It wasn’t polite, But Kaydia had felt Fayette’s thoughts around Matthias. Not too deeply, just on the surface, hoping to get a sense of this “demon” Fayette had insisted they hunt. Only by understanding him, what he was and what he could do, could they begin to formulate a strategy.<br/><br/>Fayette’s memories on the matter were…horrifying. This Matthias a monster on the level of the Sith she and Quentin spent their lives hunting. And the things he had done, the bits she experienced vicariously through Fayette? It was enough to call up the darkness in her, darkness she worked long and hard to keep in balance.<br/><br/>Now, the man before them? Hardly the monster who lived in Fayette’s memories. Oh, they were some similarities, on the outside, but just as many inconsistencies. Kaydia had seen her tormentors in his acts, but looking upon him now? She saw more of herself. Just a person seeking redemption and forgiveness for past crimes.<br/><br/>She moved forward to pull Fayette back, to try and reason with her, but she started, so did the pregnant woman at Matthias’ side. A metal prosthetic arm rested on Fayette’s shoulder, and her voice was firm. “Let her go, Clara.” Fayette calmed herself just a bit, more cautious of her anger around the pregnant women.  But it still burned in her eyes and stiffened her posture, ready to strike if only she had an opening.<br/><br/>“He hurt you badly, didn’t he?” She asked, voice soft. Fayette shook and nodded, unable speak in her pain and rage.   The woman caressed her cheek, and wiped away a tear. “And will killing him undo what he did to you?”<br/><br/>Fayette shuddered, the tears flowing freely now. “I don’t know, maybe?”<br/><br/>“The man that hurt you is gone. The demon is no more. All that remains is a man who probably wouldn’t even try to stop you from killing him in retribution. “<br/><br/>“Fuck!” Fayette raged, the word surfacing from a deep well of pain. “So, he gets a happy ending and I get to live with what he did to me all my life?”<br/><br/>“What other choice is there? Tear a family apart? Leave behind a widow and a child without a father? And what if that child seeks you out in vengeance in taking their father away? Where will it end?”<br/><br/>“What other choice is there?” There was a desperation in the question, reaching for hope and reconciliation.<br/><br/>“You have to let go of your hate. You don’t have to forgive him, but holding on to your pain will only cause it to fester and consume you. Trust me on that much.”<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/><br/>Mercedes thanked God for the first time in almost a decade. In her own mind, perhaps, but it was as sincere as anything she did. Afterall, it could only be an act of God that allowed them to find the one house in Berlin occupied by American ex-patriots. Still, this Sam lead them into a sitting room filled with guests. Mercedes face must have flushed a dozen hues of red, made even worse by the<a class="link link--external" href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/17/2c/3a/172c3a2a5848daedeb5f101779e9fac2.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">dress</a>she wore. It had been perfectly suitable for performing at a darkly lit club but felt brazen in like of the intimate company they barged in on.<br/><br/>Brushing snow dusted curls back behind her ear, she flashed a nervous smile. “So sorry for interrupting your holiday. We will be out of your hair as soon as a cab can get here.”<br/><br/><br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/><br/><br/>Mara sat alone from the party happening in the main room of Madame Golb’s estate. Most Zeltron celebrated included an orgy of a sort, but today she was just interloping upon Eventide, the Zeltron celebration of family. Just the sort of thing she had no experience celebrating. Though she supposed, if she were here for an orgy, she’d probably just be missing Luke instead of the parents she barely knew. Instead, she occupied herself with the datapad she had found in her father’s cache. The dozens of pictures told a half story of her parents.<br/><br/>“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” Kalin asked, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. The smirk on his face was nearly enough to get her to forget the absence in her life.<br/><br/>With a sigh she set the datapad aside. “I felt like I was intruding. I know your mother just invited me out of pity.”<br/><br/>“Nonsense. Mom considers you a Dafayl, which makes you practically family. At least close enough to seem related without being so close we couldn’t hook up.” Kalin teased, and Mara laughed despite herself. Like all Zeltrons, his good mood was contagious.<br/><br/>“I guess I am just not good at celebrating family. I don’t have much experience.” She pulled one leg up against her chest and rested her head on her knee.  “You knew my parents, didn’t you?”<br/><br/>“Not your mother. She…well, she died while I was young. Too young to remember. Your father was around a bit, while I was growing up though. Offered to supplement my gifts with Jedi teachings. Until it became too dangerous, at least. So I don’t think that helps you much, does it?” Kalin sighed and sat beside her. She knew her gloom was bringing down his mood too, and that made her feel worse. She wanted to make an excuse to leave, before Kalin grabbed her hand.<br/><br/>“There is one thing we can do, to help you get in the mood,” Kalin offered. Mara raised an eyebrow, not sure she was up for a Zeltron orgy before Kalin laughed, “Not that mood. But in the right state of mind to celebrate Eventide. It’s actually something your father taught me.” Kalin shifted, sitting across from her, legs crossed and hands facing outward before him. He motioned with eyes for her to do the same. Copying his pose, she placed her palms against his.<br/><br/>“Tafayl Quentin told me about the Dai Bendu, and their ancient beliefs surrounding the force. Apparently they believed the force connected us to all possible lives, even if we are only capable of embracing one at a time. Through meditation, you could shift your consciousness to a possibility that contains your parents. You could…meet them, a version of them, through the force.”<br/><br/>“Meet them?” Mara asked, hopeful disbelief in her question.<br/><br/>“A version of them, yes. It wouldn’t last long, though it will feel longer to you, while you are present in the alternate possibility. It won’t change anything, not in this reality, but maybe it would bring you some comfort?”<br/><br/>“Maybe,” Mara said, shrugging, "but I would like to try." Brushing a strand of curly red hair back, she settled into position and closed her eyes, sinking into the depths of the force, and focusing on her parent’s image in her mind. For a long while, there was everything, the connection between all living things, from the beginning until the end, and every infinite moment in-between. Everything, too fast and large and dense and much absorb. All she could do was let it pass through her, seeking one single moment along the infinite line of time.<br/><br/>Just when she thought she might give up, she felt cool. Cold. Shivering, she rubbed her arms and opened her eyes. She didn’t recognize the planet she was on, but it wasn’t Zeltros. Covered in snow, the dwellings were tightly packed in straight lines, and decorated with vibrant glowing lights. Where was she? Were her parents really nearby? Without a better idea, Mara decided to try the one nearby with it’s indoor lights on, knocking three times and trying not to hope too much.