Hush

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Jane Lilley"]

First blow struck true, a disappointing show of defence from the student. However, her recovery was mildly admirable. A determination crept into Darth Ophidia's mind with the indication that she should end this. Not in death of course, but knock the student down to the point where she could not get back up today. She felt like she had seen enough.

That was when Jane changed grip on her weapon and launched her new attack. Ophidia brought her blade in for a parry, winding her body up like a spring to launch the counter-attack. then a flicker in the side of her eye.

She quickly took a step to the side as Jane's real attack came in. Her right hand slipped up along the weapon to bring it into a defensive position and she just barely managed to place her staff in the path. It was not every day she was forced on the defensive by a feint. A smile curled up along her lip as she took two big steps back, swinging the stick to her opposite hip and gripping it there as though having sheathed it.

Even then, her motions looked effortless.

"That is enough for today."

She watched how Jane held the weapon now. It was a different weapon entirely and she seemed far more comfortable with it than previous iterations. Now she knew exactly where to take this acolyte.

"Pack your bags, take care of your wounds." "We leave at daybreak tomorrow."

 

[Darth Morrow]

With no more or less than a nod and polite bow, the girl turned to place the weapon back on the rack, afterward she made way to the dorms and began to gather her things.

She had nothing to take besides her saber, a few knives, and a few changes of clothes, no memories or anything else were left behind her, because she had none to keep. After her small bag was packed she slept for the evening and rose early enough to catch the first glimpse of dawn over the horizon, sitting on a pavilion near the field where they had played the game yesterday.

Jane thought to herself about what this may mean for her, though one thing for sure was that she couldn't mess this last chance up. There was nothing else left.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

In the morning, while the sun rose, Darth Ophidia was nowhere to be seen. The fields and the pavilion were quiet, even a little cold as the sky transitioned slowly from its midnight blue and black, through deep purples, to pink and orange, and finally gold. As the sun finally detached itself from the horizon, a voice piped up from behind the Acolyte.

Again, not the voice of the woman from the day before. No, this was.. Different.

"Ahem!"

But there was no one around.

Well, no one the size of a human. Behind her, on top of a small rock, stood a mouse. Well, not quite a mouse either, but mouse-like in stature and form. Sith Acolyte, Akito Koushou, also known as her toxic majesty, the mistress of maladies, the monster of moraband, the eyes and ears of Darth Ophidia herself - All of which were titles she had given herself, of course.

"This way. Down here. There you go. Don't be afraid."

She put on her most important expression as she looked at the miniature datapad in her hands and compared her notes to what she could see. This must indeed be the person she was looking for. Her master was busy arranging things before the journey, so her assistant acolyte extraordinaire had taken the task to collect the new cargo.

"Acolyte [member="Jane Lilley"] I presume?"

 

[Darth Morrow]

As she heard the voice, the girl appreciated the sunset for another moment before turning to see the mouse, her eyebrow raising a bit in curiosity.

"I wouldn't say afraid, more curious." Jane peered over the creature in hidden fascination, brushing her bangs aside to get a better view. Her amber eyes scanned over the small mouse as if it were some sort of lost ancient relic.

As she stared the sun behind her colored the edges of her frame, her dark hair decorated with flits of bright yellow and orange, her eyes comparably just as bright. On her back rested her small bag of belongings, meanwhile her assortment of weapons rested on her belt. An odd looking light saber hilt, open on both sides, an array or small sharpened daggers and knives, and a cloak resting over her arm.

Her travel apparel looked rather simple compared to the beautiful clothing she usually wore about the academy, now only a dirty top and some baggy pants and boots.

"Pleasure to meet you..." She left a moment open for the mouse to introduce herself, and after a moment of complete silence, or a mutual introduction, she would reply. "I am her."

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Betterthanthou"

-Akito said, quickly, but convincingly. She wasn't lying either. It was a name she went by and one her master sometimes called her by. Nezumi went by many names, depending on their situation and company. In this specific event, she found this name to be the most apt.

"Alright, then please come this way."

Akito swung the elongated metal stick in her hand onto her shoulder. It looked like a tiny - but not as tiny as her - lightsabre hilt, but surely the technology could not be miniaturised to such a degree? Well that is where one would be long. As she leaned her weapon on her hilt, the mouse jumped into the air, setting off the jetpack on her back and flying several meters ahead before landing again.

"Come on, then." "She won't be happy if you're late."

Another jump, the tiny jetpack sent the mouse flying. With each jump she brought Jane closer and closer to the Academy's landing dock. There was a ship, not a shuttle. It was long and sleek in shape, with visible marks of age. It did not match typical Imperial design. A tall, humanoid droid, whose footfalls were dampened by a pair of Legionarie boots, carried a crate into the ship and disappeared into the darkened interior. Off the side of the ship stood the cloaked figure of Darth Ophidia, conversing with a blue-skinned, female cyborg who threw a glance over at the pair of Jane and Akito.

The Chiss bowed respectfully in front of Ophidia, then turned and left with quick strides.

"Acolyte Koushou, Acolyte Lilley."

Ophidia had not yet turned to face them, but did so slowly as she put the lid on a plastic tube.

[member="Jane Lilley"]

 

[Darth Morrow]

Better-than-thou

The thought crossed her mind and her eye shifted slightly as it processed. So much for the friendly, equal standing approach.

Following quickly behind the girl kept up with the small mouse flying its way across the walkways. Sack slung over her shoulder and her knives clinking quietly with every step. She hadn't expected this mouse to be her guide, and at this point she really didn't care fully. Jane was getting off this rock, and perhaps she wouldn't have to come back.

As they approached the ship, Jane stared in a moment of hidden awe. It had been awhile since she had seen a ship, and even a longer time since she had been on one. Thought the moment was cut off when she heard Darth Ophidia mention her name.

Her attention shifted and she turned to face her new master. Bowing her head slightly, her eyes followed the tube, then looked to Ophidia's face, her bright amber eyes attentive and focused, waiting for further instruction.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Betterthanthou, help Darling prepare the ship." "On it, Master."

The mouse rocketed off towards the ship and ended in a little flip before touching down on the ramp. She threw a glance back at Jane, face full of smugness, before running inside the ship itself to help the droid.

"Magnificent, isn't she? The Phasma."

Ophidia threw a glance over her shoulder at the Phasma-Class Infiltrator. Not many of her kind were ever built, and years before the Empire was built. Ophidia had collected the remaining ones on behalf of the Sith Assassins. They were old, but fast, and cloaked. The one she had there was the first one she had been given when she was just a Sith Acolyte in the One Sith. Why, she had taken it the day Malif Cove was raided by the Jedi Order. While not sentimentally attached, Ophidia enjoyed an item that fulfilled its purpose to its utmost capacity. One day, she would have to change her out, but not yet.

"Go, there is a space for your things on the right hand side. Do not go to the left, that is mine." "You will share cabin with Akito for the journey."

As Ophidia gestured for Jane to enter, the tall droid came lurching out. He stepped out of the way for Jane, but the space was fairly cramped. Darling, the piloting droid, spoke in the oddest dialect of binary. It sounded distinctly different, and Ophidia answered it in a language Jane would likely not understand. Not yet, anyway.

[member="Jane Lilley"]

 

[Darth Morrow]

"Its very Impressive." Jane answered quietly, admiring the build of the ship. Perhaps one day she would be lucky enough to have one of her own, not the exact ship, though really any ship in general.

While Jane wasn't smug towards Akito, there was still that rivalry building. A small mouse could never hold against anything, especially not Jane. It would be but a moment before the girl snapped herself out of this state, jealous of a mouse, that was one to remember. Snapped out of her subconscious thought by the voice of Ophedia, the yellow eyes peered back to her master.

"Yes, of course, thank you." Her response was clearly slightly dazed, her mind refocusing on the subject at hand. With the gesturing hand, the girl climbed onto the ship, bag still behind as she turned to the right and made way into the shared cabin, setting down her things as she stepped in. This was going to be interesting.

[member="Darth Ophidia"]