“As for what Arcona can think of me, I never cared. And I had been thinking of leaving the military ever since the old ‘Gods’ incident we had.” Evelyn started. She stood before him, her hand slowly raising to show she meant no harm.
“You have a bit of…” She gently brushed his black hair back. It must had got a little disarray when he went chasing after BUDD-E earlier. Her throat was tight, being this close to him. Slowly, she withdrew her hand.
She needed time.
“I…” She closed her eyelids, it was obvious with her expression that she was struggling. She reopened her eyes and looked up to meet with his bright red hues.
“Give me time. I will not leave either of you hanging but I need time.”
It was hard to mask the dissapointment he felt, though it was hard to take Kenora’s criticisms of his character non-personally. He was not the monster she thought she had created. He had won. He should be free to care for what or whom he wanted without consequence.
Yet, here he was, hesitating.
“Of course,” he finally said and gestured to the door. “Shall we find our droids?”
“A moment?” Evelyn asked. Maybe he should know. That way, if he was not the type to handle it, it would make her decision easier.
“I have a question before we go get the droids.” She cleared her throat while she felt her face was getting hot.
“I have obsessive-compulsive discorder but outside of my home, it is not so bad.” She knew that once she gather Thirteen and go home, it was going to be bad today. Everything was out of her hands and it’s affecting her.
“Some days depends on how stressful or how out of control the day was. With that said, I always feel like I need to be in control. Of everything.” Then straight to the point.
“Except for intimacy. That needs to be taken away from me. Are you able to do something like that without it affecting you?”
Anders was unusually silent, his mouth pursed from one side to the other like he was mulling something over in his head.
Suddenly, without a word and with a flick of his wrist, the door to the hallway hissed shut. The Echani-Shaevalian hybrid’s eyes widened, mouth slightly agape.
She didn’t get the chance to speak before she felt an invisible Force push her towards the bed. She fell onto it, arms and legs spread our, silver hair freely flowing on the sheets. If she tried to move, she would find that she was unable to. Her head, at least, was allowed movement.
Anders walked over, one hand behind his back, a small, if somewhat triumphant curved smile on his face. “Like that?”
If Evelyn had to be honest, it was the first time the Force was used on her like that. Her teeth gazed on her lower lip as she steadied her breaths to calm herself down. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move.
He was taking her control away from her. Her heart was pounding wildly and she was getting too warm. Her tongue licked over her lower lip and started to nibble on her own lip, she was trying to use the pain as a distraction.
It didn’t work.
“Yes.” Evelyn finally breathed out and attempted to hide her soft pants.
“Well, then…”
Could he do it? Could he learn to let loose and trust again? Could he let his instincts guide him to what his body and soul wanted rather than what his head was telling him.
“I think this venture of ours is going to be… exhilarating.”
Meanwhile.
“Look, I know I promised you an oil bath, but the ship is new! I’m still trying to find my way around stuff and things!”
The two droids, an agitated and betrayed BUDD-E and Thirteen had followed the Zabrak into the bowels of the ship with no oil bath in sight. There was no end to the constant complaining and whining from them.
Draca sighed. He hoped Anders was having better luck with Evelyn…
Thirteen beeped angrily as it threateningly got out a cattle prod.
And turned it on.
Blue electric lines were seen between the prongs.
Draca placed his hands on his hips and scowled at the droids.
“Well, that’s just rude!” He said.
Thirteen beeped again, considering it’s decision.
An idea popped in its droid head, it beeped rapidly, saying that it was going to find Evelyn and tattle on him. And with that, it whirled and went to go find her.
—
Evelyn returned the kiss, her hand gently brushing his black hair back in hopes to help fixing his hair.
Draca called out after the droids and was almost left entirely in the dust. Even without the Force it was amazing how fast these tiny little machines could jolt.
Coming from Draca, a Jedi known for his agility and energy, that was saying something.
Alas, droids technically didn’t count as sentient beings and thus left no signature in the Force to follow, leading Draca to accidentally open the doors to Anders’ quarters.
“Buddy? Thirteen? You in-”
He froze. Wide eyed and mouth agape. He locked eyes with Evelyn, then Anders, then Evelyn again, then Anders once more in quick succession. He swallowed the lump in his throat and slowly backed out of the room, pressing the button to slide the door shut.
Draca pressed his back against the wall, his hearts pounding, cheeks flushed red from embarrassment as he gingerly walked away in the direction of what he assumed were his living quarters.
Evelyn sighed softly as she placed her hand on her forehead and chuckled.
“I do hope you already gave him the talk.” She gently teased with a smirk playing on her lips. Her emotions and impulsiveness were starting to slowly fade away as she exhaled softy.
Of course, she had to go and make things more complicated. In a way, she had mulled it over while she was repairing ships and now-
She cleared her throat and got up as she started to get dressed. She can hear Thirteen frantically beeping behind the doors about appointments.
“Thirteen! Stop.” Then Thirteen let out a looooooong grumbled ‘beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep’ before stopping.
Anders heard what he translated as an amused series of beeps and boops coming from his own droid. How they had escaped Draca was beyond him, but then again, it was those two droids in particular.
“That goes for you as well, Buddy.”
This time, it was BUDD-E’s turn to lowly boop.
He then answered Evelyn. “Yes, indeed, I gave him the talk,” and what an awkward conversation that had been. “Regardless, Draca…”
Anders paused for a moment. How should he best explain this?
With honesty.
“Draca is on the spectrum for autism. It takes him a measure of time to adapt to sudden change. Usually, I attempt to help him adjust to new experiences slowly as sudden shocks leave him emotionally and mentally withdrawn for a period of time.”
He sighed.
“I need to, at least, attempt to speak with him.”
Evelyn turned to look at him. That had explained so much.
“Oh. I am sorry for the joke,” she whispered. She was going to offer her help but it was best to leave Anders with this. Her being involved in the conversation could overwhelmed young Draca because it would be out of routine for him. She finished getting dressed and looked over to Anders.
“I must go. Keep me updated about Draca and do apologize for me, please.” There was a moment of hesitation. She was already planning to message Wyndell to discuss things. Then there was the other matter of….
“Anders, I will be in Elysia next week for my sabbatical. If I may be so bold, I would love to have dinner with you one night there.”
“And I would be delighted to dine with you,” he reached for Evelyn’s hand and, ever the gentleman that he was, planted a kiss upon it. “Perhaps I will have made some leeway in regards to the opera in the Caelus System?”
Somehow, Anders doubted that very much.
“And do not feel concerned regarding Draca. He will come around. He is just… sensitive. That is all. I do have one question I feel we must resolve with an answer, however. What are we doing in regards to our marriage?”
Evelyn placed her hand on his and smiled gently when he planted a kiss on the back of her hand. Her fingertips reached up and caressed his cheek gently.
“I look forward to hearing about the progress over dinner.” Oh. The question. Her brows furrowed for a moment. They shouldn’t dance around the question anymore not after….
“We can finalize it. Or because we do care for each other, we could stay married and see where it takes us.” She walked towards the door and gently pushed the panel as the door slid open with a soft hiss. Thirteen and Buddy were both right there.
“Come on in.” She said to the two of them as they did so. Evelyn squatted by Thirteen and opened up a hidden compartment in Thirteen’s body. She got out the folded paper and her black wedding band from Nar Shaddaa. She stood before Anders with both items in her hand and waited for his decision.
“Although, I do request that whichever you choose, I would still love to be courted by you.” Evelyn smiled widely as her cheeks uplifted.
“I do not think marriage should kill the courtship.”
Anders had the choice to make? My, how generous of her. He stood silently for a moment, the decision already obvious to him in his mind.
He reached for the slip of paper and took it in his hand, slightly surprised Evelyn kept it on her, but at least it made what he was about to do next much simpler.
Before he had a chance to gauge her reaction to his ‘choice’, sparks of electricity darted up his hand and set the paper aflame. It crumbled to ash in his hand. The Sith then calmly placed his hands behind his back and smiled.
“Nor do I,” he finally said.
Evelyn watched as he took the papers into his hand and the flames roared to life for a moment before it became ashes and was gone. Her hand that held the ring enclosed as she brought it to her chest.
Her heart pounded loudly while her breath caught. She had… conflicting emotions. She hasn’t cared or been with anyone for five years. She closed out her heart and buried herself in her job after Aketa’s death and became damn good at it. The moment she opened up a bit, she started to develop feelings for two people. After mulling while she was repairing ships, she had came to a decision. She chose Anderson to give her heart to. It was just a question if he returned the same.
And now, here she was, the wife of Vice Chancellor and High Inquisitor, Anderson of Taldryan.
Her parents would be over the moon and giving Anderson everything they had to make sure the marriage stays solid, no matter what. The irony. She swore to never marry any one who was deeply involved in the political matters as Anderson was.
She couldn’t say anything. She was scared to fall hard again but so excited to care again.
What a situation those two had gotten themselves situated in. It was ironic how they started with barely a word between them to sudden marriage. Evelyn had attempted to slap him twice and succeeded once. He’d threatened to force her to remain bound to him and mow she was willing to do so without any coercion or persuasion.
After Jamila, Anders had sworn to never fall for anyone again. He could never trust again. Draca was supposed to be the only exception and that was because he practically raised the boy.
Any lover he had was just that; a lover. Nothing more, nothing less. Evelyn, however, had somehow broken through his shell. She was an unknown experience. A frightening, yet exciting one at that. There was the question of what she would think after he told her everything he had done.
Though, he had warned her he was a man who had done terrible things.
For now, Anders settled for taking the ring out of Evelyn’s hand and slipping it on her finger.
Evelyn tried to remained steady. Her posture was straight, shoulders back, and chin up.
Yet, when he took her hand in his and felt the cool metal slipped onto her finger, she was trembling.
Evelyn gently pulled her hand away and cleared her throat in an attempt to declutter her mind and emotions.
It did not work.
“I will message you soon,” Evelyn promised as she placed her hand on his cheek and tip toed to kiss him gently on the lips.
Once she pulled away, she looked at Thirteen who had been surprisingly quiet this whole time.
“Come along.”
BUDD-E made a swooning noise, then appropriately gave what could only be described as a droid fist bump to Thirteen before both it and Evelyn left the ship.
Before Anders had a chance to go find Draca, however, a message came through on the intercom.
“Vice-Chancellor Anderson, the Shadow Lady wishes to speak with you.”
He rolled his eyes. There was no doubt in his mind what that was about.
Unfortunately, Draca would have to wait a little bit longer.