Chasing Shadows ( Seth Brackson meets Amea Virou)

[Seth Brackson]

[member="Amea Virou"]

Seth quietly was meditating upon the borrowed SJO transport vessel. While it cruised along in the void of space. Much to his current contentment. Beside him upon the ground rested his lightsaber and shoto. The ship of course being on auto-pilot for this current moment. The meditation was becoming something Seth practiced quite frequently.

This peace however was short lived. When the word 'DESCEND' seared strongly into his mind. Forcing his eyes to shoot open. While he glanced over to his lightsabers. Gotta love Tempestite. In all it's annoying beauty. Then again these moments were rare. So, Seth stood and wandered over to the pilot's chair and glanced out to see where he was supposed to be descending to. At which point he found a planet that seemed to be mostly aquatic aside from a few small land masses which appeared quite densely populated with either forests or jungles.

With a shrug Seth began to descend towards the planet. Trusting his instincts to get him where he needed to go. It helped a strong wave of energy was being emmited from the planet to direct him. After entering the atmosphere it became more clear that it was forest terrain opposed to jungle. As he began to search for a landing place. Upon finding one he slowed the ship. Landed as well as he knew how. Then grabbed his lightsabers and made to the land.

Once on the ground he observed the air was moderately humid. Not a displeasing temperature, and smelled quite pleasant. The lighting was a bit dim due to the forestry. Though nothing too intimidating. Placing his lightsabers in concealed locations around his black hooded robe, which had cobalt blue trimmings. He set off. Glad he had on his black combat boots, and charcoal grey pants. He slipped his hood over his head to conceal his facial features and set off on wherever his journey would lead him, letting the energy that had tugged at him upon entering the world be his navigator.

He noted this world was quite beautiful. Paired with the sounds of the world's fuana. Seth was quite at home. Roughly a hour or so later, and a break or two. Seth stumbled upon the site of a ancient temple ahead. It seemed to be near the coast of the island. Had plant growth amoungst it indicating a lack of maintnence. As well as held signs of damages to the structure. Mostly minor or moderate. Though still indicating some sort of conflict at some point in this building's past occurred. Likely a minor skirmish.

Seth shifted a little uncomfortably at this point. Seth was quite strong in the force. Unshaped potential true... Though still when Seth wasn't trying to conceal his force signature.. And sometimes even when he was. It shined blazingly bright. Though this temple was.. Quite significantly more well anchored to a pool of energy. Seth was pretty sure some sort of relics were being concealed within it. If he was to take an educated guess..

Well, whatever was in there. It was time for Seth to go in and investigate. He was only hoping whatever the case. Either he was entirely alone.. Or if he did stumble upon someone they weren't an enemy.

 

[Amea Virou]

[member="Seth Brackson"]

There was something about the solitude of temples and ruins that appealed to Amea. She had sworn to herself that she was a Warden, but moments like these were hard not to appreciate. The smell of walls and floors overgrown with moss, the intricate patterns of dust and grime that had been washed and faded over the centuries, too, was something that was hard not to appreciate. The roots that ran between the cracks and corners of the stone helped keep some sections of the temple intact to the point where it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. Nature had reclaimed big parts of this temple and it was hard not to be reminded of the old ‘Forgotten City’ on Kiara.

Standing in the antechamber before a great hall, Amea took in the sound of the waterfalls that echoed from the room just up ahead and the way playful bats seemed to chime in between the static. With her first step into the great hall she felt an overwhelming sense of awe. The path ahead appeared to be a pathway leading up to a raised platform. Below the platform was a hole that spanned the entire room. If she was to give an estimate she’d say a hundred-and-fifty feet from either side with a roof that reached nearly twice that. There were four doorways in this room, each of which had a waterfall on either side that poured water down the hole beneath the platform. It was hard to make out the depth of the drop, but judging by the sound it wasn’t all too deep compared to the ceiling.

Approaching the center platform she glanced at the bright light that lit up the entire room from its small cage. Her shadow was cast against the walls yet the light was far from unpleasant to look at. Whoever had built this temple had longevity in mind and it was showing. She tried to remember if there was any culture that this reminded her off the top of her head, but nothing all that realistic came to mind. The Followers of Kelyth which was a druidic witch sect once banned from the Core a good few centuries ago came to mind, but this temple was far too intact for that to feel even remotely plausible. Besides that they were not known to move past the colonies, this temple would have been an anomaly which made it all the more intriguing. The emphasis on nature and symbiosis with it was hard to miss, as were the water features. Amea took out her pad and began to make notes on the symbols and glyphs around the light in the middle of the chamber. It was hard to follow their narrative, most of it getting lost in translation.

Kelythians. Intriguing.

 

[Seth Brackson]

Seth entered the ruins in his own manner of awe. Not often times being one for architecture. This was a different experience for him. Though what may shape up to be an educational one. His mentor would be proud to hear of Seth's endeavors. Considering while Seth was always eager to learn. His preference was generally towards fuana, or new skills and abilities which he could apply.

Seth began to observe the texts which he occasionally saw written upon the walls. Curious to what tale it were to have told if he could understand the glyphs. He found his way towards the ante-chamber and stopped there. Something was a bit different. He knelt down on the ground and closed his eyes. Then began to extend his force signature outwards. Seeking what sort of feedback the temple gave him, as well as any other entity might be giving off.

 

[Amea Virou]

[member="Seth Brackson"]

Footsteps. Amea’s head darted up like a critter stuck in headlights. She was usually alone for these things, movement meant ancient defenses or worse: looters. She was not exactly unaware of the irony in that statement, but she took some professional pride in that at least her findings went to places where they would be restored and studied. At least most of the time.

As the other individual’s force presence grew stronger, Amea made her own shrink and darted out of sight. There was limited cover, but if it came to the worst possible alternative right off the bat then it was far better than nothing.

She kept herself concealed until whoever it was, or whatever it was, came into view. Her hand lingered on the gun that clung to her belt, and with that began to prepare for what could happen.

 

[Seth Brackson]

Seth was certain someone, or at least something was in the room in front of him. His empathetic abilities were strong enough to know that much. Though whatever, or whomever it was was trying to conceal himself, and considering Seth trained under a jedi who specialized in concealing their force signature and life force. Generally, he would of been able to root them out. Though the energies of the temple limited his ability to do so. Quite significantly in fact and that fact annoyed him.

Seth took a deep sigh. Decisions needed to be made. He'd prefer a decision which did not involve violence. Though if it came to that he wanted to be prepared. Therefore he changed his focus to mapping the room ahead of him. Scoping out debris, pillars, walls. Mostly areas of key structural integrity. Once he had the room mapped and found the weak points. He placed them into his short term memory vault and opened his eyes. The process was swifter than it sounded. Seth's mind worked in quick sessions.

He remained kneeling upon the ground and drew his saber and shoto. Placing them beside himself. The slim hilts and dark coloring still concealed their presence in a proficient manner. Like they were designed for. However, that was not what he was going for. He was going to be very open about the situation as he saw it.

"My name is Seth Brackson!" He called out in a firm tone. "I am a Padawan within The Order of The Silver Jedi. I am lead to believe this Temple contains Jedi, Sith, or Force-Sensitive artifacts held within it! I am here to collect those artifacts for the order, for the sake of research. I am well aware something, or someone is within the room before me, Hiding. If you are Sentient, can understand what I have said so far, and are wishing to avoid conflict. Know I am not about to go blindly into the room you are within, with no idea where you are at, and if you are armed. I am only wishing to talk, and you may find me in this small room. Kneeling upon the ground with my weapons on the ground beside me. I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to approach me, with the same openness as I have been considerate enough to offer to you. If you are not willing to, or cannot understand. I will percieve you as a threat, and I shall warn you. Unlike my Jedi brethren I bear no semblance of mercy to one who is a potential threat, as long as they remain so." Seth expressed, and for consideration. Offered it in a few more languages.

When he had finished his request. He wanted a final touch of emphasis of how he would address a threat. Though first he would see what sort of response he recieved. As a show of force was only a last form of a warning, especially when he was running the risk of possibly injuring whatever was hiding. In the effort to make it clear he wouldn't mess around with a threat. Though if it came to that. It would to an extent be their own fault for not responding to his summons for a chance to discuss matters.

[member="Amea Virou"]

 

[Amea Virou]

[member="Seth Brackson"]

A Silver Jedi Padawan, out here? Amea’s brow perked as she glanced around the corner. They were here for the artifacts then, to bring to the Silver Jedi for study. While Amea would not make any pretenses that she had a mild bias against it she would at the very least trust that he was telling the truth. Which was to say if he was a Jedi at all. As he got to the part about lacking mercy for threats she couldn’t help but grip even harder at the slugthrower that she unholstered from her belt and stepped into the open with her gun pointed towards him, just in case.

“Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.” Amea’s voice carried with an echo around the chamber. “Jedi use their powers to defend and protect, never to attack others.”

“I won’t be the first to pull the trigger unless I have to.” She said, attention refusing to shift away from Seth. “This choice is yours.”

“How would I know I can trust you?”

 

[Seth Brackson]

"Well, considering you're in that room. I'm sure you'd have to of crossed through some sort of entrance to get to the room. Unless you're claiming some sort of teleportation technique or phasing abilities. Which means I really couldn't do much to you in that case either. Though the point of things is. You would have a better chance of knowing the layout of this anti-chamber, and an understanding that my words hold merrit that it is small and quite open. Without really any means for me to take cover. Provided of course this is the path you used to enter the room you are in. Than my ability to be able to trust the word of a person who insists on taking advantage of the pillars and ruble of the room ahead of me, and decides to mask their signature while I leave myself quite open to be detected regarding my whereabouts and positioning." Seth responded in truth while he remained seated still right where he was at. Perhaps maybe strumming his fingers gently upon the ground. In a bit of agitation.

"As for your claim about Jedi. There is jedi of all flavors. I fall along the lines of grey on a good day. Dark depending on the situation. The galaxy cannot be properly defended off of hand shakes, kind words, and last ditch efforts to protect something in every situation. Counter measures need established for all variety of threats. I just so happen to train under the division within the order. Which knows a threat cannot cause harm, if it is dealt with prior to it's attempt at doing so. That sometimes it is necessary to strike first in order for lives to be saved, and overall peace to be maintained. Think of it as pro-active defense." Seth responded in a calm manner. "As well as obviously if my intent was solely to nonchalantly lay waste to life, or bring harm to you out of the gate. This conversation wouldn't even be occuring to begin with. So, consider this my attempt not to turn to pro-active defense measures." Seth expressed. Hoping that she would take the time to assess what he provided to her, and make a decision off of what she felt was best.

He didn't want to strike harm if he didn't need to. In fact most of the times. He valued life of all sorts. Though since a young age. He'd been lead to a path of survival. Taking chances when you knew the odds were stacked against you was unwise, and sometimes the only act of mercy you could afford was strike quick, strike hard, and hope you end things quick and painlessly. Non-lethally if able to of course. Though instinct and humanitarian goals didn't always see eye to eye. He also hoped that him providing information about the pillars and rubble she had available for cover. Helped further motivate her to trusting that he did indeed have ways to handle this situation without ever stepping into the room.

[member="Amea Virou"]

 

[Amea Virou]

[member="Seth Brackson"]

It didn’t come with the job to trust people when you were alone. The allure of treasure was always hard to resist, and the urge to pocket just a coin or two for your own gain was hard to resist. Amea still liked to think she was better than that, but even then it was hard not to trust what the man was saying. He wasn’t dangerous now, but she also hadn’t turned her back towards him yet either.

And he didn’t seem to catch the passage from the Jedi Code. This person even admitted he had his moments of darkness, acting more towards the gray zones of the force. Amea had understanding for this, but her point still stood. Keepers of the light was never meant to be the darkness that the light struggled against. Regardless, he also had a point that if he wanted to kill her then they wouldn’t be having this conversation either. She wasn’t about to go out on a limb and put her guard down and welcome him, but she would lower her gun just ever so slightly.

A few moments of silence passed as she pondered her next move. The hand on her gun didn’t let go but she would at the very least lower ever so gently by her side. There was a holster but she wouldn’t use it. This gun was hers to judge freely with and she still saw no reason to trust this man.

“There is a pathway in front of you.” She called out. “Takes you up the walkways towards this platform.”

“Don’t make me regret this.”

 

[Seth Brackson]

[member="Amea Virou"]

It was more of an individualized characteristic which determined how easy it was to force someone to yield in one direction or another. Therefore, Seth could respect where this individual stood in terms of rigidity and flexibility. At least she was providing him a means to roughly reach her. Seth focused on the path she spoke of. Trying to scope out traps or tricks she might of employed. Then he withdrew his gaze and heaved a soft sigh. "Fine." He replied while he got up. Then picked up his blades. Sheathing his main lightsaber to his belt. Then slipping his shoto up his left sleeve. He wanted at least some form of rapid response if things escalated.

From there he calmly as he could manage. Entered the room ahead of him. His eyes constantly scoping the area for threats. While he walked along the path she instructed him to take. "Thank you, for at least considering an audience." He spoke while he began making his way up the path to the platform she claimed to be standing upon. He kept his hood lowered now as while it was uncomfortable for him to do so. He figured the best he could manage is at least a respectable introduction. To try and keep tensions from rising more than they already have.

 

[Amea Virou]

[member="Seth Brackson"]

Eyes wandered between the rock and the man as he approached. The gun in her hand remained in her hand but pointed at the ground. He thanked him for an audience and her brow perked at him with a smirk as he approached.

“Technically, we are the ones who have been granted an audience.” She said and ran her finger along a floating rock riddled with inscriptions that were incomprehensible to most. “This chamber was a bit like a waiting ground according to this.”

Well, not like it outright said it but when an inscription glossed over the cultural significance of this place and how some sort of ‘judge’ had been seated here it was hard not to make assumptions. There were benches along the edges of the platform that stood ever so tall above the waters that gathered from the aqueducts that ran along the edge of the walkways leading up to it. The ceiling was far above them, a small crack against its sandstone surface bathing the inscribed stone with natural sunlight that drowned out the dark of the rest of the chamber and made it seem just a little too dark to make out any real details.

“Ever heard of the Kelythians?” Amea said and circled her free hand lazily around the room. “They were big on these sort of layouts.”