Hoth: Blood and Ice

[Sylvain Torsin]

“I personally have tired of it… So many times I killed him… I no longer derive any joy from fighting him.” He replied.

[Luth Khalan]

She sighed. "It's not exactly a happy memory."

"... I don't think I'll be able to do it alone."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“Whatever it is that needs to be done. I will be there to help you…” He replied and moved his hand to her cheek.

[Luth Khalan]

She leaned into his hand, closing her eyes. "I know. I trust you, no matter what."

Smiling a little, she added. "Except with snow fields. I don't think you're allowed near those anymore. With a probationary exception for Ziost."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He laughed softly, “I think I’m done with them too… Unless accompanied by the proper guide.”

[Luth Khalan]

She laughed a little. "Good."

"Have you decided what you're going to do from now on? If we manage to defeat the Eternal Empire and whatnot?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

"Hopefully something... better. Arymis is still young... And the Dark already has such a strong grasp on her... I don't want to send her to Korriban."

He looked up, "There's part of me that wishes we don't defeat the Eternal Empire too soon... That the Republic and Empire will change enough to have some measure of choice that we haven't previously had..."

He looked back to her, "To be with the people we want... and live the way we would want."

He chuckled once through his nostrils, "But I did not see that future... One with both that and not an Eternal Empire. Though I hope it to be possible still."

[Luth Khalan]

"I understand not wanting to send a child to Korriban," she replied quietly. "It's natural that a Dark vergence isn't going to show you all of the possibilities. Layne may well be right, and someone will come after to defeat them. I just don't like leaving our messes for our children to clean up."

"Freedom is kind of a matter of what you're willing to give up, in the end, though. For as wrapped up as the Sith are in breaking chains... they were never locked to begin with. Or maybe there's another possibility we haven't thought of. The future is a vast ocean of possibilities. It's dangerous, but it also fills me with hope."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“What is it you hope for… Your dream future? If you could have everything just the way you want it…” He asked.

[Luth Khalan]

She pulled one leg up onto the seat, resting her chin on her knee with her arms wrapped around her leg. Looking into space, she said, "In an ideal future, I'd like to see the Empire freed from the suffering and cycles of abuse that bring harm to so many people there. There's so much fear and pain there, on every level. But they're truly entrenched. They were cycles Vitikorian built to last. Say what you want about the rest of him, but the man could build institutions. Too bad his goals were so awful."

"I just want to be able to help people and put my all into it, without betraying anyone or being betrayed. I want to be with my children and find out who they'll become someday. I want to be with you."

"I considered, at one time, whether I should just go find somewhere else, outside of the Republic and Sith, and try to create something new."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“Considered…? But elected against because…?” He asked.

[Luth Khalan]

"I didn't think I had the capability to build something like that," she admitted.

[Sylvain Torsin]

“You won’t have to do it alone…” He said intently.

[Luth Khalan]

"I've seen the inside of the Republic and the Empire now... and I have a sense that I've learned something about building things. I... feel more confident now," she said, looking into his eyes. "It would mean giving up a lot, though, for a dream that might not work out."

"... I also don't know if that thought is me just wanting to run away from problems again, either."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“I can’t say that with all we’ve been through that urge to run away isn’t all that bad…” He replied.

“What the days ahead bring I do not know… But part of me hopes for rest… A well-deserved and peaceful one.”

[Luth Khalan]

"Between not wanting them to go to Korriban and that... are you thinking of leaving the Empire regardless after this?" She asked gently, taking his hand. "Or at least dialing back your involvement?"

[Sylvain Torsin]

“We’ll see what’s left of the Empire after all this… I’ve seen it fall hundreds of times… Some of the impact is taken away after seeing it burn with such frequency.”

He looked off, “I could be a part of building something new perhaps… A place better for your children and mine… Already there is no room for one of my girls… Something beyond the Empire or Republic. Whatever that means.”

[Luth Khalan]

"We could probably do that regardless of what happens here. It'll be even more important if the Eternal Empire has its way with the galaxy," she followed his gaze. Not at anything in particular, but just the same general area. "... Did you ever see anything like that? Something we built."

"Why is there no room for one of your girls?" Her heart went out to the idea, having lived a very long time feeling like there was no place for her in the galaxy.

[Sylvain Torsin]

"I saw our attempts..." He nodded. "That place was almost empty of the Light though... Only what I brought with me."

"We do good things... Have a measure of happiness. More than we've known. But ultimately it is always taken away... Or we run and run and run... And live but don't have the impact you are looking to make."

He smiled softly, "But... call me a fool. I refuse to believe what the Dark says is possible. In all my lives I haven't given up. And I don't intend to now either."

He kissed her on the top of her head before leaning back in his seat.

"As for Addison... The Empire we have now and her are incompatible. Just as her mother would have been were she still alive today..."

[Luth Khalan]

She smiled at that, listening to him. "Syl... I admire you so much. And I'm proud of you, and to be here with you. You went through so much without giving up. That by itself gives me hope."

"Your kids... No matter what other things happen, we'll find a way to help them. Mine, too."

[Sylvain Torsin]

He nodded affirmatively, "For our children."

He said it in the tone and cadence of the Empire's slogan... but replacing 'the Empire' with the thing that mattered most about the whole institution.

[Luth Khalan]

She smiled a little at that. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me to put it like that. You've definitely been their other parent in every way that matters."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“And would be as long as you would desire it.” He replied.

[Luth Khalan]

She was silent for a long time. "Syl... If you had your ideal situation, how would you want things to be? In life, but... also between us."

[Sylvain Torsin]

“Fewer obstacles…” He replied after a deep moment of introspection.

“Together would be the easiest way to describe it.”