Hoth: Blood and Ice

Luth flew the Nighthawk out again in the early evening. He undoubtedly needed a pickup by now. She settled it down despite the wind and snow just outside the place, and left the ship, heading over the open the door. "Syl?"

A few moments pass before his footsteps can be heard coming down the hall.

He eventually comes around a corner and up to the entrance.

"Come in. I have a space provided in here."

She came in quickly to minimize the amount of blizzard also entering. "Sticking around? I would've thought he'd be here and gone by now."

"You saw the way Baras left..." He said with a chuckle.

"I'd be surprised if he was right quick about it."

"Honestly." She ran a hand down her face. "People can't just do stuff. They have to get snippy about it."

"You have a strong affect on people Luth." He said with a smirk as they found the spare room Sylvain had spent some time in.

She sat, leaning against the wall. "Apparently." She was silent for a moment. "There probably would've been a fight. That's the only reason he even pretended to step it back."

"He's afraid of you. And in his weird way... cares for you. Wants you to kill him... and doesn't. So convoluted in his own mind." He replied.

"The other day he talked a lot about the Sith... life cycle, I guess you'd call it," she said. "About how apprentices eventually come for their masters. Things are coming to an end soon, one way or the other, I think."

"And are you ready for that?" He asked.

She took a deep breath and let it out. "Not for that reason. To free my children and free myself, he needs to die. To have a chance at a life in the light. Draahg needs to go down, too, maybe. He seems quiet, but he's a weasely little bastard, and aligned with the Emperor. He'd be dangerous if left to take on Baras resources. Do I need to take them on to keep things from spiraling out of control? Is following the Sith inevitable?"

“If you choose what is best for you and your kids… Men like Baras are going to try and stop you.” He replied.

“You take the actions on your own terms. He doesn’t get to define what a contest would mean… If you must confront him… do it for your reasons. Not his.”

"I want my freedom and our childrens' freedom, regardless of what choices come after. I don't want trillions of people to suffer the consequences of his hatred," she said, almost to herself, if it wasn't for her hand finding his.

“Then that is what it is for. Screw what he thinks.” He replied as he held her hand tightly.

"Yeah." she smiled. A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "I can think of a few people willing to help. I think it's best to start from stealth, though. Try to catch him with a shot, then let others move in."

“He is a cunning one…” Sylvain replied.

“It won’t be easy.”

"I know... But I have your amulet. And there are others who might be willing to help," she said, looking toward him. "I've decided not to take the easy path anymore. I'm not going to flag now."

"We're stronger together. Maybe we'll get to prove that."

He nodded, “I’ll follow your lead.”

She nodded. "Is it strange that I've felt more comfortable with people doing that, lately? Or just... taking the lead."

“Dark times bring out the greatness within great people. You are simply expressing that inner strength I know you have more openly.”

He smiled warmly, "It’s a good look on you. Suits you well.”