Private Firelight Advent

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Destat Estates, Castagne...


She pushed him.
Pushed her steed as hard as she had been pushing herself.
The thicket was wild here in the forest past the kept lawns. Karlie ducked in time to clear one of the many low lying branches that rushed past her. Well almost. One thorn lashed across her face, drawing blood, but didn't hamper her in slowing her steed one bit.

Thane, were at full sprint. His powerful hoofs hammered the earth below her. She could feel the thunder of his full gallop, shuddering up her very frame. Karlie held fast, and low, knowing she were but a fraction of the mass, weight and power by which Thane possessed. But to Thane, she were what drove him... that connection between his lady and he, which fueled his spirit.

Karlie tightly wrapped her hands around his reins, bearing herself lower, closer to Thane's powerful head. She were within his braided mane. She weren't so much as riding him, but had come to be a part of the stallion, melding herself with that of Thane. In many ways, they were ne single entity of mind, spirit and muscle.
Thane knew Karlie, her smell, her touch...her voice, since he was young. It was always her whom rode upon his back. It had become natural to him. She were part of his herd, part of him.
Karlie's control of him was natural to him. She pushed hard, he delivered hard. Harder than he would ever come to push his self on his own. But with Karlie on his back the push, their combined spirit were all that he drove for.

Left… right… jump… dodge.... duck… hard right...
Trees, fallen and not, whizzed past at break necking speed. One misstep... one trip...It would be tragic for both. But Thane was at his prime as Karlie was still pushing for hers.
They soon shot out of the woods and thicket, darting out at full speed upon the green field. Karlie let up, loosed up on the reins, winding down Thane to a stride. Both Heavily panting.

Karlie then let go of the reins spreading out her arms like wings straightening up letting her head go back. Her heart like that of Thane's still raced as they came to finally stop. Both gleamed in the open sunlight... both soaked in sweat.


They were in the open meadow with the sweet smell of grass and wildflowers all around them.
The mid summer breeze felt good in the open air and Karlie finally slid off her saddle, patting Thane's massive neck, running her hand through his mane. She had missed him...missed a lot of things about Castagne that she had once taken for granted. But she were back now. Back with a new found understanding of the meaning of life and who she was. It had been quite a journey the past year away from all she loved here. But her journey had taken her places...things of a nature she would have never known to exist.
She had become part of House Lives, same as she were part of her own legacy.

Upon her return to Castagne, not even her father had debriefed her, to say the least of the Council. What had been her purpose there...the whole indoctrination into House LiVes? Karlie had learned many things from her sensei Nine Lives there on Castle Morpheus.
She learned about herself, her mother, her father and their legacy. She had learned to love and had learned to kill... to create and to destroy.
Knowledge.... It were the greatest of all weapons, she learned from her sensei.
And then she learned of her sister Jehn...

"Hahaha..."she let out a laugh, before plopping down on her back upon the grass. She closed her eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun, the cool ground beneath her... and...and Thane's breath on her?
She opened one eye, squinting. "What do you want?" she asked sarcastically.

With a whine he nuzzled her shoulder before taking to the sweet grass.
"Yea...you too...." She replied running the back of her hand over him, as he fed next to her.

Thane had missed her.

 

[Tarssin Destat]

"Disappointed you ask?
...Karlie?" Tarssin took a moment rolling the thought over..

"Oh yes...quite so still.
Quite so, ol'friend..." He replied looking out his studies.

Karlie's father had been watching his daughter since he spotted her heading to the north woods. He had spotted the racing stallion stampeding across the great lawn with Karlie on his back. A wild steed, unbroken by no other. There existed a bond between beast and his daughter. One which he recognized came form his once beloved wife, Karla. She too had a way of taming beasts.

A moment...then two went by before he turned back to his friend.
"Forgive me... just been a while since I enjoyed the landscape." He were taken back a moment whilst in conversation with his trusted friend and Je'daii Master, Elohssa Sun.
Incidentally, the conversation they were engaged in, were over his daughter Karlie.

"Sigh...
She hasn't spoken another word to me about it, that girl. Had me pass her the blueberry jam for her pancakes this morning. I looked over to the strawberry jam set next to her but she wanted blueberries.
Strawberry's her favorite...she hates blueberries, if you remember..." he said, taking one last look over the distant line of trees from his studies. Karlie had long disappeared into the thicket of the woods.
The summer breeze erasing the steed's impression from the high grass...like it had been nothing more than a passing dream.

Tarssin then picked up the decanter of fine spirit from the small table next to his friend's chair, offering to recap the Je'Daii's glass before topping off his own. It were obvious the Viceroy of Castagne had a lot on his mind.
"Even gestured for the staff not to fetch it for her..." Tarssin hesitated again, reliving that moment.

"And what did I do?... I pulled my chair out and fetched it for her, if you're wondering.
Thank you, she then said." His eyebrow raised. " ...took it with that angel smile of hers, placed it down, and then picked up the strawberry.
...and that was that."

Tarssin then sat his self down next to his friend, took a sip and placed his drink down on the small table between them.

"Oh, she's still quite pissed alright.
Didn't even touch the pancakes after all that fuss. Said she needed some air.
Even came over to give me as I sat myself down again, kiss my forehead....then excused herself. " Tarssin continued before he shook his head, unbelieving.

"That girl has me feeling guilty, of all things..."

 

[Elohssa Sun]

She gestured a no-thank you for more Whyrens.
Elohssa had a few sips and did indeed enjoy the reserve, but it were not she whom needed the stiffness of spirits to alleviate a burden that which the Viceroy were bearing...

Elohssa were here to try and resolve her former ward's difficulty in accepting her new found sister Jehn. But the one whom she found to be having difficult were the Viceroy himself. It were not a denial, nor any form a sign of regret as to discovering he had another daughter, no. It were a self bestowed guilt of not knowing about her existence all these years were weighing on Tarssin's mind like a two ton, heavy thing.

"You are saying that Karlie is laying the guilt trip on you, over her sister's life?" She asked Tarssin. Tarssin, a man she had come to know since his daughter Karlie were about 10 years of age...almost 15 years ago. It were after Castagne's Civil War and the utter defeat of Darth Rigor. ..or so it had seemed. But that specter had somehow manifested itself in her former self, as Karla. Elohssa had received the reports on Karla's attempt at physically abducting her daughter during her legion with The Amalgam

"Lord Destat..." yes, she knew of the man's own stature and connection with the force. not many at all knew that as Castagne wasn't a system that embraced force adept individuals...not with their history of Darth Rigor influencing Castagne for Millenniums, they didn't. But Tarssin, like his father and his father before him were all force adept. One forefather , nearly 900 years ago were in league with the then Sith Emperor Palpatine. Naturally of course conveniently manipulated by Darth Rigor to do so, no less....
".... I've had the opportunity a few weeks past when I presented Jehn, to speak with Karlie...to see about how she could acclimate to the idea of having a sister." Elohssa took to reply.

"I was taken back...truly had not expected Karlie to embrace Jehn the way she did.
Sir...
Sir, this guilt you are feeling is not being manifested by your daughter, but by your your own conscience. You feel you have failed Jehn, for I also saw how you took her into your heart immediately. You recognized Jehn for who she were to you even before words left my lips." The Je'Daii master continued, placing her drink down on the side table.

"You failed no one...but those whom you had opened up your heart to, had. Karla failed you... even Astrid failed you." he said, getting a reaction from Tarssin.
"Astrid should have divulged she were leaving Castagne and you when she were with child. You had no knowledge of her pregnancy before and after she left. By the gods, I were fated to meet Jehn. It was destiny, my ol'friend. It were just two months ago that it were revealed to me as to her bloodline." Elohssa let it sink into Tarssin's head, a moment.

"I've known Jehn for only 3 short years. But know enough of both your daughters that it is not they whom are haunting your conscience.
Allow the women to discover one another in their own means. I trust them both to succeed and by their means, vanquish this guilt you seem to be bearing."

 

[Vera Mina]

Deleted due to posting error

 

[Vera Mina]

Wearing: Mercenary Dress

Armed with: Nothing.

Going to see: Karlie Lynn Destat

Earlier...


Castagne was starting to amaze The Artificial Vampire.

Only months before it had been ravaged by The Amalgam and her Mother Darth Rigor (Who The Android hated simply for the mental block she had placed in her beloved Karlie.)


Now it was as though almost nothing had happened.

Vera, coming as Karlie's best friend, Rom, had spent days tracking down that Vendor that had sold the Hot Dogs on Azterri. To her great surprise, the Vendor had been getting his meats from an illicit supplier, a real sicko...he was cutting up Gammoreans. She had cross referenced the sample of Karlie's genetic file with the substances in the meat and realized Karlie had some bizarre, designed in preference for it, likely without realizing it.

She had almost been tempted to let it slide. The Hot Dogs were pleasing to Karlie.

However the Android understood Karlie enough to know that Karlie would never eat such things if it came at the price of an innocent sentient be slaughtered. And she would be forever traumatized if she learned what she had been eating...so there was no chance this should be allowed to reach a court of law, because the scandal would get out.

Rom had instead brutally killed and fed on the people who were the most responsible for kidnapping and converting the Gammoreans to Ballpark Food. It had been busy work. She hadn't even derived much enjoyment from it like she usually did. Then she had quietly bought the company out as Vera.

The next week or so had been dedicated to the Morpheus Labs being able to synthesize meat that had all the attributes about what Karlie liked about Gammoreans without it actually being Gammoreans, cloned or harvested.

Did this show that Vera still had a long ways to go? Oh, my, yes...

Did it also mean she was learning? Oh, my, yes...

Vera had approached Destat Estates in her typical Mercenary Dress, white and long , though it revealed plenty of arm and leg, also covered by white boots and gloves.

The Android hungered to see her beloved Karlie. The Android was still somewhat confused that her Chiss form was the best friend and the Lawyer was the Love Interest, but whatever floated the beautiful Blonde's boat.

The Guards scanned her at the estate entrance as she showed up in a black speederbike, carrying a package of fake Gammorean hot dogs.

The Guards, well aware of what she was, nervously scanned her, shocked that the scanners turned up organic. Rom's red eyes glimmered with amusement at their confusion. But Rom was a Protector of Castagne. She had defended the woman who had helped end The Amalgam's siege.

Rom took notice of Karlie's home, how the pleasant architecture contrasted to the Morpheus's harsh Atrisian Gothic.

She scanned everything. Commited it to memory databanks. Her curvy but athletic figure striding confidently onto the grasslands.

Her breath caught as she beheld Karlie riding the powerful animal. Every processor went wild with delight.

She let Karlie see her as she walked up, keeping a slight distance so Karlie would have ample time to slow down her horse.

"Karlie! I heard you discovered a Sister!" Rom spoke enthusiastically. "I brought hot dogs to celebrate! Also, wanted to know if you would be interested watching me sing..."

 

[Jehn Sunspire]

A father....
That concept were alien to her. Jehn had known only masters...both harsh and kind. The latter being her savior a Je'Daii Master. A woman whom Jehn had taken a sir name from. She understood come to understand the concept of guardianship, as her master was...only not parenthood.
But Jehn did know the empathy toward another. She had always had that, towards what she felt were others of her kind... siblings by trials...the other battle children she trained with, battled against and maimed. It were what her former sith masters even referred to these battle children as... siblings by trials..

Now...
Now she had a sibling of the same bloodline...Karlie. But Karlie were nothing like her, nor had she experienced the battle arenas as Jehn did. For that matter, Jehn thanked the Chaos (sith hell) that had somehow passed her elder half sister by.

Karlie, her elder sister was different in so many aspects and ways, Jehn couldn't help but visit those thoughts. It were like her sister were the opposite of her own life. Karlie had been spared so early in life, she understood. Karlie's mother were no different from Jehn's own former sith masters. Siths were all about deception in any given form or motives...this Jehn well understood.
her sister Karlie would have no doubt come to experience the brutal reality of her sith mother. But Karlie had been spared that trial. Spared by whom Jen had come to discover were her shared father, Tarssin Destat.

Jehn smiled. It were a genuine smile that rarely was ever exercised in her features. As such, Jehn could feel it on her face, like she could feel the warmth of the force within her center. Master Elohssa had once tried to explain that to her. Jehn had understood the concept and lesson, but had only come to experience it when she had finally come to meet her sister Karlie.
Jehn smiled as she looked out over to the horizon, catching Karlie and the elegant beast racing across the high grasslands. Jehn's eagle eyes, like that of a raptor traced her sister's progress, feeling the heartbeat of the stallion. Although she could not feel Karlie's, by proxy through the stallion she could feel it in synch with that of the beast beneath her.

Jehn kept looking out despite her sister and stallion being out of sight and touch. The aroma of the wild grasses and flowers permeated through the breeze. Occasionally she caught the scent of her sister, however fleeting it were...like a tease.
Finally she turned from the 3rd story balcony and went back into her given room. it were her room according to her found father. Such luxury abound in one given chamber...a privilege Jehn never experienced. She pasted the bed...such fine linens and silk...running her hand over the fabric as she headed for the door. Then she halted.

There was a strange ripple she suddenly felt through the force. It were as alien to her as anything she had ever known. It were life altered. She picked up the scent. It had been carried up into the chambers from the open balcony doors.

Jehn returned to the balcony and immediately spotted the Chiss female trekking through the grass toward the horizon...toward where her sister Karlie were last seen.
So.... this were the life form of Li'Ves, Jehn came to reason. The cyborg moved with human grace and fluidity through the high grass.
She had studied the LiVes files not a week ago, and recognized it to be the life form Rom Jin... Karlie's Vera Vina, among other of the cyborg's alternate forms.
Jehn knew a good amount of history concerning these created lifeforms, as reported by her sister and one of her father's top operatives, a man by the name of Iansade.

Jehn watched the figure for a good amount of time as it made it through the low rolling hills of the estates....most definitely heading in the same direction as to where her sister Karlie had gone.
Jehn were not one who were opinionated. Facts were what she used to determine enemy from ally. This extension of Clan LiVes had demonstrated a numerous times as being a dependent ally to Karlie their father and Castagne in general.

Jehn of course had yet to encounter any of House LiVes' clan family members. That isotope would soon come to cohesion, she calculated.
Jehn finally turned from the distant figure before it disappeared over one of the low lying hills. Her master were still in the manor, with Jehn picking up that Tarssin had spotted Rom for some time now and seemed to remain at ease over it's presence...

Jehn's auditory had on-off been picking up her found father and Elohssa' voices through the morning. It weren't that Jehn were spying or anything of the sort....at least not of late. It was that she had acute auditory senses. For the most part, she only perked her hearing to see if her master and father were still in the studies...

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

The Castan sun warmed her features and the smell of grass and wildflowers permeated all around her. Karlie were home once more.
She had laid there with her eyes closed for some time while Thane, who didn't wander far from her grazed upon the sweet grass.
It were some time before she were nuzzled awake from her lazy summer nap.

"Hey you...come on, stop that." She said squinting her eyes from the bright sky above, lightly nudging her stallion's muzzle from drenching her face.
But Thane continued, for Karlie wasn't exactly getting herself up off the soft bed of grass.

"Ok ok...I'm up, I'm up." She sat up a minute, looking about, getting her bearings again. She had dozed off, dreaming about Vera visiting her at the beach house.
She recalled the last time Vera had visited her there, shortly after the Heretic attack. It weren't under the best of circumstances, as Karlie had been under the belief that she had lost two of her closest friends. There had been quite a lot of conflict going through Karlie's head at the time....a lot of trauma and drama. That, and the fact that her mother had wanted to kill her...

But in her dream, Karlie and Vera were having a perfect day, basking under the Castan sun-

~a whine sounded out~
Thane nudged Karlie's shoulder again. He seemed anxious in getting going again.
"Come on.... steady up." She said taking hold of the reign. Thane helped her get herself up on her feet.

"Thanks there..." she gave him a good pat on the neck.
Then in one easy hop, Karlie got back up in the saddle again. Tane drew his front hooves over the grass in anticipation.

"YEee-ya!" were all she need say, giving Thane a slight squeeze with her legs. The stallion immediately took off.
Once more, they raced across the grassland close to the tree line. Karlie, fully awake and determined to rip through the meadow suddenly spotted Rom...Rom's blue features not a few hundred meters to her right.
Karlie made a quick runabout and headed toward her friend...coming to a stop just before the Chiss woman.

Karlie was in disbelief her friend had trekked all the way from the manor over to the north woods.
After an excited outburst, she jumped off and greeted her friend...a smile ear to ear.
"Hehe...yea. Not so alone anymore." She replied of her sister.

But what was this?.. Rom had brought hot dogs? "Oh?..." were Karlie's reply, as the last time she had tried hot dogs were on the Morpheus. "...cool." Vera had cooked some up for her there once.
"...ok...thanks." Not the most enthusiastic reply, as apparently she took to gulp in saying that. Karlie didn't have the heart to tell her as to how they had made her sick-
Oh wait. Rom would also know as Rom were-

Arrrg...this duality was driving her bonkers sometimes. Yes, Rom and Vera were really one and the same. But each version was distinct from the other in so many ways. First: Vera highly turned her on...Karlie couldn't help but sweat the woman.
And of Rom? Rom were quite different than Vera in a lot of ways...in mannerism, dexterity, physically and personality. Rom were a version of what Karlie saw and needed in a best friend. Of course West, and magnus too fell in that category. Meir?... well, she somehow hadn't quite made a connection with that sibling. It weren't for lack of trying. Karlie thought she did put effort into getting to know Meir.
Just-
...just that the plug, the connection wasn't clicking between Karlie and Meir yet. So Ok, 3 out of 4 LiVes siblings weren't bad. I mean..one can't expect to connect with every member of a friend's family...right?

"Wait, what-" fantastic, a change of topic!
"You can sing?" It were as a surprise to Karlie as Rom's surprise visit.
A loud whine came out of Thane just then, nudging her with his muzzle again. Actually, it were more than a nuzzle. it were a shove, causing the blonde to take a step forward to retain her balance.

"OK Ok, give me a chance..." She spoke to her stallion, slightly turning toward him, caressing his neck.
"Rom, this is Thane.... my little pony." She said, chuckling.
Thane of course snorted shaking his mane.

"Well you were...so you'll always will be to me." She laughed.

"Thane and I have been running through these meadows for some time...and before that, with his sire. My family..." Karlie hugged her steed as he seemed to nod in agreement.

"And this...this is my......friend. " eyes looking deep into her dark orbs. "Rom Jin." But it were apparent Karlie were meaning more than Rom. "Rom has been my Guardian Angel on and off world, Thane. "Yes, the blond knew Vera was right there, her love, her most intimate companion. "Rom has protected me with her life many times..." But at this moment, Karlie were happy to have her in Rom's form. She could talk to Rom like her best friend. And right now she needed her best friend on Castagne.

"Come...tell me all about you singing. " Karlie then said, as she took to walking and talking.
Thane momentarily looked their way then scooped down to take some grass before tagging behind.

 

[Jehn Sunspire]

Back at the estate's manor....


~knock knock~
She were well aware that perhaps both knew of her presence...certainly that of her master. Still, both her found father and master were in conversation, it seemed proper to announce her own presence at the threshold of the studies.

"Am I disturbing you?" She asked.
Of course she weren't as the doors were wide open.

"I believe I spotted the life form Rom Jin heading due north across the median on foot...toward the last coordinates Karlie was seen " Jehn spoke as she entered by welcome.
Her eyes momentarily set on her master's tumbler...then that of Tarssin's. Jehn had never been privy to spirits during her term with the sith lords. As thus, she never acquired the taste for such stimuli. besides, it really did nothing but bend her focus really. And doing so could cost one's own life to forfeit. No, Jehn would never partake in any stimuli other than what she herself would extract from the force.

Naturally she were offered a drink by her found father...
"Thank you." She replied approaching the small side table where the Whyrens and complimentary beverages were.

"No need, sir... I can attend to my own." She then said Tarssin whom had gotten up off his chair to attend to his new daughter.
With that, the Viceroy sat his self back down while Jehn spritzed some seltzer in a tumbler. Her master did a terrible job in hiding her amusement. Jehn were her only pupil that had never touched any spits or other stimuli, including teas.
Of course the seltzer or anything besides water wasn't her preference, it were what was currently available and she'd deal with the fizz. It were also another reason her master tried hiding her amusement.

"I've not spoken to my sister in two days...specifically, haven't ever discussed her relationship with House LiVes." Jehn knew little to nothing of the Clan, other than what her master and found father had supplied her with on written record. Only Jehn knew there was more on the Lives than she were given...or perhaps what her master and Tarssin knew. There were much pertinent history and motives that were still to be matched. Jehn were first trained in absolutes. There was much gray areas surrounding House LiVes.

But the supporting evidence undoubtfully showed that the Clan had formed a true alliance with Castagne... namely with her father and sister. This were what didn't send up any red flags on Jehn. Besides, her master seemed to accept the alliance between House LiVes and that of House Destat.
But-
But weren't Jehn now herself considered a Destat? She were spawned after all from the Viceroy's loins...no?
Clan LiVes and House Destat could well have formed an undisclosed agreement... but no such agreement had been made with Jehn.

~force thoughts reached her~
"No, not concerned at all, Master Elohssa.." Jehn had a mental connection with her master. Elohssa had projected an inquiry, if her Padawn had a concern over the matter of the alliance between the two Houses. Jehn voiced her reply out of respect for the Viceroy whom were present. Jehn felt that she should speak openly, not knowing for certain how acute her father was with the force.

"I am merely seeking more concrete knowledge... that which for the present time seems to elude me."

 

[Tarssin Destat]

"Frankly neither did I when I first realized the content of your message, my friend.." Tarssin replied to Elohssa in reference to the Je'daii's comment on having his daughter Karlie discover that he had sired a sibling.

But before he went on to elaborate, there was his said daughter Jehn announcing her presence with a knock.

Tarsinn couldn't help but see the girl's mother Astrid in her features. He had known Jehn's mother rather for a brief time. if anyone existed which could have healed his heart, it may have been Jehn's mother Astrid.
Only Castagne had been in the midst of a Civil War, which pit Darth Rigor and Tarssin, both struggling to gain control of Castagne.
Astrid were a Senator from the Free World Coalition, a prominent faction at the time by which Castagne had been in negotiations with to form an alliance.
The two had somehow gotten close, before negotiations fell apart, due to outside influence. This was mostly due to Darth Rigor who could not allow Castagne to seek such an alliance...among Darth Rigor's other motives.

"Please..." he gestured to his younger daughter to enter.
There were really no secrets there, the conversation he and the je'daii were in. Although it were a bit on the uncomfortable side, as the topic did involve Ayda.

"May I get you something?" Tarssin was up on his feet, drawing over the end table with the elixirs.
But upon his young daughter's persistence, she tended to her own needs. Tonic water for the most part.

"As you may be aware, Master Elohssa and I were in conversation over...Karlie....your... uhm sister. " Although Tarssin had accepted the fact of Ayda's existence, it were still a bit off color for him to speak so openly as such.

"From an old man's curiosity, have you had word with Karlie lately?"
He guessed Ayda had apparently spotted Vera from the 2nd floor living suites. Vera, whom Tarssin knew through forwarded registry had set down upon Castagne in it's Chiss configuration... knew her as Rom Jin. Both, or apparently all of the unit's configuration were somehow transfixed on his elder daughter, Karlie.
This of course were by no means anything he objected about. On the contrary, he had welcomed it. Even had somehow gotten Karlie aligned with House Li'Ves. …and in turn, secured an alliance between Castagne and Clan Li'Ves. Of course not much or really any persuasion at all on his part had been needed to have Karlie receive both martial and bio-engineering science training from House Li'Ves.

Ayda had not inquired with her sister as to Castagne's relationship and that of Karlie's concerning Clan Li'Ves it seemed. But he had enough insight, some familiarity...a connection of kind to know Ayda were just that; curious.

"I'm sure you will come to an understand on your own merit. I don't fault you, on not going by current opinions on the matter." He replied, to Ayda's reserve on the very matter.

"But please...Ayda.
Please do join us. I too find myself in the very turbulent waters as yourself. " He gestured to another chair close to him and Elohssa.
"I am of course meaning that of your birth mother and the fact that she withheld your birth from me." There was definitely not just a tinge of sadness in his voice, but in his heart. Tarssin had not thought of Astrid now for some time. He knew the potential fondness he had of Ayda's mother could well have turned to love. But circumstances and the war made certain to separate them.

Still, why had Astrid kept her pregnancy a secret before she departed from Castagne? It would have changes so many things if he had only known...
But he hadn't and as a result, his younger daughter had been raised in the bowels of Hell itself. And yet ...yet she were not a sithspawn, but one whom were like the je'daii Elohssa. Elohssa whom had greatly aided his other daughter Karlie through her darkest times, before she were purged of the midicloreans and the horrors by which the ghost of her mother haunted her through.

"Time lost to me, I know can never be reclaimed. For that, I am besides myself...
Family...blood to me is everything." He then said before touching some sting of that pain with a sip of his Whyren'

 

[Vera Mina]

Seeing Karlie on that Horse made the Android's heart pound. She looked so in control, so confident. Even the Animal fascinated Vera, having never seen ine before up close.

The Android walked up to the animal Karlie Lynn Destat cherished. Its soft eyes stared at her.

Rom's hand reached out to its neck, running a hand along it. It just stared at her, giving no reaction except to sniff at her.

To have something like this trust you...it has to genuinely like you...

(Empathy increased by 0.07 percent)

Rom looked up at Karlie.

"Well...as to my singing. Its part of a Configuration that was included for infiltration purposes, so I can't exactly sing in this guise...I wanted to show you though, because I had memorized some ancient Castagne Songs and learned to use Harp Type instruments. I thought you might like to listen and tell me how I'm doing, because that sort of programming requires feedback to develop properly. Between Mother training you and all the stuff going on, I figure a little bit of me singing and playing the harp for you while we both shut out the outside world...itd be nice. Then you might teach me how to ride one of these..." Rom suggested, gesturing to the Horse.

"Oh! The hot dogs! They are similar to what you ate on Azterri. I had the chefs (Her and a Lab) try and simulate the recipe...but not the same...not exactly..." Rom said, fully disclosing the fact...save for the fact the meat was based off simulated cooked Gammorean. (Which even the Morpheus A.I. thought was kinda fethed up)

"So this sister you have...what's she like?" Rom asked, deciding Karlie would appreciate it if Rom made her Sister's safety nearly as important to her as Karlie's was. "House Li-Ves does its best to look out for its friends. And since we are best friends (Barring the Vera behind Rom's eyes who thought of Karlie as much more...), I want to help in that regard...but it is good to see you smile like this. It makes me...happy..."

Rom meant it. Karlie smiling was one of the few things that could elicit a genuine surge in emotion...then again, everything about her, from her intelligence, to her Elisha Cuthbert-Expy looks, set her processors blazing with passion...

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

"Oh my God...
Get out!" Karlie playfully tagged Rom.
"Vera told you about-... " Ok, there was that momentary lack of mental hiccup that allowed Karlie to see Rom and Vera on a different plane.
"...gah.
I mean, you remembered our time on Azterri?... the park...the vendor..." She herself thought of their time on that forsaken system as one to remember, both good times and bad. And why weren't they good memories?
"Yea, that was a good time...shoot, I recall that witch in the bleachers at the game too. Hehe..I think she were trying to hit on you..er, Vera rather. And was besides herself when she was brushed off... hahahaha..."
Even their flight from that crazy mando and thugs. It was horrid at the time, desperation, fear..., but now thinking back, Karlie were enamored of the fact that Vera and her sisters were there for her all the way.
And of course, Rom...Vera really, actually remembering how she had enjoyed those vendor's hot dogs.
Thinking back, Karlie hadn't had such a good dog since she were a young child, until Azterri. Her mother used to make her the best of the bestest hog dogs this side of the Rishi Maze., or so she believed, they were so soooo good.
Still, Karlie couldn't deny that the vendor at the park on Azterri seemed to have had genuine hot dogs as she remembered. The aroma just tingled, triggered her primal essence of hunger, just like her mother's. They were like the good memories she had of their picnics during her early lessons her mother used to give her.
And speaking of picnics, most of them were right here in the same meadows, she and Rom were walking through.

"Hehe... don't want to bring it up, but- ..but the last time I ventured to try a hot dog on the Morpheus... " She then recalled Vera's first attempt at serving her dogs...and that were what they god-awfully tasted like on the Morpheus canine franks. Not that Karlie ever ate canine, but the impression to her taste buds and digestive system certainly thought she had. Made her sick to her stomach. No, that weren't one of the best of memories.
"...I wound up under the care of ...you know; Vera... hehe." It were saved by the fact that Vera had pampered her soon after. That certainly had saved their eat-in that day. She filed it in her good memories, as Vera had been so sweet to her despite Karlie vomiting on her white rug.
Still, there was a bit of reluctance in Karlie's enthusiasm on the offer of the hot dogs rom had brought all the way down from the castle. Come on, could anyone blame the blonde in not wanting to up-chuck her innards again? But she trusted Rom and for that, she would give it another try. That is, if Rom ever got to serve them. Karlie were secretly hopping not, but if presented with them, then for her friend, she would take the chance.

As such, the two walked and talked...laughed and teased like two best friends catching up after weeks of separation.
"I'd love to hear you sing...
Maybe we can korokke....or....or even get a girl band together..." Such fun, carefree fantasies ran through the blonde's head as they traversed the sea of tall grass. pollen gatherers like bees and butterflies giving way to their passing like they were gods among the fields....
Karlie definitely missed Rom, not to mention West and everyone on the Morpheus, including Nine. Ok, well, there was still that one sister of Rom that she hadn't found the right connection port. But maybe that eventually would work itself out.

Speaking of sisters, Rom then brought up Karlie's new found one. A real blood sister. Well, half blood as her sister Jehn were from another mother. Karlie still didn't know what to make of the fact that her father had actually had sex with someone else besides her mother Karla. Ok, so her mother had kept her sithly nature from her father...still, it were something by which Karlie had a bit of difficulty understanding. Like-..like she were 6 at the time her dad did the deed.
Shoot, she didn't want to go thinking about that. Not now anyways.

But of her sister? Berkana, yes she had a sister! Her very own sister. A sister like Vera's West and the others. Karlie were ecstatic over the fact that she had a sister too... and a real blood sister at that! Very very excited, Karlie was...
"Oh...Jehn.....
Yea... she's Ok." She of course were downplaying her excitement. And of course, didn't do much of a job hiding it from Rom.

"I think she's like a Je'daii..." No, she didn't think it, she KNEW! It were like WOW, Jehn were a Je'daii! But she didn't want to let on her real excitement about knowing she had her own sister.
"I don't know, she somehow kind of fell into that cult by circumstances beyond her control..." But who was Karlie kidding? She was so happy that Jehn were like the Je'daii master whom had helped her get through childhood force haunts. Master Elohssa had been pivotal in keeping Karlie from succumbing to Darth Rigor's nightmarish force influence as she grew up.

"Still, she' got this awesome katana, carries it like mother....er, Lady LiVes. Yea. Pretty sure she knows how to use it too...like you and mother taught me." Karlie stated, contemplating a moment as to the level of her own skills compared to her sister's...her younger sister.
Then again, Jehn had been taught and had to apply her skills in real battles against other sith taught warriors...

"Hey!" Karlie were nuzzled out of her thoughts by Thane who nudged her from behind.
"What's up with you?"
She then remembered the apples she had in her satchel and pulled one out giving it to her stallion.
Then two more...one for her and Rom.
They were from the orchards south of the estates.

Karlie not thinking, offered one to her friend, as she bit into hers. Delicious Lady's they were...the very same apples from the fruit trees her mother had planted years ago.
"They are very sweet...that's why Thane loves them."

 

[Jehn Sunspire]

Yes, she had sensed it, felt it from the very moment she were introduced to her father. Tarssin had it in him, the very fabric that which gave her the connection to the force and life itself. Yet...yet she had also sensed he were not one who existed through the force. The man didn't readily lean on it for his very stature. Her father had seemed somehow above the use of the force.
The sith saw that as weakness. But Jehn knew it were weakness of one's own ability to rise above the use of the force. The force was a crutch. She had always felt that. But she had needed this crutch in order to survive. As thus, she had become connected to the the force in a degree of dependence.
She could not think of an existence without it.

And yet... yet she had also learned of her sister's existence without the midicloreans. It were unheard of in her past. To a sith, this was an abomination. But not to Jehn, it wasn't.
She understood now as to her resistance in bending the will of her former sith masters. They had desired her to kill, had wanted her to take like. But she circumvented around those sith doctrines...and at an early age too.

Jehn had finally understood as to why when she first met her father.
Despite a lifetime of his physical absence, his spirit were carried on to her.
it took Jehn some time to realize all this...a few weeks. But every moment she were around her father and sister, the more she knew and felt of what her father were meaning...'Blood is everything'

But Jehn, unlike her sister Karlie had lived a lifetime of keeping emotions within and not exercise them to surface. It were what had shaped her to exist among the sith.
Did she desire to run up to this man who was her spiritual and biological creator? YES!!
Had she wanted to hold and feel the touch of her sister's embrace? Like fire, hungry for fuel by which gave life new meaning.

But she couldn't. She were still Jehn. Jehn whom were tooled in the arenas... Jehn who had once been a sith apprentice to a Dark lord.
But despite her savior and mentor Master Elohssa Sun , Jehn had yet to fully embrace the concept of projecting her love...love for her sister...and father. These newfound feelings were alien to her. But at the same time, they were one of the most powerful forces by which had welled up inside her that she had ever known.

It were then that she realized that the immediate conflict she were feeling had projected over to her master, Elohssa Sun
Jehn 's eyes landed on her master. There was compassion in Elohssa's that she needn't the force to disclose it to her. She had spoken of these feelings with her mentor before.
Jehn slightly gestured her head a no. She didn't wish for Elohssa to let on as to what she were experiencing for the first time in her life... the feeling of unconditional love. A love that could only stem from one's family.

"This android..." She replied.
"... it is one the same and of many which were created by Nine Lives of Clan LiVes, that has proved it's loyalty to you sir." Still fighting the urge to call the Viceroy, father. She had never known the true meaning of that word until she discovered of his existence.

"It is no doubt that these units are. Still, they are artificial. They are programmed and no doubt they have fail safe directives.
But these directives are designed by their creator...for the creator...not my s-...not for Karlie...not for you, sir...nor for Castagne." Jehn took a long look into her father's eyes. In that moment, she played out a scenario in her head. Could she dismember him, if she had too?
She wasn't sure. For the first time in her life, she weren't sure if she could dismember anyone.

Jehn vanquished that scenario. it had been her own exercise in what could lay in a prime directive. She were by proxy asking that very same question over Karlie in her mind.
The ensuing conclusion was that she could not currently phantom going against what she felt. it was in a way a simulation as to the possible fail-safe directives on the LiVes androids. They were only unconditionally loyal to their creator and not her sister, father or Castagne.
Jehn knew alliances changed every day..by the hour in some circumstances. It were what she had learned from her sith masters.

 

[Elohssa Sun]

"If I may...." The Je'daii master interjected before her apprentice fully spoke her mind.

"Perhaps more time should be allowed to further see as to what fruit will bear from this alliance" She said, gesturing to Jehn that this may not be the proper time to debate what possible motive the ancient House of LiVes had for Castagne., and/or for Jehn's sister Karlie.

"Jehn... Lord Destat; I haven't had the privilege of spending some time with Karlie... not for the passing of 8 years now. Although it is somewhat difficult to an extent of saying it is currently impossible to connect with your daughter Karlie, she is nevertheless the same young woman I had come to know..." The Je'daii master said.
Elohssa had not seen Karlie for quite some time. Not since the young Destat had managed to sever her connection from the force, not to say at the least being able to exist without the midicloreans. A feat that to this day, has medically proven fatal for others to try and do so. But Karlie had managed to eradicate the midicloreans from her system and survived.
In turn, much of what usually influenced other midi laden non-force users seemed to not influence Karlie. Force push, force suggestion, and anything which could physically connect the force were nearly non existent. nearly as there were traces of midis at any given time within Karlie. But these midi were begotten by the very air she breathed...the food and drink she consumed. But these ingested and inhaled midis were short lived. Karlie's own immune system..one by which seemed to be of a primal nature would attack the midis as if they were a virus and expel it from her body.

These trace amounts, while they existed in that free state, were what Karlie could feel influenced. But they were so minute to her system that it did little if anything at all when influenced by a force user.
A force push would be nothing more than a light touch. A suggestion, nothing more than a whisper on the other side of a mountain.
Karlie in eradicating her dependence to the midicloreans in an otherwise symbiotic existence, managed to revert her system back to what was one an unadulterated midi free state.

"..and respect.
And I must state, as I hadn't picked up on the similarities when I first connected with Jehn, but the two seem to share a common conception of life." Elohssa then said, turning to Jehn.

"There was a familiarity that I recognized in you Jehn, that I couldn't fully place. Your anger is not one of rage, but of discontent. You can fly off the tangent when pushed, but always remain within the line...never crossing it despite the anger.
I had experienced the same with your sister up until she were your age.
I didn't put two and two together. There was no reason too... no justification to do so." Elohssa continued as she rose from her chair and approached her apprentice.

"I were as shocked as you when I inadvertently by some divine destiny compared your blood sample with that on record and discovered the link.
It were reason I had to ask you for more blood because I couldn't understand how something of this nature had come to be. Your DNA chain coding was that of your father's and that of Karlie's." The Je'daii master explained.

What had soon followed was contact with the Viceroy and then Karlie. That was weeks past, since Elohssa and Jehn first met Tarssin and Karlie. naturally, Elohssa hadn't seen both in quite some time...8 years almost.

"Jehn... Lord Tarssin, this inherent respect for life that I see prevailing within Karlie and Jehn stems from you, Lord Destat.
You must understand that Jehn were trained, brought up in an environment toxic to many, many force users. Jehn should have fallen to the darkness at a very young age. But she didn't. Your spirit within her DNA held strong, just as it did with her sister Karlie when she were under the weight of Darth Rigor. Your daughter Karlie, like Jehn here...prevailed against the pitch of darkness."

 

[Vera Mina]

Rom took the apple from Karlie Lynn Destat .

The Android took a bite, surprised by the deliciousness. It wasn't blood. But it was still tasty.

"Wow..." Rom remarked, tasting fruit for the first time. Humans tasted fruits like this all the time. It sent unexpected pleasure signals to her brain.

It also brought with it knowledge. The Knowledge that she had stopped others from ever enjoying the sensation of fruit juices rolling down a tongue.

A sharp sliver of guilt, more intense than what she had experienced before ran through her mind, momentarily disrupting the fantasy she had of feeding Karlie one of these on a beach in a new and bloodless environment, where there was no one being murdered to please Karlie.

(Empathy raised by 0.07 percent)

Rom's hand touched Thane's neck, stroking it. Most of her processing power was on memorizing every second of Karlie eating the Apple.

"I am glad you finally know the joy of having a sibling by blood." Rom said genuinely, now hoping she actually got to meet Jehn Sunspire , "Mother has always been of the opinion that family is the one shield that musn't break in this Galaxy. With whole factions vying to murder one another, A family is the difference between life and death, or loss of sanity or the maintenance of it."

Rom petted the horse some more after finishing the apple, looking at an animal for the first time as something other than a food source.

"Karlie..." Rom trailed, eyes twinkling..."will you show me how to ride a Horse. It...its such a mesmerizing creature. Do you think it understands us? What we're saying?"

Rom was truly becoming fascinated with it. Thick muscles under a cover of fur...yet so gentle...this meadow, and its colors...it was like she was all seeing it, really seeing it, for the first time.

"This whole place is amazing in fact..." Rom whispered in fascination, peering around...

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

Thane nudged her again, wanting another apple.
Karlie obliged, reaching into her satchel, pulling out the last one.
"I swear, he inhales them..." Karlie chuckled, continuing to lead them back toward the estate.

Karlie had come to understand more of what her sensei Nine Lives had included in her lessons. The great Lady LiVes had seemed to always include family bonds in one form of lesson or another. But Karlie at the time had been more focused on trying to learn both bio-physics and how to be a bad-ass, to fully grasp at what her sensei were meaning.
That is until she came to discover that she had a sister. Then all that which lady Lives had spoke about suddenly made all the sense in the universe.

Karlie had made a mental note to thank her sensei when she would see her again.

"Haha...you're serious." Karlie replied, looking over to Rom.
Her bestie wished to ride a horse. Not many people liked horses, thinking them as yesterday's beast of burden. Why ride such an animal when you could cruise in a speeder? hell, speeders were more reliable and didn't need any care. they worked and could be used in all weather...both day and night.

"Ok...yes...why not now?" Karlie then asked coming to a halt. Turning, she pat her stallion, and whispered into his ear. Thane seemed irritated, shaking his head as if protesting her request with a 'No'. But it were not quite a no, as it were more that her whisper tickled his ear.
Thane was all for another good run. Thus, he then lobbed his head up and down shortly after.

"Hahaha..." Karlie laughed, as she then took hold of his muzzle's strap, steadying Thane.
"Here...put your left foot in this stirrup and lift yourself up on to the saddle..." She instructed.

"Come on...don't be afraid." It were easy to forget that Rom was one of the most feared in the galaxy and had like near zero fear. Of course no fear for her own existence but had concern for some particular others that could in a manner be construed as a form of fear.
But back to the android and horse...

"...just get on up, in a smooth motion. I'll do the same once you're seated.." Yes, the blonde was going to get behind her bestie.
There was no thought on weather Thane could handle both their combined weight. Thane was one strong stallion.

 

[Jehn Sunspire]

It was strange, alien even, this odd feeling she found herself experiencing.
How long and often had she wondered nursing her wounds and bruises, both begotten in the arena and that of her masters, as to whom she were...and as to why she had a conscious as she had understood at the time.

Her eyes trailed on the man whom had sired her. A man she could swear on the gods that she had known deep within her very core that he existed. It were as to the 'why' Jehn had agreed to meet her father under Elohssa's request. there had been no hesitation, no second thought. then again, Jehn had learned early in life that such hesitation were in fact deadly. No, Jehn were trained too well to hesitate on anything.
And it had proved true once more. There was no mistaken it, it had been a fruitful decision.

But these feelings here on Castagne..here before the man who was her father...when she were around her blood sister, if were like nothing she had ever felt before.

"Master Elohssa... Lord Tarssin, it is true that I had existed only knowing and experiencing darkness under my former sith masters. This soul you have often spoke to me about, master Elohssa...can this soul which exists within me...feel?" She asked, for it were heavy on her at the moment. It were again something she had never experienced, not until her mentor Elohssa brought her forth to experience the light. It were only then that she had first felt what she were now feeling tenfold. Her father...Tarssin and her sister seemed to foster this light...this feeling of being...being more than existing by one self.
Jehn knew this feeling would take some time to acclimate to..to get used to it. She had mastered it with Elohssa when she first came to embrace and surrender to the light. But this were more intense than the revelation of finding balance within the darkness pitch she had only once known.

She now belonged, to not only in kind like her, but to what she were coming to understand as family.
And this connection, this overwhelming want of belonging now were like a drug...euphoria.

Jehn knew she would have to learn new avenues of balancing these new ebbs that were creating ripples in the very core of the force within her... along with everything else.

Maybe she would take that spirit (shot of Whyrens)...then maybe not.
Indecision's first, she realized as a small smile edged her lips.
No.
No she would not dull this current flow of belonging. It-......... it felt complete...satisfying. But she knew it could be construed as a weakness...exploited by those not in this room. Jehn for the first time in her existence was realizing the true nature of the concept 'love', and what it truly meant. Again, for the first time in her life, she came to know how much more power 'love' had over the force. This revelation came to her as she performed a mental exercise, one not so different than the ones she performed during the arena battles. Only this exercise did not involve the opponent's fate, but her own.

Jehn simply put forth the thesis; 'would she die for her father and blood sister?'

Jehn for a moment seemed to be elsewhere, until her mentor Master Elohssa drew her back to the 'now'.

"Yes...I'm fine, Master Elohssa. I was just... elsewhere, for a moment. " She replied, before turning from Elohssa to her father.

"Would it be improper for my person to call you; father?" She asked in a tone by which Tarssin could gage as that of his other daughter. The similarity in tone and intent were too similar to be coincidental. If there was a portion of his spirit within Karlie as master Elohssa had indicated, then in Jehn, it resided within her too.

 

[Tarssin Destat]

Astrid.
She had Astrid's eyes.
"I'm more than comfortable, if you would..." he replied.
It were a clear projection that he meant what he were saying...and also if Jehn were herself comfortable in trying that out.

Tarssin had been a loving, supportive and understanding father to Karlie. He had just discovered the existence of another daughter less than a mere two months...and just a month ago that they looked into each others eyes and knew in that moment that they were connected.


An hour later...

Jehn were interested in her sister's relationship with House LiVes than anything else. This interest seemed to have the Je'daii master somewhat surprised, as apparently Elohssa had not thought her apprentice were that focused on the matter. Despite that fact, Elohssa seemed to take a back seat and observe.

"I can attest to the bond which exists between House LiVes and Castagne, Jehn...Master Elohssa.
You've read my entries...gone over that of both bureaus and Karlie's personal log." If she had actually shot him a questioning look, it would have had a lesser reaction. But Jehn remained as calm and serene as if he were talking about the weather. But he felt her instant focus on that matter...the log...his daughter's log. It had not been an official one, as the one Karlie entered with the IBI, but her personal one.

"Jehn... as you now know, Karlie doesn't know. At least she hasn't let up as knowing I have access to her personal entries..
I do however have no doubt she suspects I'm overseeing her interests. Lady Nine and I are on the same page. Karlie as intelligent as she is, is quite vulnerable. Her IQ tested that of her mother. But she is not Darth Rigor, nor has any of the ambitions of her mother...nor that of my own. This world, Castagne, is the only thing she desires to be free. I believe she would risk her own life to secure it from Darth Rigor.
Which brings us to House LiVes. Karlie has been currently training under Lady LiVes...her sensei."

With this, he certainly got an eye shot response from his daughter Jehn.

 

[Vera Mina]

"Like this?" Rom asked as she did as Karlie instructed. She got on the horse easily, heart beating faster as Karlie got behind her on the horse.

The Horse whinnied a little bit.

"Why does it make that sound?" Rom asked. "Am I sitting on Thane wrong?"

Rom didn't want to hurt Karlie's pet. Especially when she was starting to understand how impressive and beautiful of an animal Than actually was.

Rom began to also really, truly notice how beautiful the whole area was. She hardly ever noticed if an environment was beautiful. There was only her, Karlie, her Family, and the Castle Morpheus and what she wanted.

She found herself paying attention to the light and green. To Karlie's breathing.

How many had she stopped so far, from ever having such delights again?

(Empathy raised by 0.07 percent)

"My body mutated recently to accept food like yours in small amounts. I never would have been able to eat that apple before..." Rom mentioned.

Her mind remained, however, on the question just asked. And try as the otherwise murderous Android did to banish the question, she couldn't.


Meanwhile...

Following: Westenra Mina

Configuration: Ensan, Lorna, (See Westenra's Bio.)

Location: Lydrik Estates (Castagne)

Westenra-Prime, currently in her stealth configuration, that of a bronze skinned, curvy athlete in a yellow and black leotard with matching gloves and boots approached the perimeter of Lydrik Estates, a Pearlescent Dome set into the gold grass steppes of an ancient valley on Castagne on the other side of the planet. It was next to a lake on which bioluminescent red orchids floated on the water.

After the attempt on them at the Nightclub, Westenra had spent weeks tracking the origins of the Mercenaries, she had turned up virtually nothing. Nothing except this Place.

Lydrik Estates was home to the reclusive Scientist Emil Lydrik. He had used to work in Ian's organization but left because his theories on Bio Droids at the time had been considered too radical to be taken seriously.

That was, until Vera and West had been encountered.

Now, with rumors a super advanced Android was working directly with IBI, West theorized it was possible any friends Lydrik had left had let slip something. Emil had been an egotist. Next to impossible to work with. He was also unquestionably brilliant.

He had been looking to crack the secret to making practical bio droids that were intelligent enough to outwit the enemy regularly, but not endowed with enough free will to rebel. He had enough friends that he couldn't have all his security clearances revoked.

Lydrik estates was more than just an expensive multimillion credit mansion. He ran war games there, a private arena testing Battle Droids against his designs. He had focused on Regenerative properties.

Westenra grew concerned when she had shown Mother notes of his research.

"This is very intelligent Man." Nine warned her after going over his notes for only a minute or so. "He's no amatuer. He's got very good instincts. Its just that his Genome sequencing is a little sloppy. His retroactive Cell augmentation work is...passable. watch yourself."

With that warning Westenra decided to set up bait.

Another copy of her, in the guise of Psychologist Lorna Prynce was going to a party of his, to provide bait. Westenra's combat protocols determined he might have sensors to detect her sort of technology, but not know the full threat a Westenra Copy posed. She had sent the copy in first as a guest with a specialty in analyzing the psychology of Droids, and dousing the whole party in her pheremones. Meanwhile, Westenra-Prime would be infiltrating his server room, attempting to find some connection between him and the mercenaries...each of the mercs had their prints and teeth removed or replaced, via genetic treatments that resembled Lrdrik's work. It was tenuous but it was all they had.

Hopefully Ian Sade would be along shortly. This was a Two Operative Job. Even as powerful as West was, there would definitely be defenses only a skilled human like Ian could overcome.

West waited, her encrypted beacon sure to get Ian to her, unless it was some other he chose to send in his ppace. But this was sensitive enough only the best could hope to get in and out alive.

 

[Karlie Lynn Destat]

She pat Thane, giving her steed a firm reassurance all were good with one hand before wrapping it around with the other around her friend.

"Haha... no, you're not hurting him..." She laughed.
It were true, Thane would have bucked, were it not for Karlie offering his back to Rom.

"You pick up quick..." She commented on Rom mimicking her motion for him to get underway. Seemed her friend had picked up on using her legs as a means of communicating with Thane.
But what was this....Rom could actually digest food now? This of course piqued her curiosity. Did this mean her Vera could too? Sure they shared the same core, but Karlie learned from Nine as to the enhanced abilities of her daughters to not only reconfigure their outward appearances but functions. Although the basic core itself relatively remained unchanged...it were for the most part the central core of all it's possible configurations. Some bio-scientist would call it the central power source. The end configuration would however be more in tune with what the creator (Nine) would have chosen to be their individuality.
It were complicated neural theoretical theory even in Karlie's understanding. But closer to Nine's visionary understanding than any other bio-engineering scientist working with AIs.

"Ahh... so that explains the hot dogs... " She gave her friend Rom a light squeeze.
"You know... I had noticed for some time that no matter where we were, that you and-
...well, what were the odds of me being the only one who were always hungry? Too coincidental for you to already have eaten....each and every time... haha.
Anyway, thought it was cute, considerate even, you, everyone acting as such for my sake...Hehe." Yes, she had figured that out for some time, but still played along, for Karlie understood Rom in all her configurations were always trying to make her feel at ease around them.

Karlie had in fact learned much from Nine, as both her understudy and apprentice. Nine had not only been her sensei, but had given her much more insight on her daughters, as her bio-science teacher. One being that all of her daughter's configurations, including Vera's were potentially much more than she originally had envisioned. Karlie learned that Nine had broken the barrier between artificial intelligent and that of real intelligence. Real intelligence and being human came from experiences...from actual real ones and nothing that could have come from programing. Sure Nine 's daughters had their creator's basic core intelligence, but they were also given the ability to develop true free will.
This of course came to explain as to the gradual development of empathy...of a real conscious in Nine's daughters.
Anyway, it were as Karlie understood it...as she herself broke it down to understanding the life-science which was still in true infancy to the blonde as compared to Nine's. Still, perhaps Karlie were the closest to coming into that understanding. perhaps, equaling that of her own mother, Darth Rigor...

But putting all that aside, it still did not change Karlie's attachment to all of Nine's daughters, say for that Meir.
Well, what were one to say? Personality clashes.
Rom for example was certainly Vera, but in a different perspective...like a split personality of kind. Not in any sense being of a phycological disorder, but one of diversity...each configuration having a certain proficiency at what the core center required at any given time for any given reason or purpose. In short, the ultimate multi-purpose android.

"Sooo... you actually ate the apple?
Heh..." This seemed to change everything. At least her perception of not realizing Rom's catalytical progression. Nine had informed her that they would eventually evolve on their own...

"I was wondering as to how you were able to quickly discharge what you bit of the apple.
I swear, I was like 'How the frak she doing it?!'...hehe.
I know you are fast, but-" She didn't have to finish. Not with words anyway. She simply pressed herself closer to Rom. Rom her best friend. It were definitely her way of letting Rom know and feel she were happy about the fact she were developing as such.

"Question..." Karlie popped her head over to notice they were nearing the manor.
".... are you heading us back, or you letting Thane?"

 

[Jehn Sunspire]

Could she belong here?
Jehn had never known such place as that of her fathers estates. Even the Je'daii academy were but a place of much unrest and turmoil.
This felt unnatural....like a selfish dream she barely could place as when she were a child being broken.
It had been far too long since such dreams imagined.
But the present was as real as it felt.

Jehn caught her sister again out in the distance and walked over to the study's window...eyes piercing the distance like that of a raptor. She had good eyesight, enhanced by the natural force she were attuned to.
Master Elohssa's reflection in the glass were but the shadow of her presence, whom had come over to her. Jehn's awareness, however focused on her sister were of a keen gladiator...she knew/felt both Elohssa and her father's every movement and motion..their breathing...even as far as sensing their immediate attention.
These traits had been honed in the battle arena's at a very young age.

Her sister did. Belong.
It were surreal...the meadow, the rolling waves of green grass upon the low hills...like a green sea. And in the distance, two figures on an elph (horse) making way toward shore 9the manor). These had been only dreams before. dreams of a little girl putting herself distance from the bruises and the pain of mutilating another child as she had been commanded to do in the arena. It had been Jehn's escape, these dreams.
But now. Now here on Castagne ...a real sister....all real, in what used to be only a dream to vanquish her pain.

Jehn felt Elohssa's hand on her shoulder before it came close in touching her.
The Je'daii master's touch were like a safety valve to an over pressurized vessel. Only with Jehn, it were an emotional overload. One that on the surface gave no clue as to that which were taking place inside.
Jehn's head slightly turned, yet not loosing sight of the two on horseback. A slight nod, before she fully turned gave the master the assurance that she were Ok and grateful for her empathy. Jehn had never felt such powerful emotions as she did here on Castagne.

"Perhaps I should journey a solitude walk." She then spoke, meeting her master's eyes before moving over to Tarssin's.
'Father' she had asked in calling him. Tarssin had without hesitation welcomed it. His emotions were as heavy as hers...but well under control. She could sense it. She wondered if he could do the same.

Still, it were time to take in the sweet air of the field. The chambers which were hers had a balcony and veranda that opened to the outdoors, but she needed to feel the earth below her...pray to her gods for the fruit of bounty given...pray for those lost whom she knew had been sacrificed to her blades. Jehn never killed anyone, but the masters of those whom she had defeated (other battle children) and maimed in the battle arena did suffer under their blades and games with beasts.
She had much blood on her hands by proxy. This were as same as she had ended their term in life.
She would pray for them... for forgiveness.

Forgiveness...
It were the first time she thought of that; to be forgiven. But were she even worthy of it...ever?

"If you will excuse me, father...Master Elohssa.." Jehn bowed her head and headed out the studies.