Faction For A Crystal [LotS]

[Arcturus Dinn]

"Hold strong."​

​

Though not usually one to take charge, or demand things of others, in that moment Thesh's tone permitted no alternative to the command. The ship he had commandeered lurched as unseen hands sought to guide it into a field of starship debris, but the one who sat as pilot deftly compensated for it. The boy had done his research before coming to this region of space, he knew better than to let just any spacer take the helm and guide them to safety. No, the one who sat there was not of flesh but of durasteel and bolts: a droid. With no mind to sway, the mesmerizing diathim who flew just beyond the transparisteel viewing port could do little to achieve their goals. This ship would not be striking ground without pause. Its passengers would not face a fiery death.​

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But that did not mean that those within were free from their allure. That siren's call which goaded them into taking the reins and seeing to it that the ship crashed. Thesh had not had to restrain anyone yet, he had not had to lock the door to the cockpit, but he was prepared to do so if he had to.​

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"They have no power over you. Resist."​

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For his own part, as torn as his focus was Thesh was ensuring his own mind was free from their corrupting influence. It took a lot of energy to counteract it, though, and he feared that if they did not break atmosphere soon he'd lose his composure. And then their venture would have been for naught. Everything until this point would have amounted to nothing.​

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No. He would not permit that to be so.​

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He was joined by a few others who belonged to the teachings of the Sith. Brought forth to explore the world of Iego in search of a rumoured Sith laboratory. It was a trip of Thesh's own devising, though he was already feeling the strains which accompanied such a decision. As head of the expedition, any wrong decision or false move would be on his head... And all for a crystal.​

​

A crystal that might not even exist.​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Power was an interesting thing. To have it. To loose it. To find something greater and become something greater. For Alina, it'd been a much too quick rollercoaster. Growing up her whole life without power, then learning she could cut people off from the Force. Learning Matukai. and becoming something strong. Threatening. Then suddenly having it ripped away when she lost her arms. The powerlessness it gave her, she couldn't handle it. Refused to accept that her life would be altered in such a way.

So she found it. Sangnir Vampirism. Power over blood. Immortality. Regeneration. Through it, her arms came back. Through it, she learned a power far greater than she could of hoped for. Through blood she could finally feel the Force as she always envisioned others could feel it. In a way, she'd gotten drunk on power. Now she was here, in a ship bound for Iego, preparing to get a new crystal and make a new lightsaber. Her lightsaber. No longer would she let her family define who she was.

She was something greater.

The siren's call fell on deaf ears for the young Sith. She was muting the force around herself, stopping the effect from ever affecting her mind. At least until one of the crewmates gave into the call. Her eyes snapped up as the man rushed from his seat for the droid piloting. She raised a hand in response. By their blood she threw them back to their seat, yellow eyes narrowed.

"Fight it, or I will fight you."

Arcturus Dinn

 

[Melydia Gold]

Melydia's face was glued to a transparisteel viewing port, utterly mesmerized by the creature outside, floating alongside the ship. She had been many places, seen many things, but nothing was quite like the diathim. The insectoid found herself so very terribly tempted to glide out the airlock and approach the creature herself. After all, if they could survive flight in the vacuum of space, surely she could, too, right?

"They have no power over you. Resist."

Her brow furrowed when she overheard Thesh. What power was she meant to be resisting? Surely he was talking about something else, something that'd come up whilst she was preoccupied with the viewport. She stood from her seat, wings twitching in anticipation at the idea of taking flight. Her head was buzzing, both with thoughts half-formed and others that she couldn't quite get a grasp on. Something was off, eating at the back of her mind, yet any time she had an idea of what it might be, it slipped away like sand through an open hand.

Another stood up from their seat, heading the opposite direction her own shakey feet seemed drawn towards. She watched as Alina, an apprentice she'd met a handful of times before, reached out a hand towards the individual, seemingly forcing them back in their seat.

"Fight it, or I will fight you."​

Again, Melydia's brow furrowed, head tilting to the side before her gaze drifted once again to the creature outside the vessel. So close yet currently so far away.

"What are we fighting?"​

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Thesh's head whipped around in the direction of the one who would see them all crash and burn, drawing upon the Force as he raised his hand and-- and saw that Alina Tremiru already had things covered. The mind of non-sensitives, it would seem, was far more willing to be compelled than their superior counterparts. Until now none of the Acolytes had succumbed to the madness inspired by the siren's call. One among them even seemed oblivious to it, though beneath the surface he could sense a very subtle struggle. Was she simply not acknowledging it?​

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A sound enough tactic, he supposed.​

​

Another bump rocked the ship, as they drifted past another series of moons and neared the planet proper. He braced himself, reaching up and securing one hand to the roof of the cockpit, as they prepared to break through the atmosphere of the planet. He could have sat, could have buckled in and resisted the jolt, but he stood poised and ready to stop any others from failing in their task to just bloody resist it.​

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"Do you really not hear it?" he inquired softly, head turning toward Melydia Gold as he did so, "Is it not ever present within your mind?"​

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The boy seemed genuinely curious, perplexed even, that the Diathim had no real effect upon her. Outside the viewing ports the host of angels screeched, pulling away from the ship lest they burn up in the planet's atmosphere; they could descend should they will it, of course, but to go at the same rate as the ship would spell disaster. He watched as they drifted back behind them, retreating back to their moons.​

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And with it, the call seemed to quieten itself. Still somewhat present, but not so intense. He could see the relief on those around them who had been fighting particularly hard. Sweat shined upon many a brow. Even his own, he noticed.​

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"Bring her in to land, where we discussed," he informed the droid, who had seen them through so treacherous a system. While the ship drifted on he turned back to his counterparts, and offered them a light nod. A sigh of relief escaped his lips before he could stop it, though he did not peg either of them for being fiends who might expose such as weakness. Everyone who stared potential death in the face had to feel the same way... right?​

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His eyes drifted once more to Melydia. Maybe not that one, she hadn't even realized how close they had been to death at all... He'd have to keep a close eye on that one.​

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"Good work, by the way." He looked at Alina this time, "I forgot how quick your reaction time is..." What could vaguely be regarded as a smile pulled at his lips then, as his mind drifted to their first meeting back on Korriban. Yes, he should not have been surprised. In fact, it was good that she was with them in so strange a place as this.​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Alina's brow furrowed as her attention shifted to Melydia Gold . She really couldn't hear them? Arcturus Dinn seemed to have a similar disbelief, voicing the concern first. Her eyes flicked back to the man she'd made sit down before. He seemed to be struggling. Her eyes narrowed, and the hold she had on him tightened. Keeping him still. The last thing anyone needed was him freaking out on them and getting them crashed. Or distracted.

Atmosphere couldn't come soon enough. Once the Angels broke off, she let out a sigh of relief. The barrier she'd created herself wasn't an easy one to maintain, especially when she was trying to control another at the same time. It dropped once they were past the atmosphere, her gaze shifting to the acolyte. Their bout on Korriban was still fresh in her mind, and just thinking about it brought a smile to her lips.

"It's only gotten faster, I assure you. Though none of it would matter if you hadn't brought that droid along." She hadn't even realized how dangerous this planet was until the songs began. By now, she'd likely have crashed herself. Sometimes it paid off to have allies close by.

"Where are we landing?"

 

[Melydia Gold]

Melydia blinked once, twice. "Well, yes, is it not the most beautiful sound you've heard?" She asked, looking back to Thesh, perplexed. In the view port behind them, she caught sight of the Diathim easing up on their pursuit, leaving to return to their homes. She gave a start as if to rush to the air lock, before stopping and sighing in defeat. By the time she got out there, it'd likely be too late. Another opportunity for friendship missed again.

As the ship drew further away, however, she began to piece things together. Her head was nowhere near as fuzzy as it was before. Alina had stopped that guy from running - where was he running? Oh, to the cockpit. Oh. "Oh." Perhaps those angels weren't so friendly after all.

With a quick shake of the head, the expressions of confusion molted from her face, now back to the standard wide-eyed curiosity. Part of her hoped that perhaps her current companions would continue to think she was immune to the siren song. Another part of her had already moved past that near-disaster. "Yes, yes, where are we going now?"

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Thesh stared for a moment as the realization struck him.​

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Their winged companion did hear it. In fact, she was held under its sway far more than any other in the room... She simply hadn't acted upon it. Caught up instead in the beauty of the song, she could only stare and admire and wistfully long to join them.​

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Somehow that was even more curious to him than his previous assessment. What made one react in such a peculiar way?​

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Alina's words drew him from his musing, and he grinned toward her. "Faster? Careful now, you'll be breaking the sound barrier soon." Eyes shifted toward the droid as it was mentioned, and he hummed some under his breath. Yes, he was glad he'd done his research. There was something to be said about having one's nose stuck in a book most of the day!​

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Though given how quick they had been to respond to the weaker willed among them, perhaps it had been an overly cautious decision. No matter.​

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"That's our target, right.... There."​

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As it came into view, admittedly off in the distance, he gestured a slender finger toward the front of the cockpit and a jutting building in the distance. "That is Senth-Point Lab, a research facility lost to time. Word is, it once belonged to a sect of Sith Alchemists..." That was, after all, how he'd first come to hear of it. He was ever hungry in his search for more knowledge about the metaphysical and mystic. "They used to create genetically altered creatures, and the like. But I'm more interested in their crystals... Synthetic, corrupted, like those belonging to the Sith of Old."​

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His eyes shone as he spoke, as passion flowed through his words. It was not often that he spoke so much, or of a topic he enjoyed. But he caught himself before he waffled on for too much longer, and leaned against the hull of the ship.​

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Soon enough, they'd be coming in to land. And then, well then who knew what would await them inside the derelict building.​

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Alina Tremiru Melydia Gold ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

​

Her gaze narrowed on Melydia Gold . Not out of anger or annoyance. Worry. The realization that the angels were dangerous came way too late after the danger had passed. She'd have to be one to watch, incase she ended up in another dangerous situation. Especially if it blew up and put the others in danger. Alina let out a breath before looking back to Arcturus Dinn as he explained their destination. She hadn't though too much on what this excursion would mean, but a place where they made their own artificial crystals?

The excitement rose. Thus far her saber was the one passed down to the head of the Tremiru family. It was a well balanced weapon, but it never felt truly like hers. It was a weapon made for sorcerers and alchemists after all. "Perfect. We can create our own crystals. Our way." She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. Her gaze drifted to the man she'd immobilized. He at least looked understanding for what she'd done.

"When we land I'll let you move again. Not a second before."

 

[Melydia Gold]

If Melydia noticed the looks the others were casting in her direction, she gave no inclination of such. The Diathim were gone and what danger there was (she wasn't entirely convinced she would've been in that much danger) had passed. It was time to move on. And move on she did, head swiveling between her two fellows to track their exchange and take in the information as presented.

"What sort of altered creatures?" she asked, face lighting up at their mention. The crystals were all fine and dandy, an exciting find no doubt, but the opportunity to add to her collection of friends was just as, if not even more so, exciting. Crystal making was intriguing, no doubt, but also a bit off from her skillset. The insect wielded organic material as if it was almost natural to do so. Inorganic, however, she was at a near-loss and excited to learn more.

"You could always sit on their lap, you know," she said, curious eyes turning to Alina as she talked to the person in question, the one who'd tried to make a run for it. "Save your strength that way. Why, we could do that for you if you'd like."

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

One shared his excitement for the crystals, the other was hung up on the notion of altered creatures. Well, he didn't know too much in the way of specifics regarding the latter, but he scratched at his chin and pondered it all the same.​

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"I'm not rightly sure," he finally admitted, with a loose shrug, "They weren't too forthcoming with the outcomes of their splicing. Maybe we can find some documents though?" Or a sample... If they had propagated numerous of a species, what was to say there weren't some still hidden away within the depths of the lab? No doubt further mutated over countless eons, but still...​

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He didn't voice that, however. Didn't want to get anyone's hopes up.​

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When talk turned to sitting on their non-Force User counterpart he rolled his eyes some and turned from them both to approach the droid. One hand lifted to touch against the ceiling, as they slowly drifted in to a land. There were no other ships, no signs that other sentients were present. It was a strange, oddly barren region of Iego if one was to look at its placement, yet from below it seemed to devolve into the canyon it sat into the side of.​

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If not for its one jutting tower, they might have overlooked it entirely.​

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"Everyone ready?" he inquired, pulling a backpack from the copilot's seat and slinging it over his shoulder, "Got everything we need?"​

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Who knew what lay inside, whether they'd be able to return to the ship again any time soon...​

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Alina Tremiru Melydia Gold ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

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A lighthearted laugh escaped Alina at Melydia Gold 's suggestion. It was a good one, for when she was younger. Weaker. She very well would of done just that. Even now it was tempting. The man wasn't bad to look at. And torturing him a little could be fun. But this wasn't the time. Her gaze shifted to Arcturus Dinn , giving him a nod. Information on these creatures might please her master. Well, one of her masters.

The ship landed, and her grasp on the man faded, as promised. He grumbled as he stood, but she ignored him. She honestly wasn't sure why they brought along these people. What they were looking to do was beyond those who couldn't use the Force.

"I'm set. Let's get going."

 

[Melydia Gold]

The prospect of new findings renewed Melydia's enthusiasm, as displayed in the nod she gave when asked if she was ready, only to give a quick "Oh, wait!" to pause and actually take inventory of her things. Notebook, check. Lightsaber, check, and soon to be improved. Bag of friends? The bag had been left at her seat when she'd gotten up to join the Diathim. Quickly, she pounced on the item, slinging it back onto her shoulder and plucking a loose beetle from the ground and adding it to the bag's contents.

"Now we are ready," she said with a nod to the others, practically buzzing with anticipation. Now that the ship had landed, she could be rid of the durasteel floors, back on some dirt, and if she saw another angel she could follow unimpeded and -- she was getting ahead of herself. "Yes, yes, let's go."

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Aside from the grabbing of satchels, it seemed as though they were already prepared to leave. Fantastic. Two of the non-Forcies among them grabbed blaster rifles and exited the ship ahead of them, the other two remained behind. With a quick glance at the latter, a warning look should they try anything funny, he descended down the ships ramp and inspected their surroundings.​

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The air was dry when he breathed it in, but a welcome change from recycled ships air. There was a slight breeze, but heat permeated even that. Some dust and sand kicked up from above and below, but he paid it no more mind than simply pulling up a scarf to cover his nose and mouth. They would be inside soon enough, and then it wouldn't even matter.​

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Most of the laboratory was built into the canyon itself. It went higher, it went lower, but to access it one had to be at ground level. Either at the base of the canyon, or at the top. There were no docking bays between the two, as one would often expect from such a towering structure. And they had arrived at the top of the canyon.​

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That meant they had two choices upon entering.​

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Up, or down.​

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He approached the entryway, which was closed and resistant to his attempts at physically opening it. He waved his hand instead, and pulled with the might of the Force. There was a resounding creak and then the sound of grinding metal as the durasteel doors were forced open, the inner machinations no doubt hurt in the process.​

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Truth be told, he didn't rightly care. He wasn't about to let a closed door stop him from reaching his goal.​

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"Alright, which way do we want to try first?" he inquired, peering up, and then down, as the stairwell opened up before them. It was a large foyer, and much of the upper levels were open to it. They could see up a long way before a ceiling came into view. Of course, the level they were on likely also had rooms to explore.​

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And somewhere, deep inside, the possibility of true danger.​

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Alina Tremiru Melydia Gold ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

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Ah, that's why they were here. To keep the ship from being stolen, just in case. Good. She smiled at the two who remained. They'd also make a good meal for when she got hungry, if they stayed too long here. Her smile might of given a bit of that away, as the worry in their gaze was all too obvious. Still, she kept the smile until they were out of sight, then followed her fellows into the building.

"Down. What I know about forges is that they take intense heat to run. And, it's a usual Sith thing to put their sacred things deep in the ground when they can."

Melydia Gold | Arcturus Dinn

 

[Darth Arkanus]

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Grabbing his staff he made his way out of the ship, looking at the group as he shook his head softly eyeing the young group of acolytes. How he got into this group, he couldn't figure out. He was there now that is all he knew, and he intended to get some crystals and make it back out alive. Not knowing what could possibly be there, and the fact that there was a derelict building, didn't mean there wasn't lifeforms that would tear them limb from limb.

"Taking a piece from the past and your knowledge of how people work, good, shows you've brushed up a little since when we first met. I agree with this point we should try going down first, we should not split up, in case of any potential issues that may arise from coming here and searching for the prize that awaits us."

Alina Tremiru | Arcturus Dinn | Melydia Gold

 

[Melydia Gold]

Melydia's lips pursed in quiet contemplation, head rolling from one side to the other as if searching for just the right angle to rest in. Up or down, that was the question, wasn't it? Up, at least how she had grown to associate it, would mean windows, things meant to be on display. Pretties, then, perhaps. And crystals were often pretty.

Down, on the other hand, meant secrets, things not meant to be found unless one was intentionally lead. It could mean danger, it could mean traps. It could mean beasties or all other sorts of secret things. "Oooo yes, down seems like the fun route," she agreed, momentarily taken aback by the newcomer at their side. Or perhaps he wasn't a newcomer at all and she'd simply been oblivious. Yeah, that sounded right. "Like hunting for buried treasure - buried beasties! Yes, yes let's go that way."

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru | Darth Arkanus ​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

So it was decided then.​

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Down.​

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Down was the way to go.​

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He didn't bother to spend much more time debating in the foyer than that. He led them toward the staircase and began their descent down. There were likely turbolifts around, but were they working? He did not know. Would they have been reliable? Again, no clue. So for now descending by foot stood to be the sanest of options, no?​

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He certainly thought so.​

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"I don't believe I caught your name, friend," he said to the Zabrak in passing. This trip had been made available to any whom it interested, but that didn't mean he knew much about either of them. He had sparred with Alina, delved into tombs alongside Melydia, but the Zabrak? Other than in passing, he was new to Thesh.​

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The stairs seemed to go on for a millennia. There were no alcoves, no landings, they just descended deeper and deeper into the canyon until a heat radiated up toward them and a glowering light permeated the air. Something seemed active. If not mechanical, then he was eager to discover what exactly it was. Another moat of magma, perhaps? Like the one they'd happened upon in the Valley?​

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They'd have to find out, wouldn't they.​

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Melydia Gold Darth Arkanus Alina Tremiru ​

 

[Alina Tremiru]

A playful smirk spread over Alina's features as another familiar voice filled her ears. Her gaze turned to Darth Arkanus , to whom she offered a small bow of her head. "Good to know you think I'm improving. What of you? Still leaning on that cane of yours?" She wasn't shy about teasing him, given she knew he wasn't a Lord this time around. Just another acolyte.

If a bit older.

Everyone was in agreement at least. Down was their first destination. She certainly had no intention of using the lift. Old machinery could break at any moment. And strong as she was getting, this was likely to still kill her. The light ahead caught her attention as she was sure it caught the attention of everyone else.

"So, who wants to go first?"

 

[Darth Arkanus]

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He Let out a bit of a chuckle as he just shook his head. Having his hood over his head and his staff in his hands, he leaned on it heavily as he looked over the group of young acolytes and watched them as they decided their choices. He nodded in approval as the group as a whole agreed on the path they were to take. Growing older had shown him that any group should agree on a course of action, should they not they are doomed to fail. The wise must lead the dumb, the strong must lead the weak.

"Well I am too old to go first, one of you youngsters should go, with your better eyes and muscles, I am just a weak and feeble man."

Although he may not be weak and feeble he had no trouble leaning into the role allowing for himself a buffer of safety, and caution even as he dealt with fellow acolytes. It may have put a target on his back, but that would require them to deem him so unworthy as to take the effort to do the job. This was another buffer to keep him safe, for at least a while until this small exploit of his was uprooted and have to set on a different path, but that time had not come yet so an old man he would be.

Alina Tremiru | Arcturus Dinn | Melydia Gold

 

[Melydia Gold]

"I'll do it!"

Melydia was enthusiastic to go ahead, the ground giving off gentle click clacks of her boots, interrupted every so often by the buzz of wings as she took a momentary flight. As she approached the stairs, she looked down the railing, peering down with a curious gaze at the source of light before pulling herself over the railing. They wanted to know what was down there, right? What better way to check than to go down herself?

Letting go of the rails, she enjoyed the rush of wind as she descended, reaching out in the Force to slow the progression just a hare. A few seconds later, her wings fluttered once more, turning the fall to a sort of haphazard glide before she grabbed hold of the railing once more to stop the fall entirely. Not a moment too soon, she realized, the light she was much closer to now producing an uncomfortable amount of heat. The stairs themselves were safe, from the looks of it, straying from the paved path would mean introducing limbs to magma (thank the force for her minor flightiness). The stairs did lead out into a much larger room, however, and Melydia could swear she saw movement within though be it beasties, droids, or something else, she wasn't certain.

Fluttering up a couple flights, she waved at the trio above, gesturing enthusiastically for them to follow before pressing a finger to her lip. Come along, but shh.

Arcturus Dinn | Alina Tremiru | Darth Arkanus ​