Author's Notes: I am not conforming to the norms of Chiss aging in my head-canons. For the record, Ashara is 21, here, while Ozibaumnu is 22.


"My lord… may I ask you a personal question?"

Ashara Zavros, Jedi Padawan, spoke even as she continued to trudge a few steps behind her ostensible master, Lord Kallig, across the icy plains of Hoth. The two were heading back to their shuttle at Dorn Base after successfully seeking out the Force ghost of the ancient Sith Lord Horak-Mul and persuading him to allow himself to be bound to Kallig. All this with the ultimate goal of challenging Darth Thanaton, who had been hounding Kallig, Ashara, and their crew for as long as Ashara had been with them.

Hoth was barely habitable; it was essentially a freezing orb of snow and ice floating in space. Fortunately, both Ashara and Kallig were well-dressed for the frosty climate, wearing heavy cloaks over their normal robes and thermal garments beneath. Kallig – with the customary generosity she'd come to expect from him – had even provided her with thermal sleeves for her lekku and montrals. She couldn't imagine where he had come by the garments that seemed to fit her perfectly and were clearly designed for a Togruta like herself. (Perhaps he had met a synthweaver in all his travels?) Regardless she was grateful for the protection and touched by his attentiveness.

The cold had proven to be too much for their speeders, so they'd ultimately been forced to park them a few kilometers short of the base and were now heading the rest of the way on foot.

(Tauntauns would have been more practical, Ashara knew. But the smelly, hairy beasts bothered her and even Lord Kallig hadn't been keen on them.)

Kallig paused in his step and turned towards Ashara. He was still wearing his black and silver skull-mask, one Ashara now knew was the legacy of the infamous Kallig bloodline. The mask gave him a foreboding look, an appearance that he'd carefully cultivated, he'd later confided to Ashara. Allies and enemies alike responded more promptly – and more predictably – to the mask than to the Sith Lord's actual face. Most who encountered him knew him only by his growing reputation; the man beneath – a relatively young Chiss – was 'unimportant' in the grand scheme of things, he'd claimed.

(This was especially important, Ashara noted, considering Chiss serving in the Sith Empire often faced considerable prejudices, even those among the Sith.)

Ashara, personally, much preferred him without the mask.

"Only if you promise to remember that you don't have to call me 'my lord' when we're in private, Ashara." Kallig's tone was gently teasing, and she could almost feel his slight smile behind it. "Call me Ozibaumnu, or you could even follow Andronikus' lead and call me 'Ozi', if you like. Its only in front of others that we need to worry about titles and formality." He gave her a casual shrug. "Such things are quite important among the Sith and Imperials."

She was touched by his consideration, but she didn't fail to observe that although he nominally served the Sith Empire and was a Sith himself, he didn't personally identify himself as an Imperial.

That is an important distinction. Ashara observed, filing that nugget of information away for later.

"Okay. Ozibaumnu." she gave him a hopeful smile. "I was just wondering… what does a Sith Lord who isn't committed to the dark side do for fun?"

He'd turned towards her fully now, his head tilting to the side. He had shown her a great deal of patience thus far, arguably far more than her old Jedi masters had. Ashara couldn't imagine asking that kind of question to Master Ryen or Master Ocera. Indeed, it wouldn't have ever occurred to her to do so.

But Lord Kallig was different. Different than the Jedi. Different than Elios Maliss, that Sith acolyte on Taris, and different from ever other Sith she'd met since then. Different than how she ever imagined a Sith Lord ever could be.

Different from anyone who Ashara had ever met, really.

"Fun, hmm?" he queried.

"Yeah. Fun. You know. For recreation. For enjoyment. Just… you know… fun." She emphasized. How could she explain the concept of fun to someone who she was starting to suspect had never experienced it?

Lord Kallig seemed to be chewing something over. He finally reached up and undid the clasp on his mask, pulling it up and over his head.

Ashara had seen only two examples of Chiss in person before she'd met Ozibaumnu, and both had been allied with the Imperial military, seen from a distance. After she'd joined the Sith's crew, she recalled finding his red eyes unnerving at first, but she had become much more comfortable with them over time. The stark contrast of the red against his dark blue skin was rather exotic. His face was heavily scarred; Ashara knew the marks were from his years as a slave but had never pressed him on the details. (She imagined the stories must have been horrifying.) Still, she privately admitted to herself that his high cheek bones and raven widow's peak hair were not unattractive. When she'd first met him, of course, he had been wearing his Kallig mask and from the way he talked, she'd imagined him being … well, much older than he was. Later, when he'd revealed his actual face back on his ship, it was only then she realized first that he was Chiss and second that he was only a year or two older than she was.

Ozibaumnu often seemed a completely different man to Ashara in private. Or without the mask. Or when she thought of him as 'Ozibaumnu' and not 'Lord Kallig'. She was only now starting to understand that he needed to put on the show of being a 'dark and imperious' figure to discourage other Sith and Imperials from targeting him or his crew. This was the culture of the Sith Empire as it existed, and it was a culture that Ashara hoped Kallig would someday overturn.

Now free of the mask, the Sith Lord exhaled slowly into the cold, icy air, his breath visible in a small puffy cloud. Ashara recalled that Chiss were naturally adapted to colder climates. Indeed, they'd seen dozens of Imperial-aligned Chiss on Hoth during their time here. Far more than she'd ever seen before. She'd privately wondered why he hadn't revealed himself as one of them. Shouldn't he welcome the presence of his own species, after spending so long in the Empire?

"Well, I don't really know." He finally said. "I have vague memories of… playing with my elder sister when I was very little."

His voice grew wistful for the briefest of moments, and Ashara, feeling charmed at the thought of Ozibaumnu as a small child, started to smile.

"I suppose that must have been fun."

The feeling wouldn't last.

"When we were separated, however, well, that's when the Sarnovas bought me." She could hear the sting of bitterness and pain in his voice. "I had… duties and lessons. I suppose I may have enjoyed some of those more than others. I read extensively in their library when I could find time. And I found great relief with the biochemistry lab, but that was primarily to manage Lady Sarnova's gardens. I've kept that up, as you've seen on the ship. I'm even proficient enough now to produce custom stim-packs, and I do find the challenge relaxing." He paused. "But I don't think I would call it 'fun', exactly. It's just something engaging I do to keep myself mentally sharp."

Ashara felt her heart start to break hearing about the life that Ozibaumnu had led. It was entirely unfair and put the difficulties of her own life into context. The young Sith Lord had turned away from her now, looking off into the distance at one of Hoth's moons. Though there was still daylight out, night would be falling quite soon. Still, she was hesitant to interrupt him, enjoying this level of openness. There was time.

"It couldn't have been so different for you, could it?" the Sith Lord asked, turning his head towards her slightly. "The Jedi aren't exactly known for providing their padawans with a spirited and carefree upbringing."

Ashara bit her lip at that. She had enjoyed her time as a Jedi, no matter how frustrated she'd grown when she felt like her Masters had been holding her back.

"Well, we were given some free time each day." She finally said. "To learn or relax however we chose. A few of us watched holovids. Some of the others meditated or studied records on loan from the Jedi Archives. I liked sparring with the others, but none of them could really keep up with me so I usually went exploring outside the enclave where I might run into rakghouls or bogstalkers or some other local predator. I didn't seek conflict with any of them, but I didn't back down when they attacked, either." Her lips twisted into a guilty smile.

"None of them could stop me." She knew her pride was a weakness, but she couldn't quite help it. "I guess… I guess it was fun. For me, anyway."

Ozibaumnu chuckled.

"I believe you. I've seen your power and skills first-hand." He gave her a grin. "You're a remarkably talented warrior."

Ashara blushed in embarrassment at the compliment, looking away self-consciously.

"Uhm. Thank you." She offered lamely. Why did it bother her so much, him seeing her flustered?

Seeming to sense the sudden awkwardness, Ozibaumnu turned away again. Ashara liked that about him. He respected her boundaries and didn't push when she was uncomfortable with something. He seemed to 'get' her in a way other people didn't.

"Anyway, after I… 'left' the Sarnovas' service, I began my Sith training. I knew full well I was already well behind the other students, and that my Chiss heritage would make me a target for a great many of the acolytes and overseers. I had to work twice as hard and to watch my back. The others took enjoyment from tormenting others or in the failures of one of our fellows. That's… not something that interested me. So I suppose I didn't really get to do anything for its own satisfaction."

He paused and Ashara could have sworn she could feel his mind sort through its memories.

"Since then, well, first I was performing missions for Zash and then since her… transformation, I've had to deal with Thanaton. My companions – prior to meeting you, that is – have been a Dashade shadow-killer whose hobbies include ruthlessly devouring Force-users, and Andronikus, who enjoys acts of piracy and games of pazaak. And I can only play so much pazaak. It's a reasonably engaging pastime, but not something I enjoy in and of itself."

Ashara had been listening to him talk about his life when inspiration struck her. Noting that his back was still turned to her, she crouched down and put her plan in motion.

"But I'm afraid I'm not very experienced with the concept of 'fun'. Not in a long time, anyway."

He seemed to ponder that reality for a long moment.

"Oh, Ozibaumnu?" Ashara finally asked innocently.

"Yes, Ashara?" he attentively turned back in her direction.

The snowball struck Ozibaumnu square in the chest, crumbling on impact, but nevertheless leaving the Sith Lord covered in a good amount of snow as his startled eyes widened.

Ashara covered her mouth with her hands to smother her laughter, eyes wide with mirth as the Chiss blinked and looked down at himself.

"I'm so sorry!" she cried out, still desperately trying to stifle her giggles, and out of breath. "It's just… you didn't know what 'fun' was and you were just standing there… and I wanted to show you… I'm sorry!"

She closed her eyes, trying to recompose herself with her Jedi training and utterly failing. Honestly, she was still a little shocked by her own conduct. She'd never in a million years have even thought about throwing a snowball at any of her old Jedi Masters. Plus, she genuinely liked and respected Ozibaumnu. He was intelligent and knowledgeable treated her with respect and kindness and offered her as much freedom as he could. He'd let her express herself and her abilities in ways she'd never been able to before, and as a result she felt she was becoming more proficient at lightsaber dueling with every encounter and was growing far more refined with the Force overall. And what was more he spoke with her, not at her. About the Force, the Empire, the Republic, the Jedi, the Sith… everything. She'd enjoyed it, more than she'd like to admit.

It felt like no one was holding her back anymore. Instead, Ozibaumnu was helping her move forward.

She really should be kinder towards him for all he'd done for her. More respectful. She lowered her hands from her face and sighed, trying to prepare a more sincere – and heartfelt – apology.

And that was the moment Ashara felt the snowball hitting her in the face.

The Togruta sputtered as her hands brushed away the snow, looking up in disbelief at her assailant.

Ozibaumnu, the Lord Kallig, Heir to Tulak Hord and the Great Dragon of the Cult of the Screaming Blade, was grinning mischievously at her in an expression Ashara had never seen on his face before. His hand was extended outward, palm-side down. A few inches beneath it she saw a new snowball being formed in mid-air, just out of the reach of his hand, and immediately realized that while she'd been distracted trying to smother her laughter, he'd sculpted the first snowball and had flung it at her just by using the Force.

Now he was plainly getting ready to send another her way.

It was so playful it was almost charming.

She was so startled and then entranced at the sight that she barely had time to duck her head from the second snowball as it flung itself towards her, letting out an 'eek' as it narrowly sailed over her montrals.

She glanced back at him. Ozibaumnu continued grinning and promptly reached out and started forming a third snowball.

Ashara felt a surge of adrenaline as her natural competitive instincts took over. If he was going to throw snowballs at her, she'd defend herself in kind.

She kicked out at the still-forming snowball, then reached down towards the snow to form her own. Ashara knew she couldn't match Ozibaumnu's telekinesis or other outstanding Force powers, but she didn't think he was her equal in physical prowess. She found herself smirking as she hurled her half-made snowball back at him.

The Sith Lord deftly dodged the projectile by deftly turning his body, in an elegant display of an economy of motion. The minimal amount of effort had been expended. Then with a widening grin and a gesture of his hand, the snow all around them started to rise from the ground.

Realizing the danger, Ashara took off, calling upon her Force speed to embark on a dead run away from him almost faster than the eye could follow. She'd realized immediately what Lord Kallig – Ozibaumnu, she reminded herself – was trying to do. She'd just have to be fast enough to overcome it. As she pushed herself, the ground behind her rose in a veritable tidal wave of snow, getting larger and larger as it pursued. Just when it threatened to overtake her, she adjusted her trajectory, evading its path.

The Jedi padawan had been the best combatant in her class on Taris. Maybe one of the best in all the Jedi order. She knew that as powerful as she was, she couldn't face Ozibaumnu directly like this.

But even as the wave of snow turned and pursued her, she had a plan.

Ashara continued to alter her direction, ever so slightly.

Ozibaumnu was incredibly powerful and intelligent, but if she timed it perfectly, it was just possible she could find the angle to take him unawares. She risked a glance over her shoulder at him and was rewarded with the sight of a still grinning Sith Lord, reaching out with his hands as he guided the ever-growing wave of snow. By now, it was nearly ten meters high and twice as wide. Despite the cold and the speed she was running at, Ashara could feel the perspiration start to build on her brow as she continued to run, still adjusting her angle.

She had never run so fast in her life, but at the same time, it was so exciting.

The shape centered on the Chiss Sith Lord was nearly complete; Ashara was like the free tip of a compass while the wave behind her was drawing the circle.

Just before she reached her starting point – and perhaps seconds away from being overtaken by the wave of snow – she turned her route completely towards him at a hard ninety degree angle and leapt, launching herself towards him with the strength of the Force in a remarkable display of athleticism.

He'd turned towards her, his red, pupil-less eyes wide as they caught hers. She'd have missed the reaction without her Force sensitivity focused so acutely on him. For a fraction of a second, she was certain that her plan had failed, and he would respond with a Force Wave, throwing her back and into a nearby snowbank. Or perhaps he might even lash out with his Force Lightning, which Ashara was certain she could not resist or defend against. Not at this point.

But the expression on Ozibaumnu's face was not a grin any longer. Nor was it anger or even shock. His eyes wide as he looked at her with the most serene expression. He looked at peace, with his lips slightly parted as he watched the oncoming Togruta soaring towards him.

This observation registered in Ashara's mind at the very instant she collided with him, sending both Force users tumbling to the ground in a heap. The Force wave of snow, no longer under the guidance of its master, simply collapsed just short of them, sending up a flurry of flakes.

When the dust settled, Ashara, still breathing heavily, sat up and looked down at Ozibaumnu. He was laying on his back while Ashara was effectively straddling him. The wind had obviously been knocked out at him, but his eyes were still open, and looking up at her.

Ashara swallowed, catching her breath as the feeling of awkwardness set in. "Uhm. You okay?"

He blinked but didn't turn away. Instead, he just nodded up at her, his eyes still wide and strangely focused.

Ashara smiled, relived. Then realizing she'd succeeded in her plan, the smile widened into a grin.

"I got you." she beamed in triumph. It had been the first time she'd bested him in any kind of training.

Ozibaumnu's didn't react in the slightest, nor did he move free himself or to push her off of him. In fact, he was only barely breathing as he continued to gaze up at her.

"You're beautiful."

The words startled Ashara, as her jaw dropped and her cheeks flushed. He'd always been friendly to her, and they'd even bantered a handful of times. But he'd never said anything to her like that before.

These past several weeks had been a whirlwind for the young Togruta. She'd seen her old masters slain, then had allied with the Sith who'd killed them. She's left Taris behind, and since then had seen how the growing war between the Republic and the Empire was impacting worlds like Quesh and Hoth. She'd made friends – or at least acquaintances – wish a Sith Lord, a pirate, and a Dashade shadow-killer who was sometimes possessed by a Sith. She had learned new things about herself, experiencing things she'd never imagined and she suspected that her journey of self-discovery was only just beginning. That there were many more lessons ahead.

And as she looked down at his handsome face and felt butterflies in her belly, she wondered if this were one of them.

The Chiss was still looking up at her, entranced, breathing heavily with his mouth agape. Ashara found herself starting to lean down towards his lips, getting closer and closer…

It was at that point the silence was shattered by a voice that could be heard calling out in the distance.

"My lord!"

Alarmed, Ashara turned towards the sudden intrusion, her hands reflexively going for the lightsabers she kept clipped to her belt.

Rapidly approaching the two from about fifty meters away was a squad of Imperial soldiers, clad in the Empire's finest cold-weather gear. They were led by an eager man wearing sergeant stripes on his armor, his eyes wide in alarm.

Suddenly very self-conscious of the fact that she was effectively straddling the Sith Lord to whom she owed her allegiance in the middle of a plain of snow, Ashara scrambled to her feet, hastily brushing the snow off her robes. She turned away as her cheeks burned in embarrassment, looking down at her feet. She could only imagine how ridiculous she looked at this moment.

The soldiers came to a stop a few meters away, the sergeant suddenly uncertain. Each of the squadmates appeared to be surveying the lay of the land.

"Forgive me, my lord. Dorn Base had a report of a sudden snowstorm… phenomena in this zone. We were concerned you'd been stranded."

Ashara remembered that Captain Yudrass of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force now commanded Dorn Base, largely on Lord Kallig's recommendation. Perhaps these men were here at Yudrass' request?

Ozibaumnu had, by now, risen to his feet, his back to the soldiers. Ashara watched as the Sith Lord carefully refastened his skull-mask around his head before finally turning to face the sergeant.

"Not at all, sergeant." Lord Kallig said, his voice once again slightly distorted by the mask. Nevertheless, his tone was clear, firm and commanding. "My apprentice and I were simply enjoying an impromptu training session. But I am most grateful for your concern."

"Ah." The sergeant blinked, glancing at Ashara with a nervous look in his eyes and then back to Kallig before swallowing. "Of course, my lord. My apologies. My men and I will return to our patrols."

Kallig gave a slight nod, effectively dismissing the soldiers. The sergeant gave the order and the men turned westward, back in the general direction of Dorn base.

Finally alone again, Kallig turned to Ashara, his face once again unreadable beneath his mask.

"That was fun." He said simply.

Ashara bit her lip at that, and she realized only then that she'd been holding her breath in the presence of the soldiers who had 'caught' them. She exhaled, finally smiling softly at him.

"Yes, it was." She answered quietly.

He gave a nod of his head and she found herself hoping he was smiling beneath the mask.

"Well then. We should get back to it."

Without another word, the Sith Lord began trekking through the snow, once more headed towards the base.

Ashara watched him for a second, her smile turning into a grin. Then she followed, eager to catch up.


Author's Notes: Some of my younger readers may not be entirely familiar with how people used to draw precise circles. Now you know. ?

The Ashara Zavros romance in the SI story can be troubling if not approached from the correct direction. One of my goals with this particular character to explore that romance while avoiding the pitfalls.

I love the idea of the Sith Inquisitor or the Sith Warrior going through most of the game interacting with Sith and Imperials who are unaware you are not human or Pureblood. Its like they can pull the mask off at any time and say "What did you say about Mirialans again?"

Ozi is not a big fan of the Chiss Ascendancy. They sent his family into exile and to the Empire, and then did nothing after his mother was killed and he and his sister were enslaved. So he's not a creature of sentiment with respect to his own species. But he was more accommodating with Yudrass, an NPC on Hoth who I found memorable. This might be the beginning of a reconciliation. Frankly, its too soon to say.

Finally – I was originally going to name this piece 'Snowballs' but opted to change it to avoid any entendre issues. (Some of y'all have dirty minds.)