Nar Shaddaa

Aphrs message to Baesel couldn't really have been more vague. It was simply asking to see her, and she followed the directions given once they arrived. She stood in the gardens, not really looking around, a distant expression on her face.

The togruta would have been visible earlier by the montrals jutting our of the hedge but she was there as soon as she could. Baes seemed happy at first but gre concerned as she noticed Pinky's demeanor

''Aphr? How are you?''

It took Aphr two steps to get to Baesal, and in the blink of an eye she had moved there and just wrapped her arms round the taller woman, hugging her wordlessly.

Baesal returned the hug warmly

"What's wrong Pinky? Did something happen?"

Aphr nodded her head, not letting Baes go initially. "I screwed up" she said in a muffled tone

She patted her on the head with a soft smile

"Me too, want to talk about it?"

"Not here" she said with a shake of her head "not in the open."

She looked around and nodded

"We could go on the kitchen and dig in Master Thun's cookies or we could go to my room"

There was a small shrugging motion. "I just don't want to talk where others will listen."

"The kitchen then. It should be empty at this hour and I will not let you sob on an empty stomach"

She put her arm around Aphr's shoulder to lead her to it

"Come on."

With a nod, Aphr allowed Baes to guide her to the kitchen.

The kitchen was on the small side but seemed apt to serve the enclave. It was indeed empty and Baes took a cookie jar from the cupboards to but it on a small table where they could sit

"What is the problem?"

"I screwed up. Really screwed up" Aphr said quietly, sitting down on a chair "I...I don't know what to say. I feel lost. I let a vile woman influence me...and then when i was needed in a desperate mission I did nothing to help."

Baesal opened the cookie jar and offered one to the distressed twilek. After listening she reached to take her hand

"I am sorry to hear that Aphr. I take that the woman is Zhorrid...what did she do?"

Aphr looked at the cookie, accepting it but not eating it immediately. She spoke though.

"The saber is finished. I...tested it on her command."

Baes takes a cookie as well but does not look away from her

"Something bad happened, right?"

Aphr sighed. "It was on a chained up slaver that she kept locked up."

She squeezed the twilek's hand

"I am not surprised...I can imagine how you must feel"

"I don't know how I should feel. I don't know what to do...I'm lost" Aphr closed her eyes. No matter how many times she repeated that, it only felt more true

''I know...that is perfectly normal.'' she replied softly

''She wants you to feel that way, they want you to question who you are so that they can more easily break you and mold you to their liking...I know because I passed through that as well.''

Baesal moved closer to hold Pinky in her arms

''Remember what I told you when we got the pieces for the lightsaber...You have to know yourself and your core strenght''

Aphr leaned into Baes, sighing gently. "I remember, and I thought I knew my core strength...but I was overwhelming with the moment and exhaustion from working...it just feels like excuses for weakness now. I don't know what to do anymore. I can't face her again, I don't want to, but she'll take it out on Moyr..."

She understand where she was comming from "That is conundrum"

"But you are not safe...Zhorrid told us once that she would kill you if we did not bring her something she asked...by having you around she can also use you as an hostage."

She pauses

"Choices are rarely clear but even if if you made a mistake, you can always make up for it. Just take tour time."

"She did what?" Aphr sat up, eyes widened "when? I don't remember hearing about this from Moyr. That Zhorrid is..." she sighed "it doesn't matter, I can't do anything about her. I don't even think I can really help Moyr. I just...need to keep away from Zhorrid."

She smiled "It was a few days ago, don't worry about it"

She nods at her last words

"You can't help Moyr if you lose your own footing. What are you gonna do?"

"Cry into my pillow" she murmured, before a small sigh. "I'm going to see Moyr after this. I...don't know what I should do, or what I should say to her. I love her, she is my sister and she is the most important person to me...but I'm afraid."