A Jewelled Life [Syn]

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

Wild Space, always an interesting and dangerous place to travel. The two on board the Washborn-class medium transport, the "Serendpity" had spent standard days in hyper space. Their destination, the Red Nebula. Little is known of this area in wild space, only what Iella could gather from the Jedi Archives. But the Red Nebula is blanketed with astroids, a sun and one known planet.

Iella sat in the pilot seat and cast her eye over the control panel, soon they would be arriving and it would take all her piloting skills to get them safely to this planet. Her attention went back to her data pad to read more of her research on her treasure target. She let out a deep breath, this adventure is dangerous, treasure hunting is always dangerous, the rewards greater, more so then smuggling illegal items, but far more dangerous. In the past, she had adventured into places more well informed then this, but the reason behind this is far more important to her, priceless beyond all.

She reached out and picked up a glass of water resting on the control panel and drank. Her intake of water increased since she had fallen pregnant. Her belly, now showing a small sign of her condition as she had past the first phase.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Syn was in the Serendipity... a fitting name as he was glad. The ship was a welcome when away from the Ravenshyde. The rooms of the ship were something welcoming and the cockpit as he entered into it took a seat. The copilots seat was just how things went about. The red nebula stretched out before them as the goal. Much like other places he was prepared for anything that could come for them. The jedi master checked his equipment and breathed in deeply while he listened to the sounds of Iella. He wasn't too sure what might be here but treasures could come from anywhere. "What we are looking for, do you have an idea?"

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

Iella smiled as Syn joined her in the cockpit. She stood and went to a compartment, there she found a glass and poured him some water. She placed it in his hands for him if he wished it. "We will arrive soon", she said softly as she looked at the nav comp. His questions he had and rightly so, are ones Iella will find hard to express the answers for. Treasure hunting for gain is one thing, but this hunt was for more then that. And although she would normally have done this alone, she knew that that was not possible now. For many reasons. Syn would not allow her to place herself in danger or one, and now with the child on way, more so. But still she was placing him in danger on this personal mission. Syn far from shies away at such things and she know that he would can for her as she would for him it this situation was reversed. There was no question of that, or any doubt between them.

But the reasoning was something she had yet to talk about with him, and that is an unknown.

She took a deep breath to answer him now. "This objects we are looking for are called the Great Life Jewels, two crystals red in colour. They are said to be located in the Red Nebula. These crystals preserve life, extend it for a substantial period of time. I .. we ... have come here to find them, so that I can extend my lift to remain in the galaxy for as long as possible. I know this is a selfish act, but one that I wish to do for two reasons. To be able to remain as much as can with you, and now that we are to have a child, to be with them equally". She refers to the child as one, as she is, at this point, unaware she is carrying two. Iella stopped for the moment and drank some water. She is very nervous about all this, as there is a price to pay as there always is.

"I know there are a lot of things to be concerned about with this proposal. I am aware of the dangers. There is a catch, the crystals will work once I have them in my position, they are a pair and if seperated they will cause a disease that will kill, called Crimson Forever. Only one person has survived this disease. If I am to use these crystals, I would not do so until our child is born, I will not risk our child for this".

She turned just as the ship pulled out of hyper. The jolt setting back in the seat only slightly, this ship's inertia control is one of the best. Before her lay the Red Nebula. Her eyes widened and she sucked in a sharp breath, at the beauty of it. Immediately a memory can to her mind, a memory back in the cargo bay of the Ravenshyde, that wonderful day in training. When Syn placed his lips on her neck and blow a gently breath to show her the Galaxy. However, she will not move the ship until she hears his response. Because they may be turning around to go home.

At that moment, a small feeling took her by surprise. She looked down at her stomach and giggled. Iella sat for a moment, and concentrated on this feeling and she smiled. Standing, she moved over to Syn and once more took his hand and placed it on her lower stomach. "Feel that!, the baby is moving". Such a strange sensation, having a living being inside your body.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

He listened to her and understood more then she knew. The idea of living longer of living to be with ones she loved could be... An interesting prospect. He didn't know if she would be able to handle it, living longer then some it wasn't always a gift. His face though turned to her as the sight of the Red Nebula came into view, his words came out. "A long life Iella will not always be a gift but this is not something I would deny you." He wouldn't stop her in this pursuit... No he would help her and ensure she was safe to enjoy it. Turning the gems into something so she could keep them together so she didn't get sick.

Then his eyes and hand went to her stomach... He raised his head feeling it there. Movement and the force rippled in her stomach in her womb as he breathed in deeply. It only served to ensure that he was making the smart decision. He was choosing her and family for the time over some, this was something small and selfish and much like other things in the galaxy... It was best to make sure it was safe guarded. Away from those who might use it for evil purposes, someone who might twist this gift into something perverted or wrong. A long life could breed wickedness or danger but Iella was many things. Nonw of them he had seen wicked. "I can feel it, now come and let us find your treasures. It would be smart to safeguard it from evil hands."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

Iella reached out to Syn and placed her hand gently on his and lightly squeezed it, by way of thanks. "I am going to need your help. This is going to take all my piloting skills to simply get us through the asteroid field let alone the comets and meteors", she coughed a little, "Did I fail to mention that?". She smirked a little. "So I need some help with strength for concentration".

Before he could change his mind, Iella began to move the ship. Engaging the sublight engines, the thrusters roaring as the ship edged toward the belt. She opened up her mind to the force she reached out toward the galaxy seeing the Nebula in her mind. The moving shifting unstable place focused in her mind's eye, she could feel it's motion, the undulating pattern of chaos and volatility. The planet that is their target sat large in the landscape pictured in her mind. She quickly strapped in to the seat. "You bests strapped in too, I hope you don't get motion sickness".

Iella guided the ship through the asteroids, they are heavy enough to deal with, she would try to avoid the comets if possible. Asteroids are unpredictable enough without adding projectiles. She banked the ship left and right, weaving though the large churning rock. The sizes of some enormous and lumbering, others smaller and proved more of a challenge. The chaotic pattern coming to her, the motions of them given to her by the force moments before they moved. The force telling her when and where to fly. She sent the ship up on a sharp angle, pushing it up and over a large asteroid, then down again in an abrupt angle. Banking right and left, having the ship dance among the star dust.

She let the motion of the force take her and the ship, her concentration singular on the job, to falter would be death. Then she saw it, the Red Planet. The ship was now clear and she opened her eyes to see the scarlet cloud of the nebula all around her. She let out a long breath and with a more relax posture she entered the atmosphere and descended to ground.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Motion sickness? His mind was racing to guess how she meant while they moved. He wouldn't get sick, not really, no he would hold it in for the time being and focus on her. If she needed the strength to concentrate and be more acute he would do just that. Quickly his senses narrowed going only to her, he breathed shallowly letting that bond between them be open on his end. Something he normally focused on keeping marginal unless needed now he let be full bore. He pushed confidence and revitalization into his padawan, into his queen with glee letting the force around them be soothing and cool. He had been working on just this, had been focusing on supporting his allies and could do just that. "You know I shall always be there to help you. Now lets get through this nebula."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

The ship touched down near the starport, there would be minimal security to go through as this is not under any government control. The only security would be the local authorities. They did not pay that much attention to new comers. Unless they got into trouble within the city. Iella turned in her seat and faced Syn. "Thankyou that helped greatly, we are through", she thought for a moment. They needed some kind of cover here as they needed to find out the location of the old Temple. She had little information of this Temple, all she really knew was that it once housed the Crystals, and if they are not there anymore there might be a clue to their location within the it. Treasure hunting is filled with many variables and one place will lead to another. Sometimes it is easy and straight forward but mostly not, and in this case she suspected the latter.

"We need to go into the city and speak to the locals about the Temple, it is a long shot but they might still be there, or have some information about where they might be". She started. "To make it easy for a cover, we could be tourists and a couple, just here as curious people. No cantinas I think, more the markets that kind of thing". She was thinking out loud. "If we arouse suspicion that we are after the crystals then the locals might get angry or worse". She smiled wickedly, "Do you think you could play my lover? .. we could always have some .. practice".

She got up from the seat and walked over to Syn. Iella leaned down and kissed him hard on the lips and nuzzled his cheek with her nose.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Syn listened and understood her plan or at least most of it, the idea of pretending to be lovers brought a smile then a laugh to his face as he sat there. Then she was kissing him and her felt the warmth linger on his lips until she muzzled her cheek. The more they were together and more she seemed to pick up some of his traits, or maybe it was just getting to that enjoyable point of comfort. So many things could be going either way. It was almost maddening but he was willing to do all that was needed to help her to ensure this hunt was successful and as it stood he would do anything to have more time with her further down the line. Best to handle that now then be obsessive in a few decades.

"Well a few hours of practice to make sure we have the parts right couldn't hurt there is that one pole in the one room I could maybe." He let it trail off in a joke while rising to just hold her hands while his face nuzzled her neck. "You know I would go anywhere with you and it will be most fun on the ride. Now come lets find your gems and I will follow your lead. This should hopefully go better then the last undercover mission with your brother." He didn't need more it wasn't an easy thing to do and not all liked that they were back in the order.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

"Well I am always up for more training .. you know that", she whispered in his ear in response to his suggestions about practice. She held him of a moment as she listened to him, the warmth of him filling her and only serving the light the fire in her .. again. She smiled at the mention of the pole, oh my, what a sight that would be as she searched her pockets for credits, something she could use to throw at him if he was to dance for her. "Oh, I am all out of credits", she joked.

"I can't promise this hunt will be less problematic then with Kale, but all I know is that I am happy you are here .. .. remember that the same feelings go for me too, I would follow you to wherever you wish to take me".

Iella followed Syn out of the ship, the light of day brushing her face with warmth, a dry heat but not unbearable. Heading into the city, along he wide street, she took his hand in her's and walked at a slowly pace. Wide eyed and looking around at the place, like she was on holidays. She is dressed in normal clothes, no sign of her true identity showing save for her lightsaber resting in a light holster, under a small jacket.

"Darling I would like to do some shopping, can we find the markets?", she asked to start the role play.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

He held her close and gave a nod in agreement it was an interesting way to go about it with everything that had happened and now.. Well now after he had given the bravado he would have to find a way to live up to it. He would have to make sure there was when they returned or at least as he grinned leaving the ship. The news of it being possibly less problematic then with her brother was welcoming at least. He followed down not understanding the character idea but her calling him darling did bring a smile to his face. He slipped into something more casual standing there with his black shirt and a coat on, his hand in hers while he moved.

He couldn't not sell being anything else but blind so staying close to Iella at least to have it look like she was guiding him would have to be enough while he breathed in deeply the scent of the world. The different things with her underneath it to identify her always. Now he just looked around letting his senses flare around them to the people.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

Her thumb gently caressed the back of his hand as they walked to the market. This was not part of the "play", but her touch of intimacy for him. However, her eyes darted around the market looking at all the sentients working there behind the stalls and within some of the shops that formed as the back drop to the main trading area. The peoples of the Red Nebula over time and history had grown suspicious of off worlders, many times have visitors tried to capture these illusive crystals and now they had moved into the realm of myth, to a point, but the suspicion remained. It became that ingrained that anything would cause them to close up, anything they considered to be meddling regardless of the subject. They are intriguing beings, red of skin humanoids, and highly intelligent. Because of the nature of the location in the galaxy they are not plagued by politics of the greater galaxy, sure they have their own home grown constitution and laws that bind them to civil duty, but by and large they are free and do not feel the need to befriend others. They are self sufficient in all things, trading and development with their own means and with those that have formed a bond over time. The planet's location within the comets, asteroids is a natural defense against any who would wish to invade, but the planet actually offers very little by way of natural resources. So for hundreds of years they have gone about busy in isolation, with some disruptions from time to time.

Iella had stopped at some of the stalls, pretending to be interested in the wares of the seller, and at random she would ask a question that might help give a clue to the location of the temple. It simply would not do to just come out and ask, after all the Temple is the very thing they are guarded against, the very thing that had their planet in the focus for unwanted attention. But so far, Iella got nothing. She did not wish to use mind tricks for anything that would connect them to being Jedi, no they would have to do this the hard way. They had to remain as uninteresting to the locals and their police authorities as possible.

She decided to try a food stall. She let go of Syn's hand and placed her arm around his waist and pulled him to her a little. As she walked she could feel his muscles moving across his back and the movement of his walk, his hips and just for this moment she enjoyed the feeling.

"Lets get something to eat, I am starving", she said in a light hearted voice. She opened up a telepathic link. We need the location of the temple, that is where we shall find something, find a clue, these beings will be suspicious of us, but maybe here we can find out.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Syn continued to follow, there was much going on while he felt the locals thoughts on the surface... It was dangerous to try and mind trick them they weren't here as jedi or at least not as ones from the order. All needed to remain quiet and not come back around to others. He felt her hand move to his waist and lead him towards the scents of food, a grin came to his face at that. Her words in his head had more then the ones coming from her mouth while he agreed. If we need to, I can hide us from their sight. I have been practicing the white current and can hide us. "Yes some food sounds good I am hungry as well."

The jedi master looked around seeing the people and feeling their eyes on them while he kept his senses trained on the people, his thoughts on the task and enjoying the time they were here. His energy could flex around them for the current if they were needed to hide and conceal the pair. He had been practicing his teachings to be stronger for a purpose since he learned about Iella, since he had felt something deep down and he could do so much with it. He saturated them lightly in the immersion, in the current enough to mask most of their force signatures, to others they would seem like any other being in the galaxy.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

She could feel the wrapping of the force around her now, something she had felt from him before, a clever thing to do. Syn's intelligence probably the most valued thing to her, in the sense that this attracted her to him in the first place, that and he is handsome. That clever cocky Jedi Master she met on Tatooine. She smiled for a moment with the thought. She did not reply there was no need to, he would know if the time came for that.

Iella found a small outdoors cafe, some small tables and chairs spilled out onto the street near the main part of the caf. She choose one and sat, "Oh this is pleasant darling", she said as she took his hand again over the table and held it. Actually it kind of was. The streets architecture is pleasing to the eye, the walkway lined with trees and flowers and Iella enjoyed them. Soon a waiter appeared, telling them of the days menu, but not the usual fair for the galaxy, more local dishes. "Oh I think I will leave that to you, although I do like meat, rare please, so choose something for me that will suit", she said with a smile. "And a bottle of water please".

She would wait for Syn to order, and on his return with the food, she would try this waiter for information.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

The scents of the flowers and the trees were more then enough to tell him what was around now and the look of the place may have been very pleasing but he could not make it out fully. Then he was being led to a seat and took it not seeing the menu. He just scented the air lightly for the smell of the foods while listening to Iella order then turned to the waiter. "I shall have what she does please." The jedi master continued to brush the white current around them to hide them presence. He could and had learned how to do it almost sub consciously now as time goes on and breathed deeply listening to the rest. Gathering information here would require one of two ways, either they could persuade the people... Or mind trick. Using force wouldn't get them much if anything it would get them false leads."This is I am sure a wonderful sight to behold."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

Her eyes followed the waiter as he bustled around the other tables as their food was being prepared. As the place is small he was always in ear shot of them, even though probably not paying them any attention. "Darling, I think we have seen just about everything here in this beautiful city. But it might be nice to go and see something else, something of the county side perhaps?". Iella knew that the Temple was not in the city, that much she did have, but the direction ... no. The water was brought to the table with a couple of glasses, and the waiter left.

Iella placed a glass in front of Syn and herself and poured the ice cold liquid. "Water for you my darling". She giggled internally, Syn had never had so many "darlings" in his life no doubt. She took a sip and smiled looking out over the scene, pretending to be lost in it. The waiter returned with the food. As he was about to leave, Iella spoke.

"Excuse me, but can you help. We are looking for something to do.. .. .. we have seen the city, but would like to go into the county side and visit there, do you have any suggestion?". She asked with a smile.

The waiter stopped and looked at her, then sighed. He did not care for these types, these tourists, he only wanted to get out of this place, off this infernal rock. Adventure was all he desired but no, he is stuck here, serving these stupid beings and their stupid question of sight seeing.

"Look I don't know, there is not much out in the 'country side' as you put it, only rock. As you might have guessed", looked at her as if she is a idiot. "You could go to see the old Temple I suppose", indicating with his hand to the east of the city. That was all she needed, a general direction. Iella stopped him before he continued.

"Thankyou, I will look into it", she simply said, the less said of it the better now, so they would not draw unwanted ears to the conversation. The waiter shrugged and walked away. Iella took a bit of her food.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

The water was soothing to say the least, he could have poured it and knew the small secrets. A finger in the glass to feel when the water is high enough but then their food was arriving. His senses brushed delicately against the waiter as he listened to Iella. Then he was surprised, her ability to was it charm... was it just her reading the situation and him to get the answer. It actually seemed to easy to him for a moment but the temple in the east brought his attention while he reached with his senses to see if he could feel anyone there. it didn't work but he spoke smelling the food while he looked to the waiter speaking low. "Thank you."

He head turned back over to look at Iella and spoke a small smirk coming over his face. She had been saying darling so much it was sweet to the degree of teeth rotting.. in a good way though. He very much enjoyed it. She had just shown charming skills when it comes getting information from people, it only showed by he loved her more. Showed why he would do anything for her and was filled with good humor she would be able to feel through their bond. "That was masterful darling, very well done." The words came strange but he did slice into the food bringing a piece to his mouth. It was very good.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

"Oh I learn from the best", she matched his good humour as she could feel it now. She loved his smile and it was good to see him doing it. So much had happened lately and she was pleased he was a little relaxed and enjoying the place. She too started to eat, it was good indeed and she enjoyed the rare bloody meat. She smiled as she took a bite more. A flash of a rememberance in her mind of 'that' night at the feasting on Cathar. But that was not the only flash she felt at this memory of it, Syn would feel that too, he would feel the emotion that are attached to that memory. A small trickle of blood running down her chin, Iella quickly wiped it way with a napkin.

"It seems to be getting a little ... warm .. the weather", she said, charming she might be or can do, but cheek is her forte. Her hand moved away from her plate and under the table. In a sharp movement, she grabbed his inner thigh and squeezed firmly.

"One problem though .. I don't have any credits ... do you?", she said whispering taking more food, and wonder if they could pay for the food.

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Syn nodded in agreement, it was getting pretty warm and he listened to her. A larger smile appearing as she mentioned where she learned such skills from. It wasn't exactly something he was known for but a frown came at the mention of no credits. She was the one who knew the actual value they had he just handed over whichever ones he had on him. A look went across his face for a moment before he dug into his robes bringing out the stipend of credits the jedi usually traveled with. He gave them over to Iella and spoke softly. "Sometimes you do the funniest things that makes me love you more. When we are done here and paid shall we head off?"

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

@[member="Syn"]

A soft laugh came from her as he spoke, "Funny things? well I shall have to keep doing them then, make you love me beyond measure". She continued to eat, happy that Syn had enough credits to be able to cover the cost of the meal, she did not fancy doing a runner, consider they needed to remain off the radar.

We will have to return to the ship, how far east we need to go is unknown and walking might be foolish. She said telepathically. Iella put the correct amount of credits on the table as they both finished their meals. It is very enjoyable to say the least .. just being here with him in this setting, it is almost as if they are .... normal? A normal couple enjoying each others company. Well, they are far from normal, at least in the sense that they are Jedi. Their time together is spent in other ways and means, no less enjoyable.

Iella returned the remain credits back to Syn, for fear of spending the last of it on something on the way back in one of the stalls. She is a woman after all and does like to shop. But a thought crossed her mind, they did need to get more and she had bucket loads .. but how to get to them? She doubted that there was a bank exchange here that would hold her credits or have affiliation with her bank. It would still have to wait.

She took the last of her water and stood. "Darling", one more darling to end the day, "Shall we go back to our room now, we can enjoy the sights more tomorrow, maybe we can turn in early this evening", she said with a large amount of cheek. As much as that was exceptionally appealing, in reality they would go back to the ship and travel to the east.

Iella linked his arm and began the walk ....

 

[Syn]

@[member="Iella E`ron"]

Syn smiled and enjoyed the idea of her learning more from him but she was right somewhat. Walking to the temple and not knowing the true distance would and could be foolish. He would have to run most likely maybe but it mattered little when he finished and stood up offering his arm. "Yes let us return to the room and come out later in the evening. We shall take in the sights. Or at least you will." He was ready to head back to prepare and make sure everything they had to do was ready. He continued to walk with her an moved his linked arm to her shoulder and held her closer. just enjoying the feeling of having her there. "Lets get you some souvenirs from our trip to the red nebula."