ᵀʰᵉ ᶠᵃˡˡᵉᶰ

yoυ αre тнe word тнe word ιѕ DESTROY ( PRIVATE Kylo Ren RP)

[reyofsands]

"....But I..." Her mind was racing again, feeling his presence so close to hers, and the Force driving them even closer with that near-invasive level of connection it had between them. The will to breathe was so difficult, but she remembered that she could only when he spoke again. This was so much to take in, but even with all the help of her friends no one was going to know exactly what she was going through. Her gaze drifted down, briefly, thinking hard on her last encounter with a mentor she thought would be for her.

"Luke didn't want me... because he was afraid. Said I reached for the darkness too quick, too easily. Told me to leave him alone, and so I did... but..." At just the thought of how she felt during all of that, of wanting to be the best for the likes of the Legend himself. For all of it to be turned down in the harshest of ways?? Not even Leia could console her on those feelings, when she discussed it with her over holo, before setting off with Finn and the others to this place. What other real choice did she have here? It wasn't like he was being violent with this offer, and yet some partial guilt was eating at her.

"I can't just leave them..." Her worries were mainly for her friends, and knew that they would not approve of this choice; one she was still heavily deciding on. Finn will hate me...they all will... was her main concern flooding her mind.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

He saw the doubt in her eyes and immediately seized onto it. "But that's just what you did when you sought out Luke, is it not? Except this time, you aren't being turned away." He leaned in a bit, his eyes boring into hers. "You know that deep down you want this. Why keep running from it?"

His voice was still soft, though there was an obvious urgency to it, one he was trying to curb. Yet it was impossible to mask his desperation, his longing to take her as a pupil. Was this a desire to connect with a force user that hadn't simply been trying to control him, or was it some way to prove himself? To prove that he could be the teacher Luke wasn't. "Please. Just give me that chance, Rey." There was a flash of vulnerability in the eyes that just minutes ago had been filled with malice. A mask that was slipping, despite any intentions Kylo had set out with.

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

"Kylo..." Her eyes were up on his and there was such a great hesitance in her very being, knowing that she could easily just go along with him. To take this chance to find out more about herself, and the Force as a whole. He really wasn't wrong with that, and a part of her wondered if her dreams were really seeping out that easily enough to be picked up by the likes of him. Is the Force pulling me towards his path? It must be...but!!--

"You're just trying to trick me." She couldn't even believe her own words, and the way her brows scrunched together indicated that she was in such huge denial over his offer for help. He looked so genuine, and she hated that. "I can control myself enough to not hurt any of them." Her lip was quivering with emotion, despising that part of herself that wanted to go with him. "You can't manipulate me!"

@destruxi

[destruxi]

Kylo's eyes never left hers. "You don't believe that, though, do you? I can hear it--feel it." He reached up so that his hand was hovering inches away from her temple. "You're scared. It's frightening to be alone, isn't it?" Unlike before, his tone was not menacing. It was soft and genuine. Even he was surprised to hear himself speaking so candidly.

After all, he too had been afraid for most of his youth. Lost and looking for his place, never finding it among peers or even his own parents. He was ultimately led down his path by someone wiser. Someone now gone. So was he lost again? A voice in the back of his head had been asking that for some time now, and always he shut it out. Right now was no different. "I can show you how to conquer that fear, to make it serve you rather than keep you up at night."

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

Rey's fire died down into utter confusion when he started to speak, and she was almost too caught up by all of his words. That calm voice, were this any other person, any other situation, would have been so reassuring and -- She cut that thought right out, trying to really focus on what he was actually saying to her. The urge to reach out and take his offer was right there, but she attempted to steel her nerves and get her senses back on straight. They were definitely not made of the best steel...

A small shake of her head, trying to make sense of her own feelings, but now everything seemed so strange. Even she couldn't truly disagree with him, to a small degree, because sometimes she did wonder if Finn or the others were terrified of her power. Whenever she was able to showcase it to save them, a look would appear on their faces; small, but noticeable enough. Was it really just being awestruck with her? It was difficult to tell.

Yet, here this one was... offering her the chance to be with someone who actually did know what she has gone through. Who can feel her hesitance like it were stamped all over her face. It was intoxicating, this craving for some kind of understanding, and she was trying her damnedest to not jump at this.

"I don't want anyone to fear me..."

@destruxi

[destruxi]

Something in his eyes flickered with--was it hunger or hope? Maybe those were one in the same. He kept his voice low and his expression similarly soft, his eyes never leaving her. "Then isn't that all the more reason to learn? Ask yourself what you really know about your powers--about the Force. What Luke told you? What you've dreamt?"

He took one last step closer, leaving hardly anything between them. "Just come with me, and see what I can offer you. There's nobody else left or willing to teach you..." Or us, he thought wryly. "Unless you just want to go back to your friends and wait until that unchecked power finally explodes and hurts somebody." Didn't he know that all too well.

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

"...?" Rey didn't realize there was even a bounty out for her, as none in the Resistance even told her. Maybe it was for the better. It was enough of a surprise that it left her momentarily speechless, and then a glare was back on her face whenever he mentioned the rest. It had her blood boiling to know he was just so smug about all of this.

"I don't care what you all want. You're never going to find them. So, go ahead. Put a higher mark on my head. I'll just lead every hunter far away from the others, or deal with them myself." It was all talk, because she knew that other major players in the Resistance were nearby on this planet. Even if she could get a moment to radio them again, it made her wonder if they would make it out of orbit. For all she knew Kylo hadn't come alone, and her mind was starting to race with nervous energy.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

There was such a cruel amusement in his eyes as he listened. "Never find out? I already know. You know what it's like, Rey, to feel living things, events...the Force is something stronger than those so-called friends of yours could ever comprehend. If they knew the extent of the power that you could wield, they would fear you."

He took a step closer, towering over her smaller frame. "And maybe they should." Something more somber entered his expression, his eyes flickering over her. "Let me teach you. Let me show you that side that Luke would never dare let you know of. You wouldn't have to be afraid, to feel lost. Not anymore."

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

Rey gave the area a look around, surprised he actually did let her wrist free, and she then pointed to an alleyway that was way more secluded. It was still with view of passerby's, if they chose to look down this spot. With a sharp glare, she finally looked up at him and pointed a finger. "Just who do you think you are? Still hounding me, after all this time? Does the First Order have nothing better to do? Or is some potential... Jedi, or whatever you'd call me, really that much of a problem for you all?" She was just talking his ear off, hoping it would aggravate him to no end, and maybe then he would finally call off this hunt.

"It was you who killed Snoke. Not me. But they probably don't know that, do they? Or would they even care... You're far more intimidating, when in one of your moods." She finally eased off just a little, and took a step back from him. Her nervousness, and in knowing it was more than just her they were all after. The Resistance always being the number one issue, she'd guess it.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

Indeed, her blathering on was annoying him to no end. His lip curled as he just barely kept himself from barking at her to be quiet, yet he held out for once (if only to prove expectations wrong). Finally, she stopped and he all too quickly responded. "No, they don't know. In fact, they think that it was you." A sickening smile touched his lips. "The most wanted girl this side of the galaxy, it's almost an honor isn't it? For a nobody like you."

He glanced to the side, seeing that no one was really taking much of an interest in them. In a way, she was safer here...unless somebody recognized the so-called Jedi with a handsome bounty on her head. "But it isn't all about you, of course. You know full well what we're after." His dark eyes locked with hers, and his fingers twitched at his side.

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

"Uh, well... as long as I could, really." She shrugged a shoulder, acting like this was all completely fine, and most definitely not enjoying being nearly dragged off by his strong grip. His power was incredible, and at this close distance she could feel their connection was even more present. It was nearly overbearing how her feelings and his were intermingling, and on an aggressively personal level. She could sense his excitement as if it were her own, and her anger towards herself at being so easily caught.

"...And it's not my fault! I can't control what the Force wants to put out there!" That imagery of her old memory being shared between them, and she had to try to block it out with anything else, like the greenery of a forest-y planet. Finn or Poe laughing. Anything was better than the awful feeling of said abandonment, and she was viciously trying to hold on to those lighter times. "Let GO of me!" She finally demanded in a tone nearly petulant-sounding, trying to wrench her wrist free.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

Kylo simply did as she asked, releasing his grip on her. She wasn't likely to run right now, he felt---and he could feel everything right now. He was conscious, however, of the fact that it could go both ways if he wasn't careful. His own emotions had to be kept in check (something he famously struggled with) or else they would bleed into the mess that was Rey's thoughts right now. From her, flashes of people and places--some familiar to him and some not--were rushing through their connection. His lip curled for just a second before he faced forward.

"Just calm down." His tone was measured. "We'll talk somewhere else. Take your pick." Ahead of them was no shortage of flashing neon lights beckoning passersby to partake in every manner of vice. All of them were sure to be packed, giving both the privacy of being lost in a crowd and perhaps the illusion of security to the other.

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

Rey was just as startled to almost quite literally bump into him, not realizing he had been that close. Her paranoia and fear must have blocked out the part where she should've been paying more attention to her senses. These were things that Luke and Leia had been trying to teach her more of, focusing on the present, and not of the possible 'ifs'.

Now she was forced to do nothing but listen, and was so aggravated that he knew she'd do everything to avoid anyone getting hurt over her actions. Her gaze locked with his, a glare on her face and a silent nod while she contemplated what to even do in this situation. "... Fancy meeting you here." She'd try to play it casual, as though they weren't enemies pitted against one another, and intending to keep any surrounding ears from noticing the discomfort.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

He smiled widely, enough to narrow his eyes, and there was a clear sense of victory in it. 'Got you.' It seemed to say. But he spoke no words at first, simply keeping hold of her wrist and practically dragging her away from the bar she'd just rushed out of. Once further down the street, he began to talk in a low voice.

"You've been running for quite a while. How long did you really think that you could keep it up?" He inclined his head to cast a sidelong glance at her. "Do you forget how easily I can sense you? Your mind practically screams out in the force. It's so loud, as if begging for somebody to come for you." There was a smirk visible beneath his hood, and he recalled the images of her watching a ship fly away, the feeling of abandonment.

@reyofsands

[reyofsands]

"... No..." She muttered under her breath, hardly audible to anyone but herself. Disbelief on her face as she hardly could - actually no, wrong, she definitely could believe this - but the fact that this guy was really hounding her was just annoying, if anything else. It was annoying and utterly terrifying. Alright. This actually was many things at once, and she was wanting no part of it. Thankfully, she had told Finn and Poe to meet her elsewhere on the planet, at a specific time.

With the comm up to her mouth, she quickly spoke into it, telling them that she'd be super delayed, and hung up real fast. Right now, it was just about needing to escape this place without being seen, but she completely felt his presence was nearing, like ice right down her spine. So, of course she paid immediately for her food and just ran off into the crowd of people, hoping to find some skiff to sail out of here.

@destruxi

[destruxi]

To the naked eye he was just another hooded figure on the street, head bowed and steps hurried. To her, however, he would be like some great shadow cast over the city. His aura oozed through the alleyways, reaching out with writhing tendrils for any taste of her presence. He knew that he was drawing closer, and she wouldn't be able to run forever.

In fact, she almost ran right into him. He sensed it before he saw it, yet lightning-fast his hand reached out to grab her wrist tightly. Kylo yanked her forward and leaned down close to her ear. "Make a scene and you'll watch the nearest civilians fall to my saber. Unless you don't care." He sounded hungry, as if wanting her to call his bluff so that he could deliver on it.

@reyofsands

[destruxi]

The thing that made rats and roaches pests was that they could hide. They could scurry around unseen, carrying their disease from one place to the next, virtually undetectable. That was unless, of course, you were sensitive to the Force. Not much could hide from you then, least of all such vermin.

She could scuttle about as she liked, but Rey was not as untraceable as she seemed to think herself. From ship to ship and planet to planet he'd followed her trail and finally found himself in this remote sector. It was an industrial town with a seedy stretch of bars and other establishments designed to distract the overworked population. On this dark and starless night, he pushed through the crowd and kept his mind focused on feeling her presence amidst the chaos of the city streets.

Come out, little mouse...

@reyofsands

[destruxi]

yournewempire‌:

While the two slept, dreams were invaded by something downright wrong, but all of it was targeted on the young Solo. It was like a wisp of thought, tickling the back of the boy’s thoughts, and preying on his lingering doubts. Flashes of various council members were seen, and more importantly was Luke’s disappointed expression. Each of the members turned away from him in disgust, if he were to look their way. “Shameful… so shameful… You’ll never be able to live up to their expectations.” Whispered a playful voice in his mind. It was the same woman from before, who had hurt his friend with ease.

That same memory of Cal choking appeared. This time it was worse, and he was seen tugging at the invisible fingers on his throat, pleading eyes looking into the other’s. “B–ben– ! Please!” His face was turning all shades of purple and blue, before the strain of it’s powerful vice finally had him keeling over into a heavy slump. Ben would look over, most likely distraught with his actions, with his arm outstretched from the attack he’d see her form right next to him. Rey’s bright eyes locked with his, a grin playing on her pale features. “You will be their undoing, Ben Solo… And you will love it, just like me…”

| @destruxi |

By this point, it wasn’t anything new for Ben’s dreams to slowly become warped by something unseen and unknown. Like mist, it usually took no form yet was undeniably present. This time, however, the visions before him were more vivid than ever. He felt his stomach sink as the council looked on him with a disappointment he’d always imagined they’d felt towards him. The voice, thought not his own, spoke words he had told himself over and over.

Those doubts were only torn away by the memory of what had happened just hours prior. His friend in dire need, and him unable to stop it. He saw his hand outstretched, but not to help...he was hurting Cal, it was his fault. Ben’s pulse raced with adrenaline and his brow beaded with cold sweat. She was right, he had always known in some way he would bring only misfortune upon the order. But no, he would not love it, he wanted it to go away, he wanted--

“STOP!” His yell broke the silence of the shared quarters, and jolted Ben straight out of his sleep. He sat, wide eyed and panting as his mind struggled to trudge its way out of the nightmare and back into reality. Still, the worry was too fresh. “Cal?” He called, softer, looking around the dark of the room.

[ @yournewempire ]

[destruxi]

futurespacess‌:

Metallic limbs strode forward with heavy steps, and it’s head swiveled around as it paused to look back at the Master it had come to acquire not too long ago. The circumstances could not be any stranger. It felt the need to reflect on what transpired just days prior, as he was still trying to get used to the immense layout of one of their large vessels…

The both of them had been in a heated bit of conflict, vying for the other’s life. His body had been mostly resistant to the attacks of the other’s crimson blade, spots still singed from their encounter, but the both of them had wound up in a place on the world that had them surrounded in treacherous danger. There didn’t seem to be a way out, as they had fallen into quite a deep pit, where several places in the rocky walls were crumbling. In an unfortunate mishap on his part when falling, some of these massive chunks of rock had landed on his leg, and more was on it’s way to land on the rest of his form.

Though, as if a sudden change in their situation, whether it was to continue their fight or what, the human had decided to use a power he’d never witnessed before; And thus the rocks never landed on him, but off to the side in some wonderful show of power. This had been enough for ‘Robot’, as he was referred to by this one and others, to cease with the fighting. He concluded that his life had been spared, due to some motive of the other, seeing the way he handled himself during combat must’ve changed the human’s mind. This was all that Robot needed to give his unspoken pledge to the being, and now he was staring at said Master with curiosity and wonder on where they were headed to next.

| @destruxi |

Kylo hadn’t exactly known what to make of the creature when they’d happened upon it during their raid of a nearby village. Phasma, however, wasn’t keen to let it live, if there was even the slightest chance that it may be important to the Resistance. Having no real reason to argue, Ren engaged the droid in combat and was surprised to see that it was oddly resilient to his lightsaber’s blade. He had already begun to wonder if there would be worth in bringing it back to the ship, when their fight was interrupted by a nearby avalanche.

He flung his hand outward, stopping the bulk of the projectiles in their tracks and letting them instead drop to the base of the slope where they now sat. With the robot free, Kylo informed Phasma of the change of plans. He could sense tension even through that thick chrome armor, but she put up no argument and they lead the robot into the ship. Once back on base, he led the newcomer to his quarters. He stood to face it, looking it over. “Well, can you speak?”

[ @futurespacess ]

[destruxi]

yournewempire‌:

   “Dreams… Oh, those dreams…” Cal knew of them alright, and knew that this couldn’t have been a coincidence that they ran right into something from right out of them. He could feel Ben’s irritation, and the tension was thick as he stood up to watch him pace. “Yeah, they will probably. This is all just insane! So what does this mean? That every time someone wants to go on a mission, they have to watch their backs, or some crazy woman will come after them? Where did she even come from?? I wonder who her Master is??” He had so many questions, and knew that Ben wasn’t going to be able to answer any of them, but felt like getting them out into the open. This was still so fresh, and he had the wound to prove that it wasn’t his imagination. “Ben, you know I’ll be there with you when we see the Council. There’s no reason to worry.”

| @destruxi​ |

“If she even has a master...she said that she was taught by many.” Ben mused, thinking over what he could remember of their exchange. It was difficult, when his mind was still reeling from her cold and unwelcome touch. Still, he tried to focus on the present, the way that Luke advised. “I know, but the Council has a way of delivering verdicts that suit their mood. Let’s hope that they’re happy today.”

As it turned out, Ben had little reason to worry. The council was as much in the dark as they were about the girl’s identity, and were more concerned with identifying her than scolding the two for any reason. That night, he hoped to put the matter behind him, settling into bed and hoping that she might lay low for a time after her failure to capture him. Unfortunately his hopes were rarely rewarded...

[ @yournewempire ]

[destruxi]

yournewempire‌:

Cal was sitting as still as he could, while Ben went to work in trying to patch up the gash on his head. He felt utterly miserable, and confused at the emotions he was feeling from the other, which had him turning slightly to glance at Ben. “Sorry? Ben, this wasn’t your fault… How were we supposed to know we’d get jumped by some strange darksider??”

He turned fully around to stare at him, hoping that he’d see just how alright he was, keeping his expression serious. “Ben… Do you know who that was? She seemed incredibly strong. No, I mean, felt like it.” He shivered at the power he felt just a few minutes ago, cutting off the air to his lungs. “Do you think Master Skywalker knows?”

| @destruxi |

Cal was right, of course. He always had a way of calmly cutting through the storm that seemed to overtake Ben’s mind in an instant. Still, the feelings would not so easily subside and he was happy to distract himself with the questions posed by his fellow knight.

“I’ve never seen her before,” He said, truthfully, yet hesitation parted his lips again. “But...I think that I’ve...felt her. In dreams.” Cal knew the dreams, the ones that had set him running into the room thinking there was danger, only to find a wide-eyed Ben entangled in sweaty sheets. “I don’t think that Luke knows, but I suppose we’ll be finding out. They’ll want to know everything...” He folded his arms, beginning to pace. He was glad to be away from the nightmarish situation, but facing the Council was a tribulation all its own.

[ @yournewempire ]

[destruxi]

reyofsands‌:

Rey was grinning at the desperation on the boy’s face as he struggled to find air in his lungs, and was reveling in the burst of intense emotion from the one fighting her. With a quick glance, her blade was brought up to just stop the other’s from singing her clothes, a hair too close. Her gaze slowly drifted back to him, and Cal was able to gasp in large amounts of oxygen from the distraction caused by Ben.

Rey’s expression was nearly blank, a hint of surprise was in her more minute features, the slightest crease of her brow as she tried to piece it together as to why he interfered with her entertainment. She knew why, of course, but was still trying to process why he cared for it. “Fine… I suppose you were right. It looks like I’ll be leaving by myself, this time.” She hissed her words, before using the Force to push Ben backwards. Cal yelled hoarsely and scrambled to go over to him, as Rey sunk back to the shadows and out.

| @destruxi​ |

Ben knew that it was futile to give chase, and he had other matters on his mind. He was relieved to see Cal very much alive, if shaken. Immediately, he turned his attention towards getting the two of them back onto the ship in one piece, which luckily didn’t prove too difficult. At his own insistence, Ben got them into the air and into hyperspace unaided. Once they were surrounded by the silence of it, he turned to Cal and looked him over. 

“Are you sure you’re alright?” He asked, already leaving his seat to retrieve the small medkit from its place. He could see, at the very least, a nasty wound where Cal’s head had met the stone wall. He began to clean it carefully, stomach turning at the sight. It wasn’t the shock of gore, but rather the realization of how badly things could have gone had Rey made good on her promise to take him. “I’m sorry.” The words left on instinct, as his mind raced. I could have done more to stop it, I should have insisted, I should have...his thoughts congealed into one ugly mass of guilt and anger, one he tried to swallow as best as he could.

[ @yournewempire ]

[destruxi]

rarepokcmon‌:

As Robotnik was fully prepared to talk the other’s ear off, in order to sate his endless curiosities over wherever he had managed to end up in this strange new place; There was a sensation that stopped him mid-word, and it felt like he had been choking on air. If it was air, or some sudden reaction to an unknown substance in the air, the Doctor immediately clutched his throat. He looked at the other, seeing his hand was raised, and had been raised up right before this feeling started to happen.

Robotnik heard him speak, hated it, but nodded all the same. He would do anything to get this to stop. “-h–How–?! wh–” He tried to gasp out any words, anything to voice his questions, but it wasn’t happening. This had to be from this strange being’s doing, he quickly concluded. There was a certain sort of smugness in that filtered tone, another thing he didn’t like, that was his only hint of a clue. Did he stick me with something, when I wasn’t looking?? Thoughts were running wild, trying to figure out what had suddenly stricken him.

| @destruxi |

Kylo was pleased to see confusion mar the previously condescending smirk on the ‘doctor’s’ face. He was also pleased to hear little more than gasped chokes in lieu of his rambling. Still, all good things must come to an end, and he wasn’t quite done with this one yet. As suddenly as it had begun, his hand fell to his side, and so too did the prisoner fall to the floor.

“I am Kylo Ren, commander of the First Order, and as far as I’m concerned you are nothing but our prisoner. Remember that every privilege we grant you can be taken away at any moment. Including your life.” He paced closer, slowly, before speaking again. “So I’ll ask you, once more. Do. You. Understand?”

[ @rarepokcmon ]

[destruxi]

reyofsands‌:

Rey focused on their fight, using her aggravation over sensing his defensive emotions to spur her on with such viciousness in her strikes. She parried his moves with a swiftness that someone untrained wouldn’t have been able to avoid, unscathed. Quickly into their fight she noticed that he was well-beyond what she had expected, but the loud hum of her erratic saber blocked out the minute surprise on her face. It was a threat to the both of them, but she knew how to tame it’s blade, and kept on going with her attacks.

The question had her pause, and lock eyes with him as they took a breather to seize one another up. “… Many… And this is too fair a fight, don’t you agree?” Her gaze flicked to the boy still on the floor, and she raised her hand up to summon the power in her fingertips. Suddenly, Cal was sitting up and gasping for air, clutching his throat desperately. “Why don’t we add a little spice into it? The poor boy…” She was too focused on giving the other pain, leaving her momentarily distracted.

| @destruxi​ |

They seemed to have reached the same opinion simultaneously. Neither had known what to expect, and it seemed so convenient that they found themselves evenly matched. While Ben was shocked by the fury of her blows, they left little room for any feints. Her movements were clear and deliberate, and thus predictable. Yet they were strong enough to keep him on his toes at all times.

Her vague answer hardly had time to register in his mind, as she moved on to a different sort of attack. Ben’s heart sunk as he heard the gasping of his awoken friend. He glanced back only a moment, just long enough to catch the desperation on Cal’s face, before swiftly moving towards her to strike furiously at her side. “Let him GO!”

[ @reyofsands ]

[destruxi]

reyofsands‌:

   “…….” Her silence was thick in the air, and the tension was muddled right in the center of it, but her expression said it all. She was pissed. It was like something pretty dangling before her, yet she wasn’t allowed to get near or grab it. He was the one forcing her to finally reveal the weapon of her own make, and the hilt was immediately unhooked from her belt from somewhere hidden in here dark robes.

   “No need to force it…” The violent hum of a lightsaber was heard, and it’s blood-red coloration matched the streaks of red that lined the walls around them. Yet, it’s blade wasn’t like anything that this Jedi may have possibly ever seen, cracked, fringed on all the edges, like it were to explode at any given second; And there were two. One for each side of her hilt, that snapped out to unhinge itself into an even deadlier weapon. “But I am not leaving, until you’re back with me on my ship, Jedi…”

| @destruxi​ |

Ben wasn’t sure what he had expected from her, but a lightsaber had not even crossed his mind. Had she been a Jedi once? Yet the blade (or rather, blades) was like nothing he had ever seen. The red rays protruding from either end of the hilt were ragged and irregular, as though it was a blaster bolt frozen mid-fire. He felt his chest tighten, but his saber didn’t lower an inch.

“Then I guess you won’t be leaving.” Ben growled, lunging forward to strike for her exposed side. He was well trained, sure, but he had no idea what her own training had entailed. That, and he had never gone up against such a saber. After a few parries, he shot a question at her, even if he doubted she would answer. “Who taught you?” 

[ @reyofsands ]