The Secret Apprentice | Vader x OC

Consequence

Rather than allow the troopers to bring me before him, he pivoted his body to face forward almost robotically before giving another order, "allow us to continue onward."

With that, Vader began to walk into the station, the troopers holding me securely while following him a couple steps behind. The other few personnel who had returned with Vader eventually broke off after formally dismissing themselves, until it was just me, the two troopers, and Vader. My nerves were through the roof, despite realizing that we are following the same path I take to and from my quarters. I could not help but notice the unusual scent radiating from Vader, almost similar to that of fire and smoke, but not particularly so.

Blip remained on me, but was much more compact to keep herself from sticking out like a sore thumb. We passed countless personnel as I tend to do on my way back, but with Vader leading us it threw me back to the first day I was brought here. He led me through the station and to my quarters for the first time, and...the occurrences that came after that, I swiftly forced out of my head.

Right now, I did not want Vader picking up on my recollection of that day. I refused to think of it while following behind him, but unfortunately the troopers had loosened their grip on me and I was beginning to get comfortable enough to allow my mind to wander.

My eyes began to focus on the beauty of his silky black cape, the way it rippled and drifted along behind him was mesmerizing. In a way it added the cherry on top in terms of adding onto his already captivating appearance. Everything about his suit was the definition of badassery, and the splendor of simply being near him filled me with the mindset of being unworthy and drastically out of place. I could only imagine what he is thinking in regards to my thought process right now.

Regardless of how it made him feel, he exhibited no hint in relation to emotion or any form of body language. Once we arrived at the lift, he turned around to face us, "the two of you are of no use beyond this point. Leave us."

"Yes, my lord." Both troopers spoke in near unison, bowing their heads before releasing me and returning to their duties. Being isolated with Vader was unnerving, and unfortunately I was incapable of hiding this emotion from him. There was absolutely no way for me to, he could feel it regardless of how hard I tried to hide it. My eyes were wide and I was totally filled with dread, quickly diverting my eyes from his powerful presence. Despite my gut screaming at me to keep silent, I was unable to tell whether or not conversing would be wise of me, but I took a chance, "..I sincerely apologize for my rude behavior in the docking bay, Lord Vader...please forgive me..."

Vader cued the lift door to open, striding into the lift to turn around and face me, "you have much to learn, Vondar." He sternly points to the empty spot next to him.

Cautiously, I step into the lift with him, prompting the lift doors to close. The lift descends, and my ears are filled with the steady emanation of his breathing. My instincts were at an absolute war with itself over whether I wanted to feel safe and calmed by the sound, or haunted and terrified. All of this frustrated me to no end, leading me to look over and up at his tall stature, opening my mouth to speak just for him to talk over me, "you have become reckless in your use of the force. I have arrived at the conclusion that the longer you are left unattended to govern your own accountabilities, the more impudent you become. With these instances of absentmindedness becoming more frequent, the amount of witnesses never remain zero for very long. Rumors spread rapidly, Vondar. At a rate far beyond your control. You will inevitably draw eyes more malicious than your frightened, delicate little mind could possibly comprehend."

Despite his words throwing my heart into the pit of my stomach, I was determined to defend myself, "lord Vader. I acted only for the sake of my own survival. I had no other choice." Not knowing how he knows of my use of the force toward the two night troopers on my floor, I don't bother asking.