Pink is the New Red [LA2]

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr rolled her eyes. "Trust you to say that" she giggled "he is rather athletics, I'll give you that though!"

She nodded though as her sister explained.

"Such as these peace talks? I mean...peace is a lie, right? So why have the Sith agreed?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"There are many motivations. Some don't really want it but pay lip service to it because that's what their masters expect, or they don't want to cross Darth Xevious. Some think it's a good trick that would allow lulling the Republic into false sense of security so they can lower the guard and we can hit where it hurts. Some think we need a reprieve to regroup before the next phase of this inevitable war. The Jedi Order wants to exterminate the Sith, they got close when the last Sith Empire fell, so it's not like we're the only liars here. They are worse kind of liars though, they are hypocrites. We call vile things by their name. They obscur it in their self-righteousness to feel good." She frowned. "When I was taken off Ryloth, do you know who I was meant to be delivered to, and for what?"

[Aphr Ahaya]

"To be a sex slave" Aphr said to her question with a sigh "I know your fate Moyr, because after you escaped, they came back and took me. It was only because I was too much of a child for the man that I didn't suffer the fate intended for you. I've been a slave to the Hutts ever since."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"To a Senator on Coruscant no less, the capital of the regime that 'doesn't' condone slavery. And more likely a toy than a slave. I was meant to be discarded after being abused. Or whatever would be left of me by that point." The old, defiant rage fuelling her urge to claim bloody vengeance marred her feature. "I don't care for the Empire as much as some other Sith, but I think the Republic and the Hutts have to take a fall. The greatest obstacle to freedom is not the existence of evil regimes, but the deluded belief in the existence of good ones. Chaos would ensue, but it would break the chains for such as you and I."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Wouldn't the ensuring chaos cause more trouble though? The Hutts are no saints, and I hate slavery, but..." she frowned a little "what would take their place, something worse?"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Something different. What we have has existed for several thousand years. It has taken its turn, and has proved it's lack of capacity for self-correction." Her lips thinned. "That's my idea at least. Look back to Ryloth and I guess you'll know where I'm coming from with this. I hope it will revolt against the Hutts and joins Darth Hoshi's war."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"I understand your vision Moyr, I just...I don't think making an enemy of the Hutts would help the Sith. I've always been the more cautious one of us though" she chuckled "you always had big plans and grand visions. I admired that about you, even if I didn't always see how they would work."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Are you afraid of them, the Hutts?" Moyr asked without malice. "I had had many dealings with them before I became a Sith. I had been a smuggler for 4 years."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Afraid?" Aphr shook her head "I've been a slave to the Hutts for years. I don't fear them, but I have seen what they are able to do. Giving them a common enemy feels like inviting trouble."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"They have enslaved you mind to believe so. They can be dangerous, of course, but so are many others in the galaxy. I helped kill a Hutt and I live my life to tell the tale."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Perhaps..." Aphr mused, conceding that point "I have been a slave to them for so long. Although Xero is very different as Hutts go. I have much more freedom with the Starcross as long as I continue to work hard."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"I am glad you got lucky, dear. But luck can go only so far. If you miss the point when you have to take matters in your own hands, you'll be toast before you know it." She sighed. "There was a time I relied on Shang too much. When a moment came for me to stand on my own, I barely made it."

[Aphr Ahaya]

There was a nod of understanding. "I...wish to be able to free myself, to follow where this path takes me. I want to understand the force."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Good." Moyr squeezed Aphr's arm gently. "I'm glad to see you back, you know? You've grown up nicely." She grinned. "You're almost as beautiful as I am."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"What do you mean almost" Aphr returned the grin "I'm happy to see you too. I...I really wanted to try and find you, but it was a needle in a haystack as I thought you'd get as far away from anywhere I knew as you could."

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr sighed. "For most of the time after Ryloth I made a point in being unreachable for anyone who would chase me. But then, Korriban happened. I no longer feel the need the urge to run." She bopped Aphr's nose. "Almost is almost."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"And now you face your troubles head-first with the strength and determination that I remember well" Aphr commented with a smile "and even taking the finding of your younger and much lovelier sister in your stride as well!"

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Yes." Moyr sighed, relenting to something inside her. Her face relaxed, showed some tiredness underneath. "It's been a bit lonely where I am sometimes though." She sighed, stroking Aphr's lek. "To be indifferent about any and all is to cut the source of strength my power is predicated upon. I have to feel, and feel strongly. Ideals are important, but they are sometimes not enough. There must be people to relate to with passion of whatever colour. Until we met yesterday, I had felt I had lost almost all of them."

[Aphr Ahaya]

"Moyr..." Aphr looked down, saddened by her sister's pain, and instead of speaking for the moment leaned forward and hugged her sister. Eyes closed, just allowing her sister the few moments she clearly needed.

"I'll be here for you" she whispered after a short while "I promise."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"It's not in your power to decide as you're bound to someone else's will. Until you make it to be in your power you may not be keeping that promise." Moyr squeezed back, reaching out with her lekku to tangle with those of her sister. "But I appreciate your intention, dear."

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr knew Moyr was right. She had already weighed that up though, and replied "I'll make it in my power to decide though" simply as her lekku wrapped round Moyrs "don't worry. I just need to...find a way."

[Moyr Ahaya]

"Yes, you do, darling. The only person that can win you freedom is you." Moyr held her little sister in tight embrace, breathing deeply but evenly.

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr allowed the silence to continue for a while longer, happily hugging her sister. Eventually though, it had to end, and Aphr moved away slightly to look at Moyr. "What time are we expected to go and see her tonight?" she didn't need to mention the woman by name.

[Moyr Ahaya]

Moyr agreed to the separation with a nod. It was time. When has been the last time she had felt comfort like this? Probably on Yavin, briefly. But she had been wounded, drugged, drunk and high on love that wasn't, so it didn't really count. She opted for a 'long time ago' in her mind.

"Around midnight, in the Imperial Compound. I'll find you by the gate."

[Aphr Ahaya]

Aphr nodded, a small smile. "I'll look out for you then. I can't say I'll be looking forward to it, but we can get through it I'm sure. Whatever she tries, I'll be ready for it."