Vader's second chance

Chapter 39

Organising an Empire is difficult. Having a desert planet converted into a prison, even more so, and the ongoing war doesn't help. He's thankful that Jango accepted the promotion. He rubs at his tired eyes. Bane's small talk helped ease his mind slightly. "I don't remember there being this much paperwork during my reign."
Vader chuckles dryly. "If I live long enough to retire, I probably won't remember there being this much paperwork either. Time has a way of making you see the bright side."
"Time, or longing?"
Vader looks up from his work to see his darling Nightmother. "I suppose you might know a thing or two about longing."
Bane looks between them before his wispy body disappears into his helmet with a "Nope."

Talzin strides you to Vader. "How could I not when you're always working?" Placing herself behind Vader, she wraps her pale arms around him in a comforting gesture.
Taking her hand, Vader responds. "I know, but making sure multiple systems with very different cultures don't kill each other is proving a more difficult task than expected."
Talzin hums, feigning deep thought. "Perhaps you should step away from your duties, if only for a moment."
Smirking, Vader looks up at her. "I assume you have something in mind?"

Talzin took Vader to her home, a wave of her hand having branches grow out of the ground and form what looks like a bed. "This is a simple spell to put the body and mind to rest. But... it comes with the cost of revealing the source of your suffering to the caster." That made Vader pause. Was there a limit to what it would reveal? Would Talzin think differently of him? Truth be told, he thought not. Or at least, he hoped. Shedding his armor and cloak, he gives his unspoken consent by laying down on the surprisingly comfortable makeshift table. The intertwining branches molding perfectly to his physique.

Talzin began to chant ancient dialects that fade into the background of Vader's mind as he closes his eyes and lets the magic do its work. Meanwhile, Talzin bears witness to the things that keep the Grandmaster awake at night.
"They were animals. So I slaughtered them like animals!"
"Have you heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise?"
"Take a seat."
"Liar!"
"I have the high ground!"
"I hate you!"
"You were my brother Anakin."
"It appears in your anger, you killed her."
"Noooooooo!"

So many regrets. But Talzin pats them no mind. It is not her place to judge. Vader does enough of that himself. When the words stop flowing past her lips, Vader opens his eyes to peace. Rising from the wooden table, he feels more relaxed than he has in decades. "Does this last?"
Talzin shakes her head. "No. Like all rests, it soon ends and the pain returns."
"Good."
That surprises Talzin. "You revel in your own suffering?"
Vader shakes his head. "No. It is merely who I am. My suffering made me who I am. Without it, am I truly me?"
That elicits a small smile from Talzin. "How wise. A Sith proverb in the making perhaps?"
Vader chuckles. "Maybe I should add it to the curriculum?"

The touching moment is interrupted by a Purge trooper entering. "Lord Vader." The trooper quickly shields his eyes from the shirtless Vader. "Am I... interrupting something?"
Grabbing his discarded clothes with the force, he quickly makes himself more presentable. "No. What is it, soldier?"
"There is an incoming transmission. From Mandalore."
Vader looks to his lover before turning back to the trooper. "Thank you. As you were."
The trooper quickly leaves, muttering to himself. "How does he have better abs than me? He has the force."

Vader ignores that last sentence as he and Talzin head for a more secure place to accept that transmission. Both were very interested in what Duchess Satine had to say.