Private Bird In Hand, Two Sith In The Bush

[Sofiel]

"Remember, just pick up the package for me and come right back. You can do that for me, can't you?"

A pale woman just smiled towards the expressionless mask that was her Familiar's face. As always, the mask didn't have a way to respond, emote, anything more than a simple nod was just impossible. But, none the less, it understood it's mission and it did indeed nod once. The size of the package mattered little, so it would do what was asked of it without delay. Vorthruz extended it's wings before taking off in the evening sun. Permanent evening sun, anyway. Ryloth didn't seem to turn.

Which was fascinating. How did a planet that couldn't cycle between night and day truly work? The sun was constantly hot. The forest was constantly dark. The duality was beautiful. Sofiel leaned her chin on her hand as she stared down the faint line of the world trapped in eternal sunset.

No matter which side, it truly did belong to the Dark.

...

The 'package' in question wasn't truly a package. Deeper within the forest, where the sun never reached, there were special herbs. A flower that never knew the warmth of the light had many uses to Vorthruz's master. The winged creature landed within one of the glades where the flower was said to be. It's oddly long legs bunched up under it's wings as it tucked them in, it's expressionless face scanning the floor around it. It cared little for potential threats. Nothing here was a threat to it, not in a way that mattered.

So it only focused on it's given task, ignorant of the threat lurking just close by.

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn moved with deliberate grace through the dense undergrowth, his steps carefully measured to avoid making any unnecessary noise. The gnawing ache of hunger had become a constant companion, driving him to scour the wilderness of Ryloth for sustenance. His montrals twitched and adjusted, attuning to the slightest rustles and vibrations in the air. The vibrant hues of his skin melded with the surroundings, his togruta instincts honed by years of living close to nature.

A flicker of movement caught his attention, and his senses sharpened. His heart quickened as he spotted Vorthruz, a bird-like creature with feathers as dark as the midnight sky, perched on a low-hanging branch. Vorthruz's presence was like a guiding light in Kai'lyn's hunt. His bare feet shifted softly against the terrain, each step calculated to minimize his presence. His vibrant eyes locked onto Vorthruz, his focus narrowing down to a laser-like precision. Hunger fueled his determination, every fiber of his being fixated on the elusive prey.

As he closed the distance, his breathing remained steady, his body a coiled spring ready to unleash its energy. His montrals swiveled slightly, capturing even the tiniest shifts in Vorthruz's movements.

He slowed his approach, his senses working in harmony with the environment. Vorthruz, with its owl-like demeanor, became the center of his world. His muscles tensed, his anticipation mounting. The moment was ripe, and thus Kai'lyn pounced. His lithe form shot through the air, propelled by an instinctual force.

Time seemed to slow as he closed the gap, the distance between him and Vorthruz shrinking rapidly. His hands extended, fingers splayed wide, and claws extended ready to grasp his quarry.

 

[Sofiel]

All the while, Vorthruz didn't move far from where it was surveying. The flowers it needed had to be close, right? Yes, in fact. it did a little hop towards a bushel, clearly pleased that it'd found what it'd been looking for. A taloned foot reached out, far longer than the rest of it's body, to pluck the flower and bring it up to the white mask that acted as it's face. It split straight down the middle, parting to reveal something unseen as it put the flower away.

The mask shortly reformed after, seamlessly whole once again. Just as the bird was suddenly pounced and tackled to the ground. There was a flutter of wings as it was grabbed, but no other sound came from the masked creature as it's white mask turned to stare at the thing that had dared to tackle it.

Sofiel blinked from where she sat some miles away. And smiled, just a little. She could see through her Familiar's eyes, after all. Her voice came from the mask as she spoke, calmly between sips of a red vintage she'd ordered.

"What are you trying to do with my bird, boy?"

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn was about ready to plunge his long sharpened fangs into the 'bird' he had caught, his primal instincts urging him to satisfy his hunger. But just as he was about to sink them in, he suddenly paused, his senses tingling with an unfamiliar presence. Startled, he clutched the bird close to his chest, his eyes darting quickly around the surroundings. His vibrant gaze scanned the undergrowth, searching for any signs of the voice that had interrupted his moment of triumph. Confusion furrowed his brow as he found neither a physical form nor any indication of someone watching him. His little claws dug into the familiar he caught and clutched it with a feral intensity as his head snapped left and right his eyes darting about. This was his meal and nothing was going to take it from him. The only reply he gave was a feral hiss towards the wilderness around himself, quickly followed by a growl that could only be described as possessive. Or so he thought. Seeing no immediate danger or threat to take his newfound food away he moved to commit to trying to eat the bird-like familiar in his grasp with an animalistic voraciousness.

 

[Sofiel]

"Ah, eat it."

The voice echoed from Vorthruz itself as it struggled in his grasp. Familiars weren't powerful, not in the slightest. It might as well be a bird in stature and strength alone. Eventually the struggling just ceased as it realized it couldn't escape. The moment the boy went to take a bite, though the white mask suddenly split. All at once the small bird tripled in size as the mask parted, revealing nothing.

Actual nothing. The lack of something. It was just a void in the truest sense. And with it came danger. The Force cried out a warning as a small, red glow started to form within the emptiness.

"I can't have you eat my familiar. Die peacefully, boy."

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

A startled confusion washed over Kai'lyn's features as the being in his grasp shifted and seemingly opened up. The morbid curiosity of encountering something entirely unfamiliar momentarily halted his intention to devour his freshly caught meal. His eyes narrowed as he observed the little glowing red hue emanating from within the creature. A surge of unease prickled at his senses. Without second thought, he thrust the creature away from himself and out of his hands, a surge of instinctive alarm jolting through him. Immediate danger loomed, and he reacted with breakneck speed, disappearing into the overgrowth of the woods.

His heart raced, the sudden burst of movement fueled by adrenaline and his flight or fight response in full swing. He needed to put distance between himself and whatever threat had revealed itself. The bizarre creature he had caught was clearly problematic, and he didn't dare linger to ponder its nature further. The thought that it might not be suitable for consumption crossed his mind, but he didn't dwell on it. Survival was paramount, and he wouldn't risk his well-being on an strange and potentially dangerous prey.

Kai'lyn's gaunt form moved through the shadows of the forest surroundings, his speed astonishingly inhuman even in his weakened state. Starvation gnawed at him, a relentless ache that fueled his burning drive. He needed sustenance, and he had lost precious energy on the wrong target. He didn't have the luxury to waste time or strength on anything that posed a threat. His focus recentered on his primal instincts, his togruta senses attuned to the hunt. With a renewed hunger, he prowled the undergrowth, seeking a different prey to overpower and devour with reckless abandon.

Survival was all that mattered now, and he wouldn't be deterred by strange and perilous encounters. His hunt would continue, a dance of predator and prey that echoed the age-old rhythm of the untamed wilderness. It didn't take him long to happen across small reptilian creatures which he descended upon with voracious appetite. There was no hesitation as he shoveled the small creatures within his grasp into his fanged mouth. A hand reached out and stopping several of the small creatures from fleeing from him instinctively as if they were held by invisible threads.

 

[Sofiel]

The red glow flashed out as an utter blast of lightning, ripping up through the forest and clouds above the moment Kai'lyn relinquished the Familiar and scurried away. That was curious on it's own. He didn't seem the brightest. Feral, almost, but perhaps even a feral animal could sense danger. Still, as Sofiel sipped her wine at the estate she was lounging in, she couldn't help but find herself curious.

Far too curious, truly.

"Forget the flowers, Vorthruz. Follow them. See if they are something.. Special."

The shadow of a bird settled itself down, shrinking back to it's original size as the mask pieced itself together. Then it took off in flight. Silent as any owl, right after where the boy had disappeared. Only to have to truly hurry. Vorthruz had assumed the boy would be slow enough to follow with ease. It was not the case at all. What started as a leisurely flight had the bird like creature furiously flapping it's wings to keep up.

More proof that there was something more to the boy. Fascinating.

The final line? Watching the boy freeze his next prey. Vorthruz perched on one of the nearby branches, it's eyeless mask watching the boy now exclusively.

"You seem hungry, boy. Incredibly hungry. What are you doing so deep in a forest like this alone and so hungry?"

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

He quickly plucked up the frozen little lizards, slurping them down after the first initial bites to sever the spinal cords, and swallowed them one after the other, rapidly consuming his meager meal. The sound of that voice again caused his muscles to tense, and he hastily snatched up the last of his lizards, shoveling them down with a sense of urgency. His eyes darted toward the creature he sensed, its presence a disturbance in the rhythm of the forest. Another feral snarl erupted from his throat, accompanied by a glowering sneer. His narrowed eyes bore into the creature, a mix of caution and concern flickering in their depths. It had followed him, an unsettling revelation that heightened his wariness.

With slow and deliberate movements, his bare feet slid across the ground, distancing him from the creature that had intruded upon his solitary hunt. His senses were on high alert, his instincts telling him that this being could potentially be a threat. While he understood the words it spoke, the manner of its speech remained foreign to him, a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

Surprisingly, his own voice cut through the tension, each word delivered with a fierce glowering. "Leave me be, else I will rend your limbs apart piece by piece," he declared, his tone unwavering and commanding. The words were a stark warning, a direct demand for solitude. He didn't bother with diplomacy, his message plain and clear.

Hissing like a cat baring his impressive fangs, he suddenly darted away, fleeing from the ominous presence that had disrupted his solitude. He had no desire to become prey to that strange bird-like creature. His movements were fluid and agile as he navigated the thickly wooded terrain. Like a gust of wind, he glided through the trees, his toes splaying over root systems, adapting to the terrain, and executing rapid turns as if he were an extension of the very forest itself.

 

[Sofiel]

"I would be very interested in seeing if that's something you can do."

If the mask could smile, it would be by the tone of voice. And yet, it hadn't changed in the slightest asides from leaning forward further on it's perch. Regardless of what he ate he seemed voraciously hungry still. He ran, but rather than let him go this time the white mask split open to once more unleash a blast of red lightning right before where he was intending to run. All to obliterate the ground.

And the will to run.

"Stay. We have something to talk about now, boy."

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn's muscles tensed as the voice addressed him once more, its words carrying a curious edge. He regarded the creature that had been following him with a mix of caution and skepticism. His gaze shifted between the being and the dense foliage around him, his instincts urging him to remain on guard.

He hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his features as he absorbed the implications of the creature's words.

Despite the underlying curiosity, the mask-like entity hadn't changed its expression in the slightest. Kai'lyn sensed a subtle challenge, a test of his abilities, and the unease that came with it.

"I would be very interested in seeing if that's something you can do."

Before he could react or respond, the unexpected occurred. The white mask before him split open, unleashing a blast of red lightning that scorched the ground directly in his intended path. The sudden explosion obliterated his will to run, grounding him in place. His heart raced, and a mix of fear and curiosity warred within him as the voice commanded him to stay.

"Stay. We have something to talk about now, boy."

the voice commanded a note of authority underscoring its words. Kai'lyn's instincts told him that fleeing would only lead to more trouble, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. His fingers tightened around the grip of his makeshift spear, his vibrant eyes fixed on the mask, his expression a blend of defiance and uncertainty as the togruta regarded this new would-be adversary with caution.

With a tense resolve, he nodded once, acknowledging the creature's demand. He might not fully understand the situation, but he knew that his best chance of survival lay in facing whatever this encounter held head-on.

"Then speak. "

 

[Sofiel]

He was still fiercely ready to defend himself, even with the animalistic understanding of danger that was clearly in his eyes. Good. Sofiel took another soft sip from her drink as she continued to watch and speak through the mask of Vorthruz.

"You have a gift. I want to exploit it. In return, I will sate that hunger you seem to have. Of course, only if you can prove yourself useful. It's a pretty simple arrangement, if I learned anything."

Vorthruz hopped down, one of it's uncomfortably long legs extending out to touch the ground close by the boy before the rest of it's body arrived with it as if the limb was little more than a stretched spring. It was larger now, much larger. Twice the size of the boy and looming over him.

"This is not an offer."

The usually calm voice of Sofiel drifted out with a far more sinister tone as Vorthruz leaned closer. The absense of space under it's split mask once more glowed with an otherworldly red. But rather than lightning or some furnace as before, they focused into two pins of red. So close, and yet unfathonably far.

"You understand, yes?"

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn's instincts were still sharp, his eyes reflecting a deeply embedded understanding of danger as he faced the mysterious entity before him. His readiness to defend himself remained, his body poised for action despite the unease that gripped him. As the voice continued to speak through the mask of Vorthruz, his attention remained locked onto the creature, the sense of danger and curiosity mingling in his gaze.

Sofiel's words carried a weight that demanded his attention.

"You have a gift. I want to exploit it. In return, I will sate that hunger you seem to have. Of course, only if you can prove yourself useful. It's a pretty simple arrangement, if I learned anything."

The proposition hung in the air, a calculated offer that Kai'lyn was forced to reckon with.

Vorthruz hopped down, one of its unnaturally long legs extending to the ground near Kai'lyn. The creature's transformation into a larger, more imposing form didn't go unnoticed by him. He watched warily as the creature loomed over him, the atmosphere growing heavier with each passing moment.

"This is not an offer."
"You understand, yes?

Kai'lyn's unease deepened as he contemplated the proposition. He was cautious, wary of any arrangement that bound him to this entity. He slowly leaned away from the creature, his gaze shifting rapidly like a cat's, assessing the situation from every angle. The demand had been laid out before him: to be kept for use in exchange for sustenance. The notion grated against his sense of freedom, and he felt a surge of bitterness and detestation.

"You wish to keep me for use in exchange for food? You wish to keep me as a pet," he retorted, his words carrying a sentiment of defiance and indignation. The implication of refusal was clear—a fate likely riddled with suffering and pain, perhaps even worse. While his hunger clawed at him, a newfound sense of anxiety swelled within him. The memory of the lizards he had hastily consumed now churned in his stomach.

The stakes were high, and Kai'lyn's mind raced, grappling with the inner turmoil of being bound to a fate of bondage, a fate not unlike the one he had managed to escape from. The memories of his time as a slave lingered in the shadows of his thoughts, a haunting reminder of the desperation that had driven him to flee. He knew there were worse things than bondage and servitude, things that lurked in the darkness. But he also knew that there were moments of lull, of guarded security, when he could seize an opportunity to escape once again.

As he stood there, facing the looming figure of Vorthruz, he felt a mixture of resentment and pragmatism warring within him. The offer before him was a choice between surrendering his freedom once more or facing the uncertainty of the wilderness alone and hunger. The decision weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he found himself reluctantly yielding to the inevitable.

His gaze steady as he looked at Vorthruz. The words echoed in his mind as he struggled to find a balance between survival and self-determination. The decision to comply with the creature's demand hung in the air, the gravity of it sinking in as he reconciled with the reality of his circumstances.

Begrudgingly he acquiesced, "Then feed me," he finally spoke, his voice a blend of resignation and determination. The words were a cautious agreement, a reluctant acceptance of the terms presented to him. He had chosen to step onto this path, to accept a semblance of security in exchange for his abilities. It was a complex decision, one that held both promise and peril. But for now, his immediate need for sustenance overshadowed the storm of emotions churning within him.

 

[Sofiel]

"Yes."

There was no deceit, no malice, nothing more than a matter of fact tone. Sofiel had no reason to lie, especially here in the dark jungle. Her voice echoed from the void this time, as well as the white mask.

Which, promptly expelled a bundle from within. It was simply a lunch box, filled with a simple, well balanced meal. The red eyes didn't move from him, staring deep as they watched curiously.

"You will be my pet, I suppose. Until you prove you can be something more. It is our nature to teach, but never for free."

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn's wariness persisted as he observed the mysterious object it had ejected. He hopped to the side, maintaining a cautious distance as he regarded the object with a mixture of skepticism and suspicion. His instincts were finely tuned, a byproduct of his life on the run and the hardships he had faced.

With a calculated movement, he cautiously approached the object, his long-clawed hands reaching out to grasp it. His fingers wrapped around it, a combination of curiosity and caution guiding his actions. He held it up, examining it with a critical eye, searching for any signs of deception or danger. His senses were on high alert as he opened the object, his fingers working nimbly to reveal its contents.

As the contents were unveiled, his vibrant eyes narrowed as he peered inside. He didn't immediately give in to his hunger, his instincts compelling him to take precautionary measures. He leaned closer, sniffing at the contents as if assessing them for any unusual scents or signs of poisons. His heightened senses and survival instincts, were honed by the trials he had faced.

Assured that the meal didn't appear to pose an immediate threat, he relented. With swift movements, he devoured the contents within moments, his hunger overriding any lingering doubts. His focus was singular as he consumed the sustenance, his senses attuned to any changes in his environment. The act was a delicate balance between caution and necessity, a habbit that had become second nature to him in the untamed wilds of Ryloth.

 

[Sofiel]

"I'll take your enjoyment of that meal as agreement."

Enjoy was certainly a strong word for it, considering it had no taste or flavor. Vorthruz continued to grow in size though, it's shadowy form now draping through the trees like a cloth of pitch black. More, the void itself seemed to grow as it leaned closer.

"But now you have to make amends for trying to eat my precious Vorthruz."

And like a curtain Vorthruz fell to consume the boy in shadow. It was a whirling mist of miasma with no shape or reason, pulling at every part of his body like ice cold claws. When the sensation ended, he'd awake in a room of the same color. No light, no substance, just a vast and voidless room. Save for the pair of red eyes from before. They had a vaguely humanoid shape, but no real substance to them. No defining features, nothing.

"Now we can talk properly. Face to face."

Kai'lyn

 

[Braze]

...

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn's eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld the creature's incredible transformation, growing to heights that seemed impossible. His sense of scale was shattered, and he found himself witnessing something beyond the natural order of things. A sense of awe mingled with the unease that had settled within him.

His nose twitched as he listened to the following words, each syllable driving home the realization that he was entwined in something far beyond his control. The world around him shifted as darkness began to descend, enveloping everything in its shroud. Panic surged within Kai'lyn as he tried to dart away, only to find his escape route cut off by the all-encompassing darkness. The shadows closed in on him, a suffocating grip that left him disoriented and terrified.

His heart raced, beating like a drum, and he spun around in a frantic frenzy, his eyes wide with terror. His primal instincts took over, and his body tensed for a fight, ready to tear and rend anything that closed in on him. He clawed at the very shadows that seemed to dig into his skin, his desperation manifesting in guttural, shrieking sounds. But the darkness was unyielding, an adversary beyond his physical reach.

Inevitably, he succumbed to the consuming blackness. His struggles faded, and with a final gasp of resistance, he surrendered to the void.

Suddenly, he awoke with a start, his body drenched in a cold sweat. He sat up abruptly, his chest heaving as he panted for breath. His wide eyes darted around the surroundings, searching for any sign of the darkness that had overtaken him. The remnants of fear still clung to him, his heart racing in the aftermath of the harrowing experience. With shaky movements, he stood, his gaze scanning the area with wild intensity, every fiber of his being on edge. He settled his gaze on the red pin pricks that seemed to overlook him and he paused uncertain of where he was or how he was.

 

[Sofiel]

"What, don't want to talk anymore?"

A smile twisted in the shadow as the red eyes seemed to fill with some sinister glee. "Don't worry, you won't stay here long. I just need to.. Transport you somewhere." Sofiel, by the voice anyway, motioned towards the nothingness around them. Reality shifted and turned under their control. "Is there anything you'd like while you wait? I can give you whatever you want here, for a price of course."

Kai'lyn

 

[Kai'lyn]

Sofiel

Kai'lyn's attention was oddly fixated on the peculiar visual around him, a mixture of confusion and intrigue etched across his features. His frown deepened as he grappled with the disconcerting shift in his surroundings. He made an effort to calm himself, albeit briefly, his breathing steadying until the visual transformation stirred a startled reaction within him. Vertigo coursed through him, and he stumbled, his hand instinctively reaching to his head in an attempt to steady himself and regain his balance.

As his senses gradually adjusted, he found himself settling onto a surface that felt unfamiliar—was it the floor? His confusion deepened as he crossed his legs, his gaze fixed on the strange being that had spoken to him. His voice was laced with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism as he sought answers in this bewildering place.

"What is this place?" he inquired, his words laced with a cautious undertone. The surroundings were unlike anything he had encountered before, and he couldn't shake the sense of being caught in the midst of something beyond his comprehension.

His gaze locked onto the being, his vibrant eyes searching for any clues in the entity's demeanor. The words that followed were tinged with a hint of resignation, a reflection of the circumstances he found himself in. "And what is the price?" he continued his words carrying a weight of both apprehension and a desire for clarity. "You already captured me and made me your pet," he stated with a mixture of frustration and defeat, his voice tinged with a bitterness he couldn't suppress. "What else do I have to barter with?" he questioned, his thoughts focused on the limited agency he felt he possessed in this situation.

 

[Sofiel]

"Everything in your galaxy has a price." Sofiel full on ignored the question on just where they were, instead focusing on the next. The figure sat cross legged, though by the second they seemed to become clearer and clearer in their shape. More and more like her hosts body, somewhere out there still sipping her wine with a smile ever on her face. "But you have everything to barter with. Your mind. Body. Soul. Everything and anything can be bought and sold if you know the right client."

That was perhaps what made her so curious about the Galaxy and just what events led to her own creation.

"But now? Stories. Your life, and it's story. That can buy you some comfort before your tests begin."

Kai'lyn