Stockholm on Starkiller | ON HOLD

06: Monster.

"What are you hiding under that mask?"

Her voice escaped her lips with a sturdy tone, surprising herself for a second. She kept her eyes on his face, hidden behind the metal. He didn't move, didn't say anything for what seemed like ages, and she felt the tension grow thick in the air. For a second, she regretted asking the question, positive she had offended him. He wore the mask for a reason, but she wanted to know what that reason was. Kylo moved then, lifting his hands up to the mask, where he pressed a button under his chin. Avatra felt her heart jump, the anticipation growing inside her as the hissing of the mask echoed throughout the room.

Her mind was beginning to race again; What if he was a monster? Some sort of abnormal creature from a planet she hadn't heard of? What if he was marred, scars concealing his true appearance? Her grip on the metal staff tightened as she watched him slowly raise the helmet off his head.

What she saw came as a complete surprise;

Kylo Ren was a young man, from the looks of it, not a day over thirty. His eyes were brown, incredibly dark, and held more emotion then she could comprehend. She saw in his eyes what she felt before. 

Anger, sadness, remorse...Fear.

His skin was pale, dotted with a few prominent freckles. Long, wavy black hair bordered his narrow face, as his full lips pursed into a straight line. He waited for her response, but she seemed to be speechless. He raised his head, standing straight as he held the helmet in his hands.

"Am I the monster you imagined?" He asked. The sound of his voice was smooth, and deep. Falling from his lips with a contemptuous tone. Avatra opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Kylo's eyes narrowed as he watched her face, his brows pulling together.

"Speak to me." He demanded. Avatra shook her head quickly, averting her eyes elsewhere.

"I didn't mean to offend." She quickly said, taking a step back. A second later she heard the loud clanking of his boots against the metal. She glanced up, seeing him stride straight for her with anger in his deep brown eyes. She gasped, taking another step back, then another, until her back made contact with the metal wall. Kylo didn't stop until he stood less than a foot away from her, dropping his helmet on the ground, before leaning down to face her.

"You seem to think me a monster. The things I've done, the thousands I've killed..." He started. She could feel his hot breath ghost over her face as he spoke. Avatra closed her eyes then, turning her face away. The fear returned; Kylo was unpredictable. Some would say, mad. And having him stand this close to her was completely daunting.

"Look at me. That is what you wanted, correct?" He asked, his gloved hand reaching up to roughly grasp her chin, turning her face towards him. Her knees were shaking now, her grip weak as the staff fell from her fingertips and onto the metal ground with a solid ring. Slowly, her eyes opened, making direct contact with Kylo's. He stared into her emerald eyes for a second, before letting his gaze travel over her youthful face.

"You don't know the power I wield...I could kill you right now, with just a touch." He spoke lower, his tone dropping an octave as his eyes explored her face. Kylo slowly released her chin, his fingertips grazing over her jaw before completely pulling away. He took a full step back, and Avatra suddenly fell to her knees.

It felt like the weight of a planet had been lifted off her shoulders, and she lost control over her legs, simply crumbling to the ground with wide eyes. Her breath was ragged now, her chest lighter as she realized she was hardly breathing before. The power he held over her was immense, and it was absolutely terrifying.

"You are so weak." He breathed out, looking down at her with disdain in his glare. Avatra managed to tilt her head back, looking up at him through lidded eyes. She took in a deep breath, before speaking.

"Then aid me in growing stronger....Master Ren." She whispered. She was testing the waters. Trying to figure out the correct way to talk to him. Kylo was dangerous, and completely capricious, and she had no plans of dying anytime soon.

Kylo's face contorted to a look of incredulity, before quickly gaining his composure again. If Avatra knew anything, she knew that that was the correct way to address Kylo Ren.

"I plan on it." He simply replied, his voice was softer now, and it came as a surprise to her. His expression was stoic as he stared down at her a moment longer, before turning around. Kylo walked away then, grabbing his helmet off the ground and placing it back on his head.

"This session is over." He finished, the robotic voice she had grown slightly used to, returned.

Kylo said nothing else as he walked towards the door in a brisk manner, opening it to see the Stormtroopers waiting outside.

"Take her back to her cell. Make sure she is fed, as well as finishing her portions." Kylo demanded, before strutting off without another glance.

Avatra sat at the table, spacing out at the empty metal tray before her. Her mind was elsewhere, though. She couldn't seem to stop the questions that roamed her thoughts, and everyday, more and more appeared.

Kylo Ren was not who she expected him to be; He was young, and she could feel the pain within him. She could see in his eyes, how hard he fought to gain the power he wielded. The first thing she noticed, was how easily she could read his emotions by just his face. It was a book to his mind, and it showed everything he was trying to hide.

"He's scared." She whispered to herself, her eyes still on the table before her.

As the force grew stronger within her, she could sense more. She could feel Kylo's emotions clearly, like a wave caressing her body in fluid motions. Behind all his anger, and hatred, and fear...There was a light. It was dim, and flickering, but it was there.

Despite her hatred for the Dark Warrior, Avatra felt a pull to him. Her heart felt sorrow for the man, as well as anger. She wanted to kill him, and yet...She wanted to save him. Avatra couldn't begin to explain these emotions running rampant through her being, and it was driving her mad.

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