#nemore'xiel is my chiss cipher nine btw

[arcann]

Summer and Forest for Diokos? :0

— Forest

His name spoken by a voice, like a song long forgotten, chases him to the woods. And he flees from her like a coward, just as she did long ago.

More often than not he found his parents in the two polar opposites of his life and nothing good came from approaching one side or the other, despite their physical absence. He had been stuck in the middle for decades, directionless, letting others take him where they wanted because when he alone took off these sort of things would happen.

He would get lost. That deep seated sadness, born of his isolation during childhood, would catch up to him and constrict itself to his chest like a tether. He would have to accept how lonely he had felt lately. He would feel vulnerable. And he was being chased.

The foot soldiers were afraid of the forest that surrounded the base built on Odessen’s largest continent. From what Diokos had heard, they weren’t the ones who built the foundations of this place; a special task force quickly established a base, an imitation of well known Republic models built in forested areas and when their troops arrived there was enough built to keep what roamed around them wary. 

But those beings were still there. Watching, stalking, measuring them. The sith didn’t waste time in building fear of the outer wilds, making up fantasies that would keep a steady income of discomfort that could fuel their strength or help them flaunt their power. The jedi tried to quell their rivals’ hearsay but the few who went out to explore and try to commune with the planet’s energy came back defeated, many times injured and reluctant to share their tales. Force user or not, one could feel the eyes of something well hidden in the shadowy roots of the forest.

Then the mandalorians arrived en masse. Ten or twenty members of different clans became entire squads eager for action between battles and they had explored the wilds despite the recent myths and the considerable accidents they were forewarned about. In just a few weeks they had compiled a catalog of the animals that roamed around and the tricks they had pulled on them. All the specimens seemed empowered with some kind of force, making them more ferocious and clever. Shit similar to Dromund Kaas they described it, for the lack of xenozoologists in the army. Some clans shared their information, some didn’t. 

Nemore’xiel told him none of it was worth their losses. The Alliance was fine with their tall tales, it kept everyone focused. They wouldn’t be here for long and the animals would soon take the base back for themselves. Some troopers wanted to take hunting trips for a hobby, to return with something to show off back home. A waste of resources.

Now Diokos was here, experiencing first hand what this forest was like. It didn’t offer a view, it didn’t make space for him, it didn’t show him a discernable path. Every step he took he fought for it, against gnarled roots, long leaves, unsuspecting animals and the teeming force that spread all around him. He wasn’t wanted here since he refused so fiercely to be stopped. He pushed so fast and for so long through the forest he noticed he was being rejected well deep inside it, when the Alliance base had been completely hidden by the trees.

He was lost.

But then her voice called for him again, as if she knew exactly where he was. Too close for comfort and yet too far to feel safe, to feel like he could have those days back. The past where safety was still a possibility and not just a child’s dream, being lured to sleep by his mother’s lullabies as ashes fell outside their window.

No. He didn’t want anything that had left him behind, just as he didn’t want anything set in front of him. He refused to be caught.

He ran.

—

Now for something completely different lol

—

— Summer

Arcann leans on the handrail of the scaffolds, watching the crew of a small cargo ship load several boxes to their hold with fake interest. They’re laughing and pretending to fight each other, making them the noisiest lot in the Alliance’s spaceport. For a moment, Diokos thinks he’s going to drop down and attack them, the way he’s focused on their mundane activities but that scenario leaves his mind quickly. Despite the stories of his cruel treatment towards the Zakuulan palace’s staff becoming infamous, that would be pushing his luck too much for something as petty as an annoying group of friends. 

He doesn’t need his paranoia towards the man inciting his imagination to reach ridiculous levels. But he still doesn’t like the way the overthrown emperor glances back at him. He knew sith who used masks for a long time then became improperly expressive in the rare occasion they removed them, getting so used to the protection the metal hiding their face offered them. However, the man in front of him had lately taken off his own mask in front of him and even a few feet away Diokos still couldn’t figure out his intentions. 

“Tell me, how do you as a sith have fun?”

…what?

The question surprises Diokos and he catches himself before he becomes the one who lets his confusion show. He’s still not used to how different Arcann’s voice sounds without the voice modulator. Calm, almost mellow. Clearly bored.

He could make up a vague threat but he’s not in the mood to do so. They just finished an exploratory mission with very little results and the extensive questioning from their superiors that would soon follow would be much more tedious than the job itself. The worst part is not even done. He's just as bored as Arcann seems to be.

“As a sith? Oh, I drink all my friends under the table, what with my singular liver and all, then I win every game we play together. I've been known to play rough so I only fool around people who can keep up.” He makes a pause as Arcann’s healthy eye widens, turning his attention towards him instead of the noisy crew.

“Or do you want me to say I make my own soldiers sing my favorite song while I electrocute them and laugh when they start to cry? That’s how the Academy taught me to answer these types of questions. Or else.”

A dry laugh escapes his companion and half of a smirk stays there.

“Really? Would anyone believe me if I asked around about you?” His tone is mocking and Diokos answers in kind.

“Oh sure, ask around. I’m sure they would all be thrilled to answer all your questions about me.”

Arcann glances back at the lower level, the people filling the room then back at him. “Point taken. Wouldn’t want anyone to think there’s unrest in the Commander’s meticulously crafted special squad.” He lowers his voice to a point where anyone who wasn’t a force user might have trouble listening to him “And I prefer to ask you directly anyway.”

Diokos hums at that, expecting his old enemy to return to his vacant silence but he’s surprised once again.

“What’s your favorite season? As a sith.” 

He doesn’t want to play games anymore, but there’s no point in lying. A straightforward answer would be enough.

“Summer.”

“Oh? Summer on every planet or a certain one?” He shrugs but that doesn’t stop Arcann from pressing.

“Do you dream of lounging in the golden sand of Corellian beaches, sunbathing in the summer and letting others spend fortunes just to share the pleasure of your company… as most mercenaries do?” Vitiate’s son smiles at him, different this time, his eyes shining more than usual.

Why does everyone bring up Corellia?

Diokos doesn’t know why he brings up Corellia but he must know what he did there. A star fortress was stationed there after all. But this sounds like a cheap joke at his expense and just that.

“No.” The sith elongates the word as he rolls his eyes. Arcann flinches at that and his smile falters, confusing him more. “I feel fine during that season in most places, that is all.”

His joints hurt less and he likes to sweat without exerting himself but that would show weakness and some people seem to think it’s gross so he keeps it to himself. The days last longer and the skies are clear, many of them which show themselves in shades of blue which are a small delight for him. He feels childish for thinking that way but he can’t find it in himself to stop enjoying those moments. 

No one needs to know, especially not this man.

“It’s strange that Cipher Nine hasn't called for us. Come on, let’s figure out why he has kept us waiting for so long.” And then plain as day, Arcann can’t stop his annoyance from showing.

“But what did I– never mind. Whatever. Yes… my lord. Let's leave.”

#thank youuuu!! <333 #oc: diokos #nemore'xiel is my chiss cipher nine btw #otp: no nature no nurture never again #diokos is. as always. fucking clueless #written words