Private 99 Problems but not a Bounty

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Raphael looked over the information on his datapad. He'd been hunting the guy for a little bit, and he'd spooked him a few times, though this time he was sure that he'd be able to get to the man and talk to him. Scriyar Ex, sith runaway who'd stolen an artifact. The question was what was the man wanting to do with an artifact that he, most likely, couldn't control? What was the point of power without the fine control that it needed to properly wield?

Yet there was a great deal of things that Raphael couldn't leave to chance and the thought of an ex-sith, whether Mawite or casual Sith, with an artifact? No. Raphael couldn't leave something like that just to run around. The man could be dangerous if left alone.

Something in the back of his mind said to go and find a jedi, let them deal with something stupid like this. Yet, he couldn't. If he went back now then the man would disappear and Raphael couldn't afford that. He'd chased this son of a nerfherder across several planets and, by this point, the man had evaded him across several different ones. He didn't have the time to run back to an inner rim planet where his signal would be recieved.

Much bothers you.

"You can read my mind. You already know."

Something else was on its way, or was...perhaps here already? It was difficult to determine, let alone see. But it made him nervous.

I cannot see anything from this distance, you will have to find him on foot. There is a temple ruin, you can feel it, if you focus.

"I see it, thanks Khusrasol." He came to a stop. He was probably five feet away, but he could very clearly hear a chanting. "This...is going to be a bit harder than I first thought. Kinda wish I'd brought an extra pair of hands, now..."
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade

Trinkets and baubles, these things hardly ever escaped the sight of Jackal. Thanks to her work with a Mawite scholar, Jackal knew how powerful and or pricey Sith artifacts are.

And a run away who wasn't part of any faction? A perfect target for both hunting and taking that little treasure of theirs, her greed for power extended far beyond the lust for money... In truth she was as power hungry as the ex Sith she was hunting, if not more.

Scarlet eyes stalk within the shadows, soon spotting a man who fit the bill of a fellow hunter... Didn't look all that impressive though.

So instead of giving away her position, Jackal continues to stalk around the ruins, keeping to the shadows as she waits for this man to provide a perfect distraction.

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Despite the progress that he'd made, and the sound of chanting and ceremony, Raphael couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. Each step made him stop and he looked around, into the shadows, into the darkness that so loved to taunt his steps, but that he so often confounded. The sooner that he could get this artifact wrapped up in a blanket, or better yet destroyed, the better. Raphael was the last kind of person that wanted to get wrapped up in this dark side junk.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Raphael simply took a breath and moved into the ruined temple, hiding behind a pillar nearby. Several individuals wer sitting around a pyramid upon a dias, chanting and praying. That was when one of the men, the one that Raphael had been hunting looked up and over at where Raphael was hiding. Then thrusting a hand at the young man, a blast of electricity flew from the man's hand and exploded as it hit the pillar, while Raphael ducked down to avoid the blast.

"Tell me, you foolish and impetuous being, why have you come? You've sought me out for a while now, little light. Is it that you wish to also commune with the darkness and learn its true power, as the rest of us have?"

Raphael drew his pistol. "Not really! To be honest, I'd prefer it if you threw a blanket over it or, better still, destroyed the stupid thing! It's screwing with all of you and its whispering is just so annoying!" The others rose and turned to him as well. He could feel that same taint on them, but not as strong, still they began to throw stones of fair size in his direction and they started to destroy the pillar he was hiding behind. With surprising agility, he leapt to the next pillar, and waited as they continued to throw. Still that darkness, whatever it was, stalked him. Or perhaps, it had followed him to this artifact? He couldn't let whatever was tailing him take it.
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade

Eyes watch, soon getting a sight of the dark holocron that these fools seemed to be learning from. One of two things was bound to happen by the looks of this, either this stranger was going to win and end up destroying such a valued item.. Or, these idiots were going to keep it all to themselves.

Either of which the Sangir didn't like, it had to be hers, and only hers.

Scarlet eyes watched as the bolt struck stone, crackling with power.. Perhaps there was a way to assist this man while also gaining what she pleased? She lines up a shot from her whipcord launcher, soon the thing launches out and coils around the relic... It had been stolen within the blink of an eye. The action did indeed let Raphael Gallustrade know he was indeed stalked by an unknown being, both him and the cultists got to see the snow-white hand cheekily snatch the artifact, darkened claws clinging around it as it was pulled into the shadows.


With her prize now in hand, and the cultists no doubt distracted by the sudden theft from the darkness, Jackal rushes to a new position on a higher ledge.

The thrill of the hunt kicks in as this unknown third party drops down a deathwasp onto the cultists below, the swarm killing a few of them in rapid succession. Once again there was a prime chance for Raphael to land a nice shot or two on any of the surviving targets.

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Of course someone'd been following him. The cultists possession was quickly turned into the thief's 'prize' as a cable suddenly shot out grabbing hold of it and pulled it to a hand. The cultists, first of course, panicked, eyes scanning and cursing the darkness, before Raphael felt something. Another ripple, shooting through space and hit him. He looked up, following the new shouts. It was...a woman? Who in the world? Never seen them before, not that it mattered. She was holding the kriffing pyramid.

There was a moment's breath and suddenly the cultists were almost all dead. With an annoyed grimace, Raphael pushed himself forward, blasting the last standing cultist with a stunbolt and then glaring up at the...whatever in kriff's name she was.

Before she could keep moving, Raphael kept up his stride, picking up speed from some use of the Force, leapt onto the dais and then leapt onto a nearby pillar pulling himself up onto the same raised level as the woman. "So, I don't know why you're taking that thing or what you wanna do with it. Frankly? I couldn't care less, but I'd prefer it not be in anyone's hands. So, if you'd be really nice, and just hand the thing over so that we can avoid a fight. I'm not a huge fan of combat, if you get my drift."

What are you doing?

Improvising? Stalling? Both! He didn't want to let this thing go...either of them.
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade

They all lie dead now, and her eyes stare at the little holocron now clutched in her pale hands, the red glow of the thing illuminated her face as she stood within the darkness. Little did she expect for this man to get to the height she herself was at... A force user it seemed.

Frantically she places the relic in her pack, bringing the woman's face back into the thick darkness as an unseen hand grips onto her blaster. Crimson eyes peer out at him, she growls faintly as a warning.​

"I don't care what you want, this is mine and mine alone! You take one step closer and I am going to beat you to death with your own arms and devour your corpse... I heard what you said, and this pretty little thing isn't going to be destroyed by someone who doesn't understand its value."

The eyes sink back into the darkness as Jackal moved far quicker than any human could, soon she would be on top of the ruins, gazing down as the stars and moon illuminated her full body by now.

"Why do you want to destroy it anyway? Seems rather stupid to me, these hold precious knowledge... Even one who can't use it can always sell it for a nice price, I just so happen to want it for myself."

The moonlight bounces right off her porcelain pale skin as they glared down at the man with a smug expression and a raised brow.

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

"I understand the value of things like that. Can you not hear it?" He asked, looking up at her. "Can you not hear the whispers? There's something of a certain way that it speaks." Just focusing, he could see see it from her bag, he didn't need to see in the dark, the pollution oozed from her in waves. She wasn't much better, but not like that thing. Her disappearing act didn't startle him in the least, given some of the things that he'd seen in his life, so far. He was actually quite expecting it. Well, perhaps not that specifically but something unexpected.

He paused a moment, making sure of his footing as he stood on the beam. "A hunter. No. A predator." He didn't reach for his pistol nor even the lightsaber that rested in his jacket pocket, instead looking up at her. His posture slowly relaxes, his heart would beat slower as he calmed himself.

You are face to face with darkness. You are face to face with a true predator. You need to be greatly on guard.

I'm well aware.

"Already, you've proven that not only are you faster, but that, no doubt, you're stronger. In such a moment, would you not prefer communication to combat? I've not met something like you before, even in my travels through the Unknown Regions, and I like to learn." His hands went into his pockets. "So what do you to a parley? An...exchange, perhaps?" It frustrated him, of course, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made.
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade

An exchange eh?

"Whispers? I hear none at all, and even if I could then I don't care. I could care less what it looks or sounds like, so long as it gives me the results I seek."

Inhuman crimson eyes focus on the man as she puts her gun away for now, as the strange woman moves, he can see battish type wings on her underarms.. Long black claws, a fanged maw, and skin as pale as snow.. This was no human at all.

"You openly admit to being weaker? Flattering, but when I am dealing with force users I can never be too careful. I know what damage it can do, just know that any tricks and I will gladly devour you bone and all."

Steadily he was making progress, despite the threat once again to eat him.

"Like to learn what? As if I trust you enough to talk about what I am, do you even deserve to know? Hmm.. What exchange are you looking to take then?"

Jackal perches herself on the ledge, still gazing down at the strange man who really seemed to not like the holocron, she can see it in his eyes. Her piercing vision staring right through him, as if looking at his very soul.

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

"If you can't hear it...how are you going to get the results? Unless you have a translator or something, I suppose. You might be able to use it, then. How will you use it?" He pondered. He could tell that she wasn't human. She was a predator of another kind. A completely different kind, one that her perhaps wasn't used to, but not one that he couldn't know about.

She was watching him and yet he could feel the ripples from the ocean that she gave off. His eyes tracked her, gingerly. Her movements and ways were exceptionally predatory. He heard her blaster go away. "I'm not going to use any tricks..." His reply wasn't annoyed, wasn't...anything, really. It was somber and concerned, yet at the same time was curious. He had her nearby, just in case. "I'm not some jedi or sith that can pick you up from nowhere and sling you across the room, after all..."

He lightly tapped at his lips. "I like to learn what I can. Information, especially when it seems trivial or innocuous, can have major consequences down the line. Though, you're a bounty hunter, so I'm sure you're well aware of that."

"There's a...large difference between our two aims, however. Unlike me I don't have to technically win. I just have to make sure that you lose. For instance, I could shoot the pyramid. By focusing Force through that thing, it would open quicker and easier. If you were to willing to sit and talk just a bit about what you are, I can..." He stopped and took a breath. "I can at least open it."
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade


Instinctively she hides it further within her pouch, keeping it safe behind some things. As the man goes on it only causes Jackal to squint at him, he was right that she couldn't read it...

"Well I... I- I will manage to read it someday! The dark fascinates me, consider me a scholar on the subject if you will. And something such as this? It would make a fine addition to what I have, I suppose you just don't understand.. Are the whispers sweet to the ear? Like the call of a siren perhaps?"

This woman was for sure rather unhinged, no doubt a future danger if she did somehow manage to get force sensitivity... The dark has many powerful rituals after all..

"No tricks at all huh? Shove it, last time I underestimated a force user I got launched into a wall, and they sure weren't a Jedi or Sith. So no chances there, I know you have some trick planned."

Jackal listens in more, still not trusting of the man at all.

"If you like to learn, then why destroy this vessel of knowledge then? Oh wait, you can't read it either... I am not a fool, in order to even open it up you need a connection to the dark. I told you, I know a thing or two when it comes to this... And I also sniffed out your trick, no way in hell you would go from wanting to destroy it to offering to read it for me."

They growl at him, sharp fangs shown as yet another threat and sign of aggression.

"You even dare to break this thing... You can't outrun me, and you can't match my strength. I can kill any pathetic human just by kicking them hard enough, I am in charge here."

Her tone grew more agitated, soon she was back to having her gun out and pointing it right at him.

"Drop your weapons and clean out your pockets.. What all do you have in that coat?"

As time went on, Jackal started to have more bat-like features, her body transforming in places with moving flesh.

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Raphael watched carefully, listening to her, eyes staring towards the crimson that seemed to watch him right back. She would read it one day? He was a bit skeptical, but knew that it wasn't impossible. There was always the chance that she could get it, though such a proposition frightened him. This one was a bit unhinged. Someone for the dark to get its claws in on, though she seemed like she was already there.

"They... The..." He shifted, a bit uncomfortably. "Promises of power, that I would be able to destroy any enemies..." He wanted to wretch. "To many such would be a siren song, yes. Also, I wouldn't have a clue about a collection that you'd been starting."

He shrugged as she replied in annoyance. "I can't blame you for not trusting me, then. I can't do anything like that, really. I can see a bit into the future, and can see when I'm in danger and react accordingly."

Her next question, though, why did he want to destroy it. "...that's complicated." His head bowed a bit, as he spoke. "I physically cannot learn from them without getting badly ill or spitting up blood. While it is true that you need a strong connection to the dark to learn the deepest secrets you don't need it to start learning from it in general."

With a few slight movements, Raphael pulled his lightsaber from his coat and blaster from its hilt and put them both on the ground and turned out the pockets on his pants. "That's it. A bit better?"
Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade

The sight of the saber causes Jackal's eyes to flick to it quickly, making it clear she didn't like it at all.

"Power is a useful tool in the right hands, with power you can be the apex. Having the strength to defend what you care for and hold dear, along with the ability to take what you want... Complacency is for the weak, ambition is what makes you strong. Think about it, don't you have ambitions? What harm is the dark if you know it is nothing but a tool?"

She hangs from the edge of the building, upside down like a bat.

"I have seen those who stand amongst the strongest of their kind, the dark lords... Their power is like that of a godly being, why would I not want such a thing? To be a god, to get what I want."

Jackal clicks her now forked tongue at him in a playful manner.

"Such a shame you will never reach that, your clock is ticking. Mine..? It stopped years ago, now I have eternal life."

With a skilled level of grace she drops from the perch and gets back down to where he was, landing on her feet as she got closer.

"I could offer you a deal, I can make the pain of your ticking clock go away, I can freeze it. You can be so much more, the hunter instead of prey... I can give you just a taste, a fraction of the strength I have.. All I require is just a little bite, is that so bad?"

Her eyes focus, gazing right into his.. Raphael would feel his mind start to become numb.. As if he was about to be in a trance, something was telling him to take the deal. Was this a mind trick? How could it be? The strange woman had no force ability.. Right?

With some effort, he could resist the tugging within his mind, but was it really her? Or was it the ambition she spoke of earlier?

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He saw how she looked at his saber, the disapproving glare, the annoyance that she had. That...made it almost seem like something of disdain or hatred to Raphael.

"Power..." he frowned. "Power is not a tool. It's something that we always think we can control, but end up really not being able to control. And I can't learn the dark. As I said, it harms me, physically. I vomit. I cough up blood..."

She was much more animal like than he'd been expecting, it was like she'd been slowly changing... Slowly changing... She was definitely very bat-like now. She even hung upside down. Become a god? How would that help? What would that do for anyone? Take what you want? No. That was a horrible thing... His clock was ticking huh? That was when she mentioned eternal life and he shivered. Death... was a gift, though... There was far too much to care about, far too much to cherish.

"That... Eternal life, whether true or not... No..." Eternal life was a horrible thing. It didn't help anyone. Her hanging upside down, her bat-like form... She was toying with him, at this point. Fortunately for him, he didn't have an excessive amount of pride like many and so, while he was afraid, he wasn't willing to allow it to stop him. He took a few breaths, his heartbeat steadying as she approached. He could certainly keep himself calm...at least...

He chuckled a bit as she approached, though every cell in his body began to scream. "A deal? There's..." Yet as he stared at her eyes he could feel his mind begin to blank out on him, as if there was something wrong. He was in a fog... "...th...d..." He took a deep breath. "...b...a f-f-fraction..." He took a breath, centering himself, but his mind was still in the fog. "...f... Strength?" Raphael couldn't look away. "...a...a little bite..." He was screaming in his head. "...not...no... A...little bite...is-isn't so bad..."

Every piece of him screamed, wanting him to escape, to run to flee. Yet her eyes called him forward. With what few steps she took, Raphael slowly covered the distance, stepping towards her, and yet... What... was calling him forward? What was demanding he step forward? Ambition? Or...was it her? He couldn't tell anymore. Despite the screaming that rang through his ears. "G... However...much...you f-feel like giving to me... I will accept without question..." With that, he knelt onto one knee, arms wide open as if to venerating her.


Raphael!! Raphael!!!! Khusrasol couldn't sense him anymore. Though their link hadn't been severed, she couldn't hear his thoughts and he couldn't hear her pleading. What was she to do? There was only one option. He was in terrible danger. She'd heard of creatures like this, but had never thought to encounter one. There was only one option. She reached out throught he Force, using her shared connection with Raphael to search out the only one that she thought could help.

Jedi Master Valery Noble! I know that you do not know me, but my name is Khusrasol. I am a friend of Raphael's and right now he is in terrible danger. We went to retrieve a sith artifact from a defector, hopefully remove it from the hands of the dangerous and, at the very least destroy it. However he has come into contact with an exceedingly dangerous creature, one that I believe might have taken his mind. From his memories I can only see a pair of red eyes and...a bat. That was all before I lost him... Please find us here... Please!!
Adeline Noctua
Valery Noble

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade Valery Noble

"Whatever do you mean? We all use power as a tool, just like when you made that jump to get to where I was. Wouldn't you say your force ability was a handy tool there? The only ones who can't control the power they gain are weak, and the strong eat the weak."

She gives a fanged grin, watching as he was starting to fall into a trance. With glee she walks closer, sure that his mind was now in a haze... He wouldn't feel a thing at all.

"Yesss, good. Give me just a moment, and you will have your reward you seek."

Jackal snickers, embracing him as her dread wings wrap around him, engulfing most of the man within the pale wings. Her fangs scrape against his skin while looking for the best spot, soon they find their mark and puncture like needles. Thankfully for Raphael, he would feel no pain as Jackal ate away at his very life, his blood quickly being sucked up.

Yet, she needed to keep her end of the deal.. Wouldn't do to kill him now would it? And so, his wish was granted... Little doses of anima are injected right into the man's neck, not enough to actually turn him, but just enough to create a thrall.

She pulls back, licking her bloodied black lips as she gazes at what she had just done.

"No need to know my name, you will hear the call to find me.. Bound to me in exchange for the dose of power I have given you."

Jackal whispers into his ear, cackling a bit soon after.

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Ruins

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Raphael Gallustrade Adeline Noctua

She had received the message.

No matter how far away, the Force could reach far across the stars in times of true need, and today, it helped a stranger connect with her to offer a serious warning. It had been a little while ago that Valery met Raphael, and worked together with him to protect a colony against some raiders. Now he needed her help, and regardless of how busy the war or the Jedi could keep her, she wasn't going to allow him to be harmed if she could do something about it.

Luckily, she had already been far away from Coruscant, returning from a mission in her X-wing. So with all of her focus, she pinpointed his location and allowed the Force to be her guide through hyperspace. It wasn't a preferred method of flight for her, as this type of navigating wasn't exactly a refined skill she had, but this was an emergency and there was no way she'd have the time to figure out exact coordinates first.

Soon enough, the ship returned to real space, and with incredible speed, Valery pierced through the atmosphere and clouds until she was able to make a speedy landing. The canopy practically flew open before she jumped outside, and as fast as she possibly could, she moved through the ruins that Raphael had entered. Something dark swirled within them, and while he was Force-sensitive, Valery feared he lacked the training and control to shield himself against it all. Perhaps that's what brought him in great peril?

"Step away from him." Valery's voice was calm and stern, as she made her approach and noticed a woman standing close to Raphael, who was on his knees and bleeding in his neck. She had dealt with Vampires before and knew what they were capable of, so she already prepared herself for what was likely going to happen next.

"If you leave now, I will not pursue," she then added. Her priority was Raphael's safety, not the capture of his attacker, so she hoped that could persuade the woman from retreating. "If you don't..." The hilt of her lightsaber slipped into the palm of her hand, her fingers wrapping around the metal while her thumb rested over the activation switch. "I will defend him."

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He didn't feel it. He didn't feel the fangs sink in, didn't feel his blood, the very water of his life, being drained nor the power of this creature enter him. He didn't hear Valery enter, didn't hear her words. What he felt was the strength hitting him, it was as if he could feel his own muscles breath for the first time. His arms felt incredibly powerful, more so than normal...and he felt like he could run...faster than he ever could've before.

Yet, even as he felt this, a second feeling overcame him, it was...illness... His body rebelled. Over the site where her fangs had sunk in, a cerulean green glow had begun to grow around the site, blood clotting in a nanosecond, wounds attempting to force themselves closed. The Force began rebelling, it wrapped around the wound. He dropped to his knees, barely keeping himself from vomitting. There...

His mind was divided in two. One part wanted, no, demanded that he take up his blade, that which he'd never used, and defend his master...defend this woman that granted him strength. Yet the other side screamed at what he was doing. The saber flew to his hand, catching it, fingers curling around the metal and leather, thumb resting over the activation switch. He... Knew what he had to do... But...he rebelled against himself, as his second hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping him.

"...I...m...m-must... Pr-Protect... mas... Maste..." No. "I... have...to... I..."

He turned to her slowly, one hand struggling with the other. "M...Master...N-Noble... I'm... S-Sorry I... I was unaware...of... m-m... My mas... Of...this..." Though Jackal might not've been able to feel it, Valery would feel the Force wrapping around him and into him, as it gathered. "I..." The feeling of strength was overwhelming but lashed out against his mind. It was what he'd never wanted, never needed was strength...power...

"Help...me..."
Valery Noble | Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade Valery Noble
​

"Step away from him."

Her pale wings had fully covered the man, and soon after Valery had spoken, they would slowly move... Allowing two crimson eyes to watch the Jedi within the veil of darkness, they focus in for a moment before Jackal steps a bit back, her more beastly features shifting back into a human looking appearance.

She stands behind him, a pale hand caressing the side of his face as a blackened claw gently sliced a bit into his flesh.
​

"I will defend him."

"From what? All I did was grant his wish, just a little dose of strength in return for a harmless bite..."
​

"...I...m...m-must... Pr-Protect... mas... Maste..."

"What a good boy you are!"

The Sangir chuckles before pressing up against his back, one hand around his waist while the other stayed idelly on the right shoulder as her head rested on the left.

"Wait.. I know you, aren't you the poster child of the galactic alliance? You are far from the front lines are you not? And very far from home.. We have already killed the Ex Sith and his little following."

The amount of people that would pay a heavy sum for this Jedi.. Airing on the side of caution, Jackal moves her hand off his right shoulder, instead it now rested on her pistol grip for a quickdraw.

"Thinking on it, that bounty you have for your capture does sound rather nice.. Never have got to try my hand at a Jedi yet, think you are quick enough to deflect my shots? Tell me, how has that war been? How does it feel to be surrounded by death?"

Her hand was more than ready to draw the gun far quicker than any mortal, the hidden clock started to tick now.

 

[Valery Noble]

Unknown Ruins

​

Outfit: Factory Link
Appearance: Link
Ship: Link
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Raphael Gallustrade Adeline Noctua

Valery watched Raphael sink down to his knees with a frown but what bothered her, even more, was the way the woman moved her way around him like a puppet master. Raphael had to fight desperately for control over himself, all while she kept pulling on the strings to keep her control over him. Strings that she would have to somehow sever if she wanted to bring him back not just alive, but safe and as himself as well.

"Stay strong, Raph, I'm getting you out of here," Valery told him while she ignored the vampire for just a second. She needed him to stay strong and to keep resisting what was trying to control him. But finally, her eyes did shift back to Jackal when she seemed to realize who Valery was.

"I'm not here for conversation," Valery said and with a quick tap of the activation switch, a violet blade ignited down by her side. She wasn't making any aggressive moves just yet, but she could feel intent through the Force, and there was no way this would be settled through discussion alone. The huntress wasn't going to give up her prey that easily.

"I've fought your kind before and I urge you to reconsider your position." She remembered her fight with Persephone, but also how Shai had responded to the flames she summoned. it didn't necessarily mean her new enemy would respond similarly but It was, however, experience and knowledge she could draw on in this clash. "Leave now and you'll remain unharmed. There has been enough suffering already," she said as she eyed Raphael for just a moment.

Please stay strong.

Finally, she brought up her blade in front of her, the hilt firmly grasped with both hands, and stared down the woman with a burning intensity in her eyes. "Last chance. I'm leaving with him one way or another."

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

A claw carved a small gouge into Raphael's cheek where Jackal had been stroking. Raphael took a breath, steadying himself, as the pain lanced through his face, but at the same time, his body didn't mind it. The wound would slowly close, once more glowing a cerulean green. He could feel her hanging on him, though her words didn't reach him. His mind was divided. One half simply wanted to give in, wanted to accept the power that this woman offered, but the other half, that part that was fighting so strongly, was focused on leaving with Master Valery Noble. He... couldn't...

He heard the thrumming of a lightsaber and a violet light caught his attention and his eyes went to it softly. The light was kind and warm... Yet he knew that his mast-- No. Not his master. He didn't have a master. Valery wasn't his master nor someone trying to teach him. This other woman, whatever her name was, wasn't his master in the traditional sense; instead she was holding power over his life.

Valery's voice came from somewhere, but he grit his teeth. Fighting...was so hard... It...was getting harder for him to focus... Whatever was going on, whatever she'd done to him... That was when something else appeared in his eyes. In his mind he could hear another voice. Familiar... Moon white eyes and pitch black sclera stared back at him..

Calm. Breath deeply. Drink of the Force about you. It is helping you, draped about you like a cloak. As best it can, it shall aid you. But you cannot give in. Fight against what she's doing... For the time being she cannot control you, as you're only so recent. As time goes on...she will gain more control over you. The call shall indeed come...and it will be difficult to resist, if not outright impossible, to resist. We must grow accustomed to what was done, first. Calm. Breathe and relax. Bring the Force's power to bear.

Raphael took a light breath. The problem was that she was already controlling him, at least to a degree. He could feel the tendrils of her desires reaching into his mind... He took a deeper breath, body shuddering a bit. He could feel the Force wrapping around him, expanding each time that he took a breath. "...I..." He flexed his fingers a bit. "...I..." One hand released the other and he clipped his saber back to his belt. "I'm...t-trying...M-M...Master Noble... I...I...It's diff--difficult..."
Valery Noble Adeline Noctua

 

[Adeline Noctua]

Equipment | In Bio
Location | Unknown ruins
Tag | Raphael Gallustrade Valery Noble

Unamused eyes watch the Jedi, seeing them draw out their saber made the Sangir chuckle a bit.

"Suffering you say? He made a deal with me, asked for the power with his own words. Not my fault it has had a reaction, how would you fix what has been done? Tsk, aww wait you can't! Such a shame, really. He is mine, and there is nothing you can do about it.. Even if you do take him from me, I will see him again one day."

She gently pet his head, pale fingers running through his locks of hair.

"Who are you talking about? The person in front of you isn't your master, they are an enemy.. Don't you wish to use the power you gained for good? To save people, be a hero? She wants to take it from you, but they can't... You will be the hero you wish to be thanks to my blood."

They whisper into his ear, soon with inhuman speeds able to rival even the reflexes given by the force.. Jackal's pistol is drawn and pokes from around him, a shot goes off, the pistol sounding like no ordinary blaster.

After making the first move, Jackal uses her rocket boots to gain some distance between her and that saber, three more shots from her "fistful of credits" are sent right at Valery.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The gun roared as the overcharged shots flew through the air, the Sangir was quick on the trigger indeed... The shots having little to no downtime between them.