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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 1900217" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 88: PunishmentsWhen Jen opened her eyes to a blurry haze, she couldn’t help but notice the forceful pressure all around. It wasn’t a physical pressure, and that made it odd for the first few moments as her mind regained consciousness. Once her mind had slowly began its recovery, Jen found herself wishing the pressure was physical. Feeling it on the inside hurt in more than one way, and none of them were pleasant to think about. But her memories were catching up with her, and Jen was no longer worrying about the pressure and instead piecing together where she was.    Floor. Start simply. Her eyes focused and she took in the floor. Strange. She could see herself. It was a well polished golden-like color that reflected like a perfect mirror. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity(though it had barely been a week) she saw herself. Jen first noticed that her once-tidy blonde hair was currently a mess, and also much closer to the color of the sand. Probably because there was a good amount of sand in it. She’d given up on trying to pick it out days ago. A few more moments were spent as she look into her own eyes. The usual blue seemed paler. Or maybe that was because of the bruises and scratches. How that made sense, Jen didn’t know, but there sure were a large amount of marks across her face. Some very definitely more recent than others.    And then the pressure seemed to increase. Cringing, Jen found her mind tracing it to a source. Eyes following her brain’s orders, Jen slowly looked up. It did not take long before she was taking in the view of a large, black robe. Following it up all the way, Jen noticed that she couldn’t actually any face within the heavy black hood. All black. Typical. One day someone would have to teach these self proclaimed evil dictators that other colors might just conceal them better. Really, why not a light brown robe? It would blend perfectly with the sand, while that black would stick out like the orange flight suits that New Republic pilots wore. At least those were so bright because they were designed to assist in being seen. But really, shouldn’t these ‘evil’ people try not to be seen? One day, she’d ask Voort.    “Bring the child before me.”    The voice had definitely come from the hooded figure, though it was less a voice and more a sound. The distinction between the two Jen would never be able to explain, but for the first time she truly knew there was one. Hearing a short amount of movement and then an ‘oof’ noise to her left, Jen turned to look. There she saw Light, exhausted and beaten. It was a strange look on an Alraxian, and one that only could result from not having remorphed any wounds. Jen didn’t completely understand all of the details, but seeing a long scar across Light’s face was worrying enough. The young Alraxian just stared at the ground as a figure kicked her forward more.    After a short silence, the swishing of robes drew Jen’s attention back to the robed figure(who she assumed was Sadrak). The figure had half raised an arm, still concealed within the robe so that it only looked like a creature attempting to raise a small wing and failing. The signal was not wholly unnoticed, and Jen watched as two humanoid figures picked Light up and dragged her to her feet and in front of the robed figure. The two new creatures were humanoid enough, though there was one noticeable difference about them. They had four arms. The lower two arms looked misshapen in places, but were still strong enough to hold up Light.    The Alraxian slowly lifted her head, staring into the black and empty looking hood. Jen could not tell if Light discovered anything new, though, and found herself wondering if anyone cared she was even there. Though being ignored at this point was not altogether a bad thing. Without any warning, there was a sudden flash of movement. It was mixed with a cry of pain from Light, and the only way that Jen had any idea what had happened was from looking to Light. She no longer had a large portion of her right shoulder. Something had simply cut it off. This was morphed back instinctively, and got a short, although very disturbing, laugh from the robed figure.    Without a word or even a signal, Light was thrown back to the ground next to Jen. The two four-armed humanoids looked to the robed figure, and Jen noticed that one of them held a large piece of flesh in a hand. Light’s shoulder...Bowing, the two strange creatures turned and left the large chamber. It was the first time she’d looked across the huge domed room. Only the floor was reflective. The walls were an odd obsidian color, with the domed roof made of the same material. Whatever it was, it emitted an odd feeling.    “Get up.”    Somehow, Jen knew that those words were directed at her. She did not comply with the request, wanting to show any kind of defiance she could to him. But this didn’t matter, as a single strong hand grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to her feet. By now, Jen knew that clawed grip. Dark. Jen had wondered if that thing was still around. Thing? No, it was part of Shadow...but still. So now forced to stand, though no closer to the robed figure, Jen stared at the black mass. No new insights.    “You were quiet adept in eluding capture.”    Somehow, that felt like a question. The kind of question that answering would likely get oneself killed. So, Jen simply kept her mouth shut and payed attention to the absolute lack of movement in that robe. Perhaps he wasn’t speaking at all? But no, her ears were definitely receiving those sounds from him. Had to be. At the same time, though, she wasn’t in the mood to accept more mystical answers. There were enough of those floating around everywhere on this planet for her liking.    The voice itself had seemed to pause at her thoughts, and continued on when her train of thought had slowed, “You will answer my questions. You are Jen Zaarin of Alderaan?”    At first, Jen decided not to answer and be difficult. This got her a tight squeeze from Dark, with the added effect of claws touching her neck in just that way to show they could easily go much much deeper without killing her. So, Jen gave in and spoke(as nodding would probably hurt), “Yes.”    The figure did not take any time to think on this, simply stating another question the second she’d finished with her answer, “You feel drawn to this place, do you not?”    A pause. A long one. Jen wasn’t sure what kind of question that was. Obviously, he was leading her to some point and just toying with her on the way. But still...she’d not thought about it before, and she did feel drawn to the desert. No one place in particular. Well, no...yes. Yes she did. Here. This was the right place. Why, though? That much did not make sense, though she was surprised to find herself answering already, “Yes.”    That’s when the robe moved slightly, and Jen felt like she was being looked...through. It lasted only a matter of seconds before Dark pulled her around and started taking her to a small opening off on the other side of the room. So this was over. Jen realized that it was not over once they reached the small door.    “You will return once they are placed within the cells. It is time to discuss your breeding.”    Breeding?! What was he talking about? When they exited the room to a long corridor, Jen heard a low growl from Dark. That got a smile from the woman. So he wasn’t speaking to Jen at all. But why was Dark so angry? Tension between them...interesting. As Dark forced her along the corridor, Jen was glad to see Light not far ahead. Light was being held tightly by Akan’s Dark, who stood there looking back with a curious expression. That looked odd on the face she had gotten used to seeing anger on.    No words were exchanged between anyone as Jen was dragged along for a long distance. But then, Akan’s Dark spoke up, speaking as if it was only he and Dark in the room, “What is it? I have done nothing to anger you.”    Dark stopped, tossed Jen against the wall hard and stepped over to her Akan. When Jen’s head stopped spinning, she looked over to see Dark holding up her pet Akan by the neck against the wall. She was growling and looking ready to murder. In a cold as ice voice, she spoke, “Your incompetence has brought its punishment. And it is not yours. I should kill you where you are.”    “But then you would be useless to him,” Akan’s Dark said simply, not even reacting to the tightening hand around his neck. After a moment, Dark simply let go of him, letting him drop.    As she stepped over to force Jen to her feet again, Dark said to her Akan, “I am not breeding stock for him to toy with.”    Interesting. Jen couldn’t help but notice a triumphant smile tugging at the face of Akan’s Dark as she was forced down the corridor again by a very angry Dark.</blockquote>

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