Private Into the lion's den

[Jenn Kryze]

No matter which way she tried to cut it, Jenn was unable to justify her current course of action to herself- from a strategic standpoint, anyway.

The Enclave was her home, a place filled with people she would put her life on the line for- something greater than herself that was worth fighting and dying for. And yet, here she was, driven by her honour to meet with someone whose very existence formed a threat to all that she held dear... as far as she was concerned, anyway. Inhaling deeply, the Mandalorian closed her eyes, and made her peace with the fact that she was going to walk into the lion's den to uphold the values of those who made her who she was. That these people were dead was irrelevant- the only thing that truly mattered was to get the beskar back to those it belonged to.

Reclaiming the hallowed metal of their ancestors was sacred work- in no small part due to her ritualistic belief that the will of those who wore it before lived on. Finding the actual next of kin proved to be a lot more difficult, however: the galaxy was a vast place, and her understanding of it severely limited. At least, Damsy Callat had the kindness to direct her towards her real destination after their little run-in: she would need to return the alloy to House Verd... and make no mention of the wayward Sithspawn to her father. So it was that Jenn Kryze stepped off her speeder bike, making her way towards the northern approach towards the seat of power of House Verd on Krant. Netra'yaim- a place with a foreboding name that left her wondering just how far into the mouth of danger her honour could drive her.

''I hope he's not a mind-reader. Can the Dar'jetii even do that?'' wondered the warrior aloud as she made her way through the gloom. It would take more than inauspicious terrain to stop a warrior like her!

Darth Metus

 

[Darth Metus]

Portraying: Sniffs, The Graug​

NETRA'YAIM - EXTERIOR

The Gloom was a region of fog, leading up to Netra'yaim.

Castle Black as it was called in the local tongue. Seat of the former Mandalorian family, House Verd. A lifetime ago, they had spent their days and nights in service to Mandalore. But, that service concluded when one Sole Ruler expunged all born of the Force. He gave them a choice - "cure" themselves of the Force or be exiled from the warrior culture. Following their alor, the House chose the latter. For it was better to depart from the regimes of Mandalore than change who they were.

On most days, their Home was quiet. The House's activities had waned over the years, with the alor's generation of heirs each going their own way. There were few of his children who chose to stay under his roof on a permanent basis. Even fewer were those who popped in momentarily. Yet all had a revolving door - even his estranged daughter Damsy Callat . He knew she stopped by every now and again to check on the beasts near the Underforge. And he would never stop her.

For if the Galaxy ever decided to bare its fangs against her, she'd have somewhere to fall back to.

This day in particular, the walls of Netra'yaim were being patrolled as usual. A handful of Graug soldiers, mingled with BX Commando Droids, took turns pacing the outermost wall. That is, until a disturbance approached through the Gloom. The outermost sensors detected a lone presence. Unexpected. Every now and again, a local got lost and the standing procedure was to turn them right back 'round. Thus, one of the smaller Graug, nicknamed Sniffs, got leaned over the side of the wall.

"Oi!" he said, flapping his arms enthusiastically. "You lost of sometin? This 'ere's private property. No tresspassin'!"

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

Those who used the Force made Jenn uncomfortable at best... and murderous at worse. In spite of her misgivings, however, she considered Damsy a friend- someone who, despite her status as Dar'manda, fought for something she could respect. The same could be said for Alina Tremiru , the first person to open her eyes to the complexity of those who dabbled in the dark side of the Force... and so it was that she found herself here, traversing the gloom with naught but her buy'ce to light the way. Ancient as her beskar'gam may be, it remained invaluable in such tasks.

Then, she found herself hailed by- well, an odd sort of guardian, for a lack of a better word. Unimpressed by the display (and the demands for her to clear off), Jenn cleared her throat and spoke with all the gravity required for her task. ''I am precisely where I need to be. I have come to return what belongs to House Verd!'' proclaimed the warrior with the same confidence she applied to her every mission. ''Let me pass, that I may do so.''

And her tone suffered no denial indeed.

Darth Metus

 

[Darth Metus]

Portraying: Sniffs, The Graug​

NETRA'YAIM - EXTERIOR

The Graug exchanged a confused glance.

Typically speaking, if Netra'yaim was expecting any visitors, the guardsman would be notified. Specifically, the Droids would receive a manifest of inbound traffic and respond accordingly. The Graug...well, they were muscle and acted as such. As a result, whilst the behemoths were scratching their heads about what to do, one of the Commando droids sent a missive inside. In but a few moments, they received a quick response. Sniffs was made aware in short order.

"Right! So. Uhh...Gate's openin', don't try nuffin' funny!" The Graug then descended down the multitude of stairs whilst machinery whirred in the background. The way was open - and the traveler would find herself staring down Sniffs and a pair of BX Commandos as her escort inside. "Yous one of them Mandy folks, yeah? Always wondered what ya armor tastes like, bahaha!"

Sniffs clearly thought he was clever. He was not.

"C'mon then, Master's waitin'."

The voyage inside Netra'yaim would not take long at all. There were a few gates to move through, culminating with a towering set of dual doors. Both were pushed aside by another pair of Graug - each of which towered over the man-sized Sniff. This revealed a well-light hall, adorned with a long crimson carpet spanning its length. On either side were torch scones, and suits of beskar'gam up on display. Footsteps could be heard echoing on the far side of the hall.

Isley stepped forth to receive this unexpected guest. He was garbed in civilian clothes - specifically denim pants and a comfortable tee - and was armed solely with the lightsaber which hung from his waist. Seeing the armored form, his gaze immediately fell to her pauldron, as if looking for something. "We certainly don't receive many vod visitors these days." he remarked simply. "Welcome to Netra'yaim."

"Milord, this un' got something that's yours."

Isley's sulfuric gaze met the woman's T-visor. "Is that so?"

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

And so it was that the gate opened, and Jenn Kryze, the most foolish Mando in the galaxy, was led inside Netra'yaim by the odd, empty-headed gatekeeper and a pair of commando droids. If this turned out to be an ambush, she was confident she could handle them - but, then again, she was very much aware of the complete rift in power between Damsy's father and herself. She remained quiet in the face of Sniffs' comment, rolling her eyes behind her helmet. What finally broke her concentration, however... was the glorious sight of beskar'gam , illuminated by torches. A rustic choice, to be sure, but then again, the power wielded by the owner of the house meant he could do whatever he damn well pleased.

Speaking of the devil... she soon found herself faced with the man himself. His reputation preceded him, and even a clueless wanderer such as Jenn could tell that he was far, far more powerful than his casual appearance let on: then again, she had not exactly announced her arrival. In the face of his words, the Mandalorian merely inclined her head, quiet and courteous indeed. His gaze was enough for her to realize that she was stepping upon dangerous ground: her hands moved towards the satchel at her side, far more slowly than necessary- the last thing she wanted was for him to believe that she was reaching for her blaster.

She pulled the rather sizable bounty of beskar from the satchel, her palms turned upwards as she presented it to Darth Metus , treating the whole process rather... ceremonially. ''I could not save the beskar'gam itself, but those who looted the armour of one of your own paid the price. I sought to return what remains to their next of kin- and, when I failed to identify them... to their house.'' Best keep under wraps that it was Damsy who told her where to go.

 

[Darth Metus]

NETRA'YAIM - INTERIOR

Isley's eyebrow raised.

Upon stepping in front of his Mandalorian visitor, he was met by courtesy. A polite decline of her head in greeting. Isley returned the gesture in turn and watched, with utmost curiosity, as the warrior reached for her satchel. A miniscule part of him wondered if this was some sort of delivery from his deceased mentor. Tools, or remnants of projects long since abandoned for him to continue in her memory. However, what his gaze soon found was indeed memorable. But it had nothing to do with his former Master.

It had everything to do with his family.

Silently, Isley took the first piece of beskar into his hands and turned it over. It had been...years since he had handled a piece of his former people's precious metal. Their society relied so heavily upon this fabled material. Hell, it had been the backbone of their resistance of the first Sith Empire for decades. Those were the days. he thought. This bounty had not come without consequence. Without loss. A member of his House had perished and the ingots were crafted from their armor.

A solumn sigh fell from the man's lips.

"I owe you a debt of gratitude, vod." he began. "Not only did you avenge my dead. You returned their beskar home. Most these days would have made off with the metal for their own purposes. Come. I will not see your efforts left without reward."

Isley turned and began walking towards the interior of Netra'yaim. It was clear that he was not asking. In fact, he continued speaking to her as he stepped.

"What shall I call you, oh avenger mine?"​

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

The woman simply observed Darth Metus as he held the beskar of his kin, patiently waiting for his reaction. The sigh that escaped his lips evoked feelings she knew all too well- and the fact that she sympathized with someone she had regarded with suspicion ever since she first heard of him did not particularly bother her in that instant. Loss was something she had grown all too familiar with, and she knew better than to doubt the truthfulness of the man's feelings about the matter.

''Think nothing of it'', she answered with a nod. ''I only did my duty. The departed deserve respect.'' Humble as her words were, she truly did believe them- the allegiance of the dead mattered little to her, beyond the fact that they were Mandalorian. Beskar'gam returned to a grieving family was the least a warrior could do in such dark times, and she intended to follow her honour to the end. When a reward was mentioned, however, she paused: struggling to find a way to politely inform the head of House Verd that she had not performed the deed out of a desire for a reward, she soon realized that he was not merely offering a reward, but telling her to follow him.

Knowing better than to antagonize him, the Nite Owl hurried after her host, slowly turning to face him as they walked. ''I am Jenn Kryze.''
There was a great deal of pride in her voice- for she loved the legacy of her noble line more than she did life.

 

[Darth Metus]

NETRA'YAIM - INTERIOR

Think nothing of it.​

​

Ah, this one knew of humility. That was refreshing. A lifetime ago, their people had been known to be the most fiery in the Galaxy. And frankly, Isley could not blame anyone for receiving that perception. Whilst honor was certainly their foundation, passion (and a touch of arrogance) defined many of them. Yet this one was different. She did not merely stand upon honor, she embodied it.​

​

She had made a good impression without even knowing it.​

​

"Imagine how the Galaxy could be if more believed as you." he remarked absently as he began to stride into Netra'yaim. And as he stepped, she answered his question. Kryze. The sable-skinned man chuckled aloud. "Ahh, yes, Clan Kryze. It's been decades." He shook his head slightly. "You'd be too young to recall - but your old alor, back when the Clans held Manda'yaim proper."​

​

"A voice of reason that once was. Even when the Alor'e Council was throwing sticks at each other. Can't tell you the amount of times he stepped in." He chuckled at the memory all the more. "I can see where your honor came from. Kryze are good stock."​

​

As he mused about the past and what he knew of her kin, Isley stopped before one suit of beskar'gam in particular. He reached for the scone and gave it a tug - which in turn encouraged the wall to part. What foreboding fortress wasn't complete without secret passages? Within there was traditional, modern lighting. The walls and floor were all composed of highly polished metal. And lining damn near every surface were weapons. From swords to the latest rifle from Blas-Tech.​

​

"For your trouble, I'd imagine a new tool for your arsenal and a decent meal would be fitting compensation. Would this be acceptable?"​

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

The Nite Owl remained silent at first, taking in his words quietly. The clan he spoke of was but a distant memory to her now- a family of families, honourable and true... scattered to the winds, inexistent as a greater entity. There were many things she wished to say- that she was once a foundling, that she ignored much of Mandalorian politics before the betrayal they suffered, that his words reminded her of his daughter... but she struggled to formulate these ideas eloquently and politely, and so she abstained for now. From what little she understood, House Verd had decided to put family before the Resol'nare- and Damsy still upheld these ideals, no matter how far divorced she was from the affairs of Netra'yaim.

''Your words honor me'', thanked the girl with a voice radiating with pride. ''I can only hope to see Clan Kryze made whole again, one day.''
She followed him through the secret passage without so much as voicing her wonder at such a stereotypical(ly wonderful) addition to the ominous castle that served as Isley's home... and found herself surrounded by a plethora of weapons, the Sith's words echoing in her mind. So much to choose indeed... but, in the end, she turned back towards him to deliver her response, even though every fibre of her being wanted to peruse the stash of weaponry for much, much longer. She already knew she wanted a melee weapon to equal her relentlessness.

''Yes'', confirmed the warrior with a nod. ''It would be acceptable indeed... and a generous offer.'' It was time for her to try and brave the awkwardness of the situation- explaining to a man who had proven to be a gracious host that she could not exactly accept his full hospitality. She visibly struggled to find the words: for the first time since her arrival upon the planet, she showed signs of her inability to properly deal with social encounters above a certain complexity. In the end, she gave up on trying to sound courteous, and went straight to the point.

''I cannot accept the latter part of your offer, however- and I mean no offense by refusing your hospitality. It is simply forbidden for me to ever remove my buy'ce within the presence of a living being. Such are the ways I was raised in- such are the ways I must uphold.'' The girl sounded rather firm in her declaration, but also... slightly apologetic.

Darth Metus

 

[Darth Metus]

NETRA'YAIM

I can only hope to see Clan Kryze made whole again, one day.

It seemed that even one of the most noble clans had been scattered on the winds. When Isley was a younger man, it seemed that the various clans and houses were perpetual monuments. Fixtures that could never be broken. Skirata. Vizsla. Vereen. Yet in this day and age, Isley could hardly recall when he saw hide or hair of any of those named.

Now, Isley had expected the young warrior to immediately dive into her "shopping spree." However, she turned to him. The way she began was clear - she was carefully choosing her words, before coming out with it. The end result was an amused chuckle from the sable-skinned warrior. "Ah, you were raised in the old old ways eh?" He shook his head, grinning. "Fair enough, I'll have a meal prepared to go for you to enjoy at your leisure."

He turned his gaze away from her momentarily, setting them upon a camera in the far corner of the room. "Hear that? Get cooking!" he called. Whomever was watching would no doubt obey as quickly as possible.

Isley then motioned towards the array of weapons.

"There's quite a bit to pick through here, so let me help find something that will uniquely suit you. For starters, are you adverse to the Force or no?"​

Jenn Kryze​

 

[Jenn Kryze]

The man's reaction was unexpected- and it showed. The girl had gotten used to the odd looks and judgemental glares from vod and aruetti alike by now, painfully aware that the old ways guiding her actions were seen as backwards. ''I appreciate your understanding'', let out the warrior with a sigh of relief. ''It is a rarity, even among our people.'' There was no doubt in her mind, even for a second, that the man standing before her was anything else but Mandalorian.

''Averse is a strong word'', spoke the woman with a cant of her head, turning back towards the weapons arrayed before her with great interest. ''But those who wield the Force are fearsome foes, and I need a way to dispatch them before they overpower me with it.'' She paused at that, turning towards him briefly. ''I bow to your experience in that matter.''

Darth Metus

 

[Darth Metus]

"Doing the right thing is so rare nowadays." he said, agreeing. A light chuckle then played at his lips. "If you'll satiate my curiosity - I assume you are Codex and not Crusader, correct?"

The divide between philosophies was one he had to parse during his younger years. It was one that, he assumed, yet plagued the Mandalorian people. Perhaps not so much as it used to.

When it came to the subject of her reward, the young Kryze was not exactly averse to the force. But she had a healthy respect for how fearsome they were. If more thought like her, the Mandalorian Empire of old would have had an army of forceful warriors at its disposal. Instead...House Verd was in exile.

Isley tapped his chin for a moment, thoughtfully.

"My old mentor used to say: 'AoE, AoE, AoE, and don't forget, AoE' when it came to fighting Jedi. Anything to throw them off their balance. Us Forceful have evolved past Ysalamir and Void Stone, so you'll need to go the old fashion route."

He motioned towards the easternmost rack, where a series of miniature rockets were located. "I'd suggest a salvo of Brilliant missiles. Made by Arakyd Industries. They're smart, you can control them with your HUD, and if you fire mor than one you can overwhelm a Jedi with ease."

Jenn Kryze​