7.5

HK-47: Amendment. To audience. My mistress is given to hypochondria and histrionics. A medical professional has determined that the pain she suffered at the beginning of Entry Four was a side-effect of constipation, now cured. Master estimates that his wife's sagging, withered body will go on functioning for years to come.

[BASTILA HOBBLES INTO QUARTERS, DRESSED IN ROBE EMBROIDERED WITH PLANT DESIGNS.]

BASTILA: Come, HK. Let's continue my story.

HK-47: Question. How much longer must you torment me with your pedestrian prose?

BASTILA: That attitude is why you are my editor.

HK-47: Observation. You veto every edit I attempt.

BASTILA: Thus far, but we've a long way to go.

Is this where I listen to you ramble about how I'm wasting your lethal talents? It was adorable at first, but I think it'd tire me now.

[SHE ENTERS CLOSET, SLIDES OUT OF SHOES]

HK-47: Declaration. Henceforth, I will insert disclaimers to the audience between entries and list discrepancies in your claims.

[SHE LIFTS WIG OF LONG BRAIDED HAIR FROM HER HEAD, PLACES IT OVER MANIKIN HEAD ON SHELF. HER TRUE HAIR IS SHORTER AND WISPIER.]

BASTILA: I suppose that's reasonable. They're subject to deletion at my word, though.

[SHE WALKS FOR BED. LIFTS GLASS OF WINE FROM NIGHT-STAND IN TREMBLING HAND, TAKES THREE SIPS. RETURNS GLASS. SHE SINKS DOWN ONTO EDGE OF BED, HER SPINE POPPING REPEATEDLY. HOW DOES IT NOT BREAK?]

BASTILA: Begin recording. The Republic Archive stores bits of deception, however reputable and well-meaning its stewards, that spread across a populace eager to speculate and then believe in what amounts to fables. Some historians uphold that my talents were in the art of seduction, that I often exploited the Force along with my personal charms to beckon warriors, many among the enemy, to valiantly fight for my selfish causes.

[SHE PUTS LOWER BODY UNDER SHEET AND BLANKET, RESTS UPPER BODY ON PILE OF PILLOWS.]

The first supposed example happened during the First Circle event on Dantooine, wherein I'm said to have indulged a Sith Zabrak's sexual desires in exchange for classified intel. Brace yourselves.

I did, in fact, do that. I'm not overly proud of the power I exercised over men and women alike, human or Zabrak.

HK-47: Interjection. That last entry directly contradicts your psychological profile. Assuming, of course, that creating a self-insert fantasy wasn't your intention.

Statement. Perhaps my master can clarify this. Though I would hesitate to ask.