Faction Jungle Journey [There & Back Again]

[Naedira Darcrath]

Location: Vylmira [Space Port -> To Great Temple]
Objective: Acclimate. Use the time she has left...Wisely.
Tag: Alkor Centaris | Gerwald Lechner Redd Vytal Noctura Asaraa Vaashe | Kyyrk | The Monster [OPEN]

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She could feel it like little lines of ants walking crawling around translucent skin. In a state where she could feel neither hot, nor cold, she could feel people talking about her. A faint buzzing in the back of her mind. Chestnut eyes, flecked with topaz, swept the ground while her cheeks flushed. All of the attention had her feeling off-kilter. What she remembered of her life spoke of one of duty. Naedira remembered, somewhat, being a Knight Obsidian. She recalled duty. She did not recall everyone whispering about her like this. Looking at her.

Looking through her.

Intelligent eyes followed the ring that Alkor lifted. She didn’t understand. Watching it pass from his hand almost bothered here, and yet, if she never saw the ring again it would be too soon. Her lips pressed flat. If this was what she wanted? She had no say. The ghostly creature couldn’t hide in his shadow forever. Time had continued on for everyone—But to her?

Alkor was still the Knight Commander. She was still on Thyferra. Somewhere that none of them had been in a very, very long time. It would be an adjustment period. The man that she always stood dutifully beside brought her attention back to the present. His words were dour. Familiar. “I made a choice…It was my choice…”, she uttered, swallowing a flinch, when she recalled bits and pieces of the ramifications of her decision.

A weaker individual would have screamed. Openly. Wept. Railed against it—Claimed it wasn’t true. Naedira only had acceptance. She knew that Alkor blamed his choices. She could feel it in the air. She had always, always felt it. But the truth?

She’d been the one to decide to die. She’d been the one to decide it was the only way to spare her fellow Knights. To keep the Fortressa from plunging out of the sky while a Mountain of a Sith rolled through it like a rampaging Zillow beast. There was no hope of winning. Never had been. But, that hadn't been the goal. Hesitant eyes raised toward Kyyrk and Vytal Noctura . She was uncertain who would choose to bear her as a burden. “…Please don’t drop me….”

She paused. It was the softest plea, made from past experience. The specter shifted uncomfortably as if somehow, it pained her to make the request. To admit further weakness, failure, aside from being dead. Was there any failure more final?

“It hurts. Makes it harder to... Stay.”

Voph was the one to accept that which she was tethered to. Her shoulders slowly seemed to lose some of the tension. He placed her away, safe, and Naedira could only watch. He was filled with a quiet confidence but there was something else. The Mirkalukan wanted this over. Not for the first time, the Knight pondered the dangers that presented themselves. Vylmira might have the power to create a new form for her. What else did it have the power to do?

Gerwald denied what she’d cautioned against and the ghost fell quiet. Naedira wanted to remember him. Just as much as she wanted to remember Alkor. She knew him more than most because of his constant presence to the tether, but, she couldn’t help but feel as if she had missed something important. The way he watched her ghost…

It hurt to look at him.

“Nice to meet you Redd…”, she spoke, pressing a tired smile to pale lips, cracked and dry. It was strange that she seemed to deteriorate. Her cheeks were sunken and her skin seemed to be made of pale tissue paper. The weaker her spirit grew; the more it could be seen in her manifestation.

The trek to the Great Temple began.

Naedira followed them in earnest. Vylmira was full of things. Colors, that her eyes had forgotten. Her expression had all but crumbled. How could there be so many colors? All she saw was darkness. The endless, swirling black, that had no end. No beginning. It simply spread on forever. Her arms crossed just beneath her bust and she steeled her features. They were all here, by some miracle, to set her free. If they could do this?

She could do this. She would do this. She wouldn’t give in.

No matter how the darkness called.

 

[BNI-Bella and BNI-Leo]

Location: Vylmira
Tag: Rabbit | Vyse de Valorous
Goal: T R E A S U R E
Something wicked / / this way hopped.​

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BNI-9001 was determined to make the Tall Human suffer for their audacity. But, BNI-9000 cautioned his patience. He glowered and the red light that emanated dimly from his singular photoreceptor seemed to add to his rather sour disposition. Leo minded the fact that Bella was trying to help him up and despite his need to give the rude female his very masculine and impressive middle finger—His partner was more important. Just when he was about to stand his center of gravity shifted and up, up, and away he went.

The squealing rang and echoed in his chassis and his singular optic flared.

“UNHAND ME TALL HUMAN!”

Leo squirmed and kicked his little legs to no avail. He couldn’t really reach his attacker that seemed like she might start making kissy faces at him. What was she doing? Hadn’t she ever seen a rabbit unit before? He bristled even further at being called cute. “I am a BNI-9001. I am a rabbit assassin! Tremble before me! Quake with fear!”

Not, cute.

Bella stood with one paw covering where her mouth would have been. If she had one. A high-pitched sound escaped her, similar to squeaking, and it would soon be apparent that she was laughing from her vocabulator. “Nine-One. It’s okay!”

Leo slowly stopped struggling and slowly crossed his little arms as much as he could. “Bad. Human. Why do you touch things that do not belong to you? We belong to the Mistress!”

A solid, moody, pout.

“We are property of the Mistress.”

Bella hopped up to the, indeed, tall human and reached out to gently pull on her pant leg. “You may want to put down Nine-One. He may get angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.”, the blue-hued rabbit reached up and tapped the lens of her photoreceptor. It should tip the woman off that there might be a weapon of some kind. Especially, since she was holding Leo less than a foot from her face.

The BNI unit paused. She didn’t turn around, but her head did, like a praying mantis.

“Intruder alert! On our six!”

The seemingly sweet rabbit began to charge her eye-canon—Looking directly at Vyse de Valorous .

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[Alkor Centaris]

The pieces fit together, but they were fragile.

Alkor left the Knights Obsidian, but traces of his influence remained. For the mistakes of the past to be corrected, all traces of him had to be excised. Voph was the new leader, Vytal and Gerwald newly elevated masters. Their leadership was the future, and the foundation would be lain in the coming moments.

He bore the weight of Naedira's tragedy in secret until they had an answer. As they strode toward that Temple, the weight lifted and he gave the life of the Knight into the hands of her peers. Together, they would return her to the world of the living.

Together, they would forge stronger bonds, and rise from the ashes as a better Knights Obsidian. Alkor had been watching. Alkor had been waiting.

Because Alkor could see and feel things that others could not.

This was the moment most pivotal. He could have chosen to lead, and their faith in him may have been renewed. Instead, he chose to destroy that past. He chose to give them a new future- one without him.

That was where his focus lay. Now, it was done.

His duty to Naedira was complete. With that, Alkor closed a chapter of his life. It began when Isley brought him into the Verd Clan. Isley told him to learn about family, and his place in it.

Naedira inadvertently became a part of his life. The experiences she created taught him. The guilt he felt gave him newfound understanding.

It was a useless emotion, and one he could cast aside.

The ring passed to Voph, and with it, the complications a Jen'jidai took upon himself in order to learn. Now, he was unfettered. He could step out of the flames.

The Knights were reborn, and so was Alkor.

"Lead on," he told Kyyrk as the flora thickened and barred the path forward. "And in this task, I will stand at your side. Not as a Knight..."

He adjusted his cloak so that his arm fell free, and each step he took sent the fabric billowing outward behind him. Alkor was a jet black stain in the daylight of Vylmira, the brazen, gilded accents of his attire like streaks of light in an abyss. "...but as a Confederate who seeks to see you thrive."

Alkor did spare a glance to Gerwald Lechner now that the deed was done. "Soon," he repeated the sentiment quietly, knowingly. All of Gerwald's patience had culminated into this moment, and it would be tested from this point on.


Naedira Darcrath | Redd | Vytal Noctura | Asaraa Vaashe | The Monster

 

[The Monster]

Sergei would follow behind the group silently. He listened to people speak to each other, but didn't know what they spoke of and so decided that silence would be best. He kept himself in the rear of the group, forming a quiet rear guard and keeping his wits about him as he constantly scanned around him. The soldier would be constantly on watch, absorbing and processing every detail, every sound that went into his helmet as the surroundings would speak to him. The wildlife and flora telling him that this place was relatively untouched, and that they were going to a place that most, if not all would prefer to avoid. The place itself was something of a reminder of his travels abroad gathering and training his new soldiers, the jungles reminding him of a trip he'd taken outside confederacy space. The place had been nice, the people welcoming, but he still didn't trust any of the corporate or government types there. Not after what he'd seen.

However Sergei keep his watch, silently staying alert at the back of the group, observing, knowing that it would probably not be his place to speak since they all clearly knew each other. His hairs on the back of his neck would start standing on end the closer they got to the temple. Something wasn't right. Sergei didn't know what it was, but he knew something was off. Probably some of that space magic these people were so keen on.

Tag: Naedira Darcrath | Redd | Vytal Noctura | Asaraa Vaashe | Alkor Centaris | Kyyrk

 

[Rabbit]

Rabbit watched the little droid struggle and protest, practically dying of admiration and adorableness. That's it. She decided right then and there that she would die for these droids. They were precious. Too precious for this world. Part of her wanted to take them apart and see exactly how they worked, but she didn't want to do that to these poor droids. They were too cute.

When the little droid tugged on her pants, she glanced down, and got the hint. Oh, they had weapons, too? They were so fascinating! She wanted to know everything there was to know about them! Who made them? Who was the Mistress? How could she get her own?

She didn't like it, but Rabbit put Leo down.

"What are you guys doing here? You wanna help me find some treasure? I don't really know what I'm looking for, just where I'm supposed to go-"

Intruder?! Her eyes followed the other droid, and she clumsily pulled her blaster pistol, aiming it in the same general direction.

"H-Hey! Careful there! I have a blaster! And uh, I know how to use it! Mostly!"


BNI-Bella and BNI-Leo | Vyse de Valorous

 

[Redd]

WOLF
Tags: Gerwald Lechner | Naedira Darcrath | Alkor Centaris | Kyyrk | Vytal Noctura | Asaraa Vaashe | The Monster

Redd simply huffed as Gerwald scolded her, not that she really decided to acknowledge why she had been scolded. As far as she had been concerned, the onlooker shouldn’t have been eying off the group. Golden eyes appraised their group the moment that Gerwald introduced her to them and she glanced to the side, before the ghost acknowledged her. Her head cantered to the right for a moment and suddenly let out a short bark, of which she hoped that the ghost would take as her own greeting towards the other. Sometimes communicating could be a little frustrating while in this form, but it was also her preferred form. However, she was also more useful in this form than any other, more familiar in the way that she moved and so as the group continued, her ears perked up the moment that the undergrowth of a jungle was mentioned.

Finally! Something that she might enjoy and her golden eyes traced back over towards Gerwald who appeared to be shifting without shredding the items themselves. It was magic, magic that she didn’t quite understand, or was it some power situated within the force that gave the armour the power to not be shredded upon shifting? Whether it be the force or some witch magic, she couldn’t help but think to herself that Gerwald was now just showing off. Show off, but it was impressive. Not that she actually cared much for clothing. A secret that Gerwald knew, but was trying to curb the habit of. It was now to the point where she would remember to put clothes on, but with great reluctance.

She hesitated, before she padded over to Gerwald. Redd gently rubbed her red fur against him in a warmer greeting and then trotted off. Her paws took her past each member of their group and as they did, her fur lightly brushed against each one of them in a semi greeting. This was so then even if they did suddenly say some kind of greeting towards her, then it had already, in her eyes, been met with one of her own. Upon passing Voph just as they got to the outskirts of the jungle, her fur brushed against him as well before she peeled off from the group. Fertile soil was felt under the pads of her paws and she felt the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the trees.

The wolf was suddenly within her element and she felt as if a burden was lifted once more. Her red form disappeared amongst the treeline as she listened to the surrounding area with the utmost attention. It would be so easy to get lost in the thrill of being surrounded by the untamed environment. Beautiful sites were often misleading and the seemingly weak and helpless animal, could turn out to be deadly. It was lessons that she had not forgotten since her pup days amongst her now dead pack.

It was simply ironic, at least that was what she thought as she paused by a tree to watch the group she was with to pass by, that she was here to help Gerwald and the Knight’s bring back someone from the dead. Yet, when she had been a pup, she had been taught to respect the laws of nature and here they were about to cross those laws and she wasn’t even doing it for her old pack, not that she thought that she could, but for someone she didn’t even know. Although her role, from what she gathered, was simply to provide backup, anything else was left to the two-leggers. Slowly, she began to walk through the undergrowth, through the shadows of the jungle and to the side of the group. Paws no longer touched dirt, but rather used the foliage to her advantage so then not to leave a mark upon the fertile earth.

The red wolf was, within her right, a hunter.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

Location: Vylmira [en route to the temple]
Objective: Revive a loved one
Tag: Naedira Darcrath | Alkor Centaris | Redd | Asaraa Vaashe | Vytal Noctura | Kyyrk | The Monster

It was a heavy sigh which escaped Gerwald's lips as his eyes caught the look on the ghost of Naedira Darcrath. She did not truly remember him, though she looked as though she should. While he could not feel her through their bond because of the plane she existed on, Gerwald was still adept at reading her expressions. Before her death they were friends, close friends. Sometimes he pretended she could not know what he was thinking just to hear her call him a liar. There was a small smirk which tugged at his face before his smile faded once more.​

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She was hurting. Struggling. Fadding.​

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Eyes moved to look at the man who had become his mentor, a master of sorts. Alkor Centaris had been carrying a burden he had once offered to Gerwald as a test. There were times Gerwald wished he had taken it, but he also understood the grief the seasoned Dark Jedi had been trying to keep Gerwald from. The weight of his promise to see Naedira live again was enough. Alkor had both vowed to see her live, and carried her until they could find a way. They were here now, and while Gerwald looked as though he would cry, or pass out from sleep deprivation, the Master Obsidian was happy.​

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"Soon."​

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The word and glance from Alkor lingered in his mind as he shifted. Naedira's pain was something Gerwald understood, but he also knew if he were going to make it through to completion of the mission, he needed to rest. The human mind needed to be put aside for the moment. His wolf would be much more carefree.​

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And it was.​

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Gerwald could smell the foliage, the oxygen which rose from the soil, and hear the sounds every creature made as they neared the jungle. It was invigorating. Nature made him feel alive, as did combat. Life as a master had left him longing for the days when he spent more time as a foot soldier than planning the incursions. For a brief moment he could feel the urge to run and to hunt. It was interrupted by the presence of the other wolf, his squire. She needed to always remember that no matter the feelings he may or may not have for others, their bond was shared in what they were. This was something they shared that one else would ever fully understand. Gerwald did not need a lupine mate to be happy, but he would always need the sense of having a pack. Redd was part of his, as awkward as it was becoming. He returned her gesture before the red wolf bounded off, hoping she would understand.​

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A wolfish grin pulled at his snout as Gerwald finally pulled himself out of the blaisse feeling his lack of sleep had left him in. The Jedi with pink hair was among them, with the nightmother. Her light was different than the auras and the feelings he perceived from the others. It was enough to pull him toward her. WIth his tail wagging, Gerwald approached and brushed his head along her leg. He looked up to her and barked. With that he bounded ahead into the jungle, keeping his focus on the others for a time as he ran ahead and back to the group.​

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After some time of playing, the wolf settled in stride with the ghost. Even as a hound his loyalty and desire to protect remained strong. The wolf did not forget his promise.​

 

[Kyyrk]

Tags: Alkor Centaris | Redd | Gerwald Lechner | Naedira Darcrath | Vytal Noctura

Voph did not say much as he turned to take the lead, but rather nodded silently to the ghost of Naedera as he took the ring to which she was bound. He would protect it with his life. Voph led them towards the jungle, pausing at the threshold as the wolves sprinted off into the undergrowth. Voph smiled thinly at their excitement. Oh, to be home and free. Voph sighed quietly, and struck out into the undergrowth himself, leading the way into the winding path that led to the temple. Perhaps not the most direct route, but the easiest. It was a way that the Hunters had shown him when the planet had been saved half a decade ago.

If anything was waiting for them in the temple, this route would help them avoid detection the longest.

As they walked, Voph’s brow furrowed. That itch he’d felt was growing stronger. For a moment, he thought it might have been the temple. But as he turned to survey the land behind him, he knew it was something else. His lightsaber flew to his hand, though he did not activate it just yet, and he announced what he was sure the wolves would have already noticed. ”We’re being followed. They are almost upon us. Get ready.”

 

[Vyse de Valorous]

Tag: BNI-Bella and BNI-Leo Rabbit
Goal: Treasure Hunting
Gear: BAW-88 Blaster Carbine, CSP “Sidekick” Charric Sidearm, Echoy'lii Shuk'orok (Echoy'lan Crushgaunts), Lightsaber, Squire Robes.

Vyse's smile instantly disappeared from his face as his exit had been noticed. Internally swearing, he was thankful at least he had the cover of the foliage of the wild jungle. He carefully went for his blaster, not trusting in his skills with a lightsaber yet. But then he then heard her "threaten" him, instantly causing him to sigh in relief as he assumed that said person was now of little threat. Well, as little threat a someone with a blaster can be.

"Hold! I intend you no harm. I am simply a visitor heading to the Great Temple." Vyse said giving away his position partly as he spoke with a calm tone. Seeing as these people were seemingly not killers, saying the truth was likely the best option. Thinking the odds were very low that they would just gun someone down in cold blood. Extra so after a threat like that.

"Where are you heading?" Vyse said extending the conversation, trying to calm the situation down.

 

[Srina Talon]

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Location: Acanthus School Campus [Vylmira]
Tag: Eira Talon

The days had grown long since Atrisia. Not everything was as it should be—But Srina did her best to ensure that she spent time with her youngest sibling. There were times when her interference in the young woman’s life could have been brushed off as irritation. There was something about being told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it that was simply grating. Srina knew it all too well. Many, many moons ago, she had been where Eira was now.

She wondered idly if Eira would ever miss the particular sort of nagging their mother was so fond of.

Srina did. Each—And every day.

“One of the conditions that Naneth insisted on was your continued education. There are plenty of schooling opportunities available in the Confederacy that focus on different aspects of learning.”

The white-haired duo, for once, didn’t really seem to be out of place. They didn’t wear blindfolds or hide their lack of sight like some of the citizens, but, everyone seemed very in tune with themselves. The Force seemed to weave through every gust of wind. Every blade of grass. It sang so high that Srina wondered if it would ever come back down to its source. In the interim? It simply waited. Potential.

“The Acanthus School on this planet offers a different view on the Force. They focus on balance without treading too deeply to one side or the other. My own training, for some time, leaned that way.”, Srina offered quietly, her tone bland, but still holding a focus for the topic at hand. She always had a vague chill about her that refused to dissipate. It wasn’t actual ice. Just a feeling. A soft aching that had settled deep in her bones. There was warmth. Somewhere. It was just very, very hard to find. “I can no longer offer you balance, however, you should choose vinimo. You have raw gifts. How would you like to shape them?”

A white cloak dragged the ground behind her, somehow, managing to stay pristine. Beneath that she wore a pale lavender traveling dress that had little silver metal scales running down her shoulders. Srina unintentionally wore the color of the Confederacy. Mostly, because the droid attendants had left it for her that morning. Today? She was only here to be with Eira Talon.

Her duties were forwarded to John Locke for the day. She could only imagine how he was likely cursing her name by this point. The holo-appointments and meetings simply didn’t stop. Ever. Especially, not since the Confederacy had taken a step back from the galactic stage. Everyone had questions. Concerns. Srina could only do her best to answer them one by one. Today, though, she would remain with her sister. Answer her questions. Take care of her.

Even if she did not wish it.

“I’ve arranged for a walkthrough. If you don’t like this location or program, I understand another Academy will be opening on Geonosis soon. It would be a lot closer.”

Srina frowned, briefly. Closer? Yes. Safer? No.

The closer they were—The less safe Eira would be.

 

[BNI-Bella and BNI-Leo]

Location: Vylmira
Tag: Rabbit | Vyse de Valorous
Goal: T R E A S U R E
Something wicked / / this way hopped.​

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Leo glowered unhappily at the organic bully that mocked him and held him so high from the ground. He stared. And glared. And stared. Then, just when she thought she was safe? He glared a little more for good measure. It was an epic stare down of massive proportions. Mean-Uncoordinated-Human Vs. Fear ME Bunny-Bot.

Clearly, BNI-9001 had every intention of winning.

And win he did. The red-hued rabbit hopped around triumphantly once the pale-skinned bag of flesh and all sorts of other goobily parts set him free. He began to cockily ghost box with himself, only pausing, when the woman mentioned treasure. Then, BNI-9000, his Bella, announced that they were not alone. The blue-hued droid would find herself shoved back behind the red-one and her eye-canon reflectively stopped charging. “Hey! Nine-One! You’re in my way!”

“This one—“, he jerked a paw back at Rabbit , “Wants to steal our treasure.”

The singular red photo-receptor landed on the new interloper and somehow, someway, the little droid almost seemed scary. There was power in the diminutive rabbit chassis. It was starting to glow. “And this one…This one INTERRUPTED my VICTORY LAP!”

Bella knew when Leo was about to blow a gasket. Or two. She wrapped stubby metal limbs around his shining chassis and linked her tiny paws together. The blue-hued rabbit, far more friendly than her counterpart, said a few things that neither human would hear. Or understand. Whatever it was seemed to work like magic and BNI-9001 powered down. “…Have it your way.”

“Thank you!”, Bella perked up and turned back toward the Tall Woman. She was aiming a blaster pistol at the wannabe intruder. He was pretty bad at it. Clearly, she needed to give them both a pass before one of them lost an eye. “Why are you visiting the Great Temple?”

“We are looking for treasure!”

Leo scowled. Well, he would have scowled, if he had a mouth to do so. Instead, he just crossed his arms and turned up his non-existent nose at the present company. Bella said he couldn’t put holes in them big enough to see daylight through. That didn’t mean he needed to be nice. Eesh, fleshbags.

Bella hopped a little bit forward and started to eye up the newcomer. “You don’t look that dangerous. Your threat level is laughably low…”, she mused aloud, before glancing back, taking in the sight of the gun-happy tall-lady. Her threat level was less. Together, all three of them, because she and Leo clearly counted as one, might have a chance.

“Why don’t we all go hunting together? Leo and I have a map!”

“BELLA!”

“Well we do.”

“Go on just tell it to every greedy organic in hearing distance you goody-two-bot.”

The blue-hued rabbits' ears went down. It was hard to say for certain, but, it seemed as if the red-rabbit had hurt the blue-rabbits feelings. The demeanor of Leo changed as he instantly seemed to regret it. “Look. I am sorry.”, by the bolts and oil baths that was hard to get out, “I didn’t mean it.”

Bella looked up. And then began to hop around the red-rabbit singing about their new friends, and their new plan, with tall-people, who could reach things on high shelves. They were very vertically challenged.

“Treasure, Treasure, falala—Treasure!”

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[Eira Talon]

Location: Acanthus School Campus [Vylmira]
Tag: Srina Talon

Everything was different now. Eira's grasp on the universe at large was nil on none. Her attention always sat heavily with her studies, and the fact that her sister now had a heavy hand in the policies around her-- well, it made the topic that much more uninteresting to the budding Talon girl. What time her sister had to dedicate to her promise, Eira took her up on without words. Training required action, not fluffy conversations on politics and 'how were your days'.

What bit of warmth the two had discovered in the hospital after that fateful day had dissipated out between them. Eira blindly blamed herself for Srina's change in availability. If she had not gotten involved on Artisia, Srina wouldn't have found reason to keep her at arms length. That's what this all was, wasn't it?

Up until Eira had messed up, Srina had had time for her. And now? Meetings and global affairs? They were excuses, Eira was sure of it. And so the younger Talon had grown quieter than ever before. There had been no conversation to set the story straight, Eira too afraid of her sister's change of heart to give it a chance. If someone had thought Eira had been non-communicative before, she was borderline mute now.

All it took was one word for Srina to withdraw her offer.

Of course, Eira had expected that to come in the form of sending her back home to their mother. Not sending her off to a far away boarding school.

Eira walked tight lipped next to her sister, her mood particularly tense. There was no questioning she was upset, one did not need to be an echani to see it in her body. She wrapped her arms around herself, her fingers glitching at the fabric of her blue cloak. It had been Srina's once, but clothing seemed to pass between the siblings easier than words.

"I don't like it," She whispered, her first words in days. They had barely arrived, but Eira had no intention of giving it a chance.

"I won't go."

 

[Asaraa Vaashe]

Location: Vylmira
Equipment: Nephil and Seraph | Angel's Dance | Claiomh Solais
Tagging: Vytal Noctura | Naedira Darcrath | The Monster | Gerwald Lechner | Rabbit | Kyyrk | Redd | Alkor Centaris​

“I’m not so sure of that.”

A pair of bright blue eyes swept over the group, watching the assembled personages slowly gathering, as if drawn together. Call it the will of the force, or personal choice, there was some kind of force that seemed to draw them together.

The Jedi had long railed against the idea that the force guided them, that it controlled her in anyway, that her actions were driven by anything apart from her own choices. The idea of having a hand on your shoulder, pushing and pulling at you was…well maybe not abhorrent to her, but difficult to stomach. It might have been running away from fate, from the truth but she had to believe in free will. She had to believe that your actions, and the responsibility for them were your own.

It was just, at times like this, it was hard to believe there wasn’t some greater power in action, driving them from behind the scenes.

“I think that maybe we all get so wrapped up in our want, in those thigns that drive us that we find ourselves locked into certain paths, certain ways of thinking. Sure, if you’re alive you can change, but how you see yourself, how you think of yourself can tie you down too. A Jedi has to act a certain way in order to continue to see themselves as a Jedi. A soldier has a certain way to act to maintain their image, a protector will always put themselves between others and danger. We all think of ourselves in so many ways, I wonder how much we can really change when it comes down to it? Or at least, how much we can change without changing who we are.”

But, that was why she was here in the first place wasn’t it? To figure out if she’d changed, or if she was still the same person as ever. To find out who she really was.

Apparently, she hadn’t changed all that much, the same curiosity that had always driven her had brought her here to this place, to this even. The same compassion that had led her to almost die at Azure left her wanting to see the ghost of that knight resurrected.

The young woman fell silent as she heard Voph start talking, setting out their plan of travel through the jungle to the temple.

Well, this really just felt like home.

 

[Vytal Noctura]

Vytal regarded Alkor Centaris as he retrieved the ring from about his neck. Her green gaze followed as it was transferred into Kyyrk 's possession. The Nightmother made no effort to snatch it from his grasp. Not because the man led the Knight, of whom the Mandragora were a part, but because she knew Voph. He could be entrusted not to do anything senselessly. Dangerous, certainly, but not without reason.

Redd was soon joined by Gerwald Lechner , as the two assumed the forms of wolves. A Nightsister could appreciate becoming closer with nature, though Vytal was not jealous of the art. Pom had enjoyed altering her own shape from time to time, and the Nightmother had dabbled in less substantial ones herself. Such a change did raise a few questions, however. Perhaps someday there would be time to ask under the right conditions.

"Those remembered most fiercely are never lost," the pale Witch intoned in the wake of Naedira Darcrath 's plea not to be dropped and her apprehension of being whisked away. They would not drop her; though if by some poor fortune it happened the Nightmother had ways of anchoring a spirit close. Not their first choice, of course. The woman had already enjoyed being bound to one object; it was unlikely she'd appreciate more.

Asaraa Vaashe had concerns of another nature to air, which drew Vyta;'s gaze once more. "Not all change is easy or necessary," she replied calmly, "but it is possible if you seek it, and with the right company. The same is true if you desire to see who you were or who you will become. Few can truly appreciate who they are without the observations of others. How else do extremists come to espouse one thing and do another? Losing perspective quickly leads to losing yourself."

Not long after they moved into the deep, Voph gave warning of the group being followed. Who would follow a motley crew into the jungle? To what end? "Let us shield you," the Nightmother spoke softly as she slowly repositioned herself to one side of Voph. A lone green eye peeked out from under the cowl at the Lord Commander of the Knights Obsidian. Rank had its privileges, it also had its responsibilities -- and today his responsibility was ensuring the ring arrived safely to the ritual site. The company he kept would tend to any rabble that surfaced.

Tag: The Monster

 

[Naedira Darcrath]

Location: Vylmira [Space Port -> To Great Temple]
Objective: Acclimate. Use the time she has left...Wisely.
Tag: Alkor Centaris Gerwald Lechner Redd Vytal Noctura Asaraa Vaashe Kyyrk The Monster [OPEN]

___________________​

Naedira flickered.

Kyyrk was certainly strong enough to bear the Knight Obsidian signet ring to their destination. It felt different. She had been accustomed to Alkor while hiding within his shadow. He was her window. A quiet voice among the insanity that encouraged her to keep fighting. Even, when he insinuated that she ought to do the opposite. There were worse things than being dead. Apparently.

The auburn-haired ghost just had to figure out exactly what those things were.

Even though the Darkness brought her close.

The wolf [@Redd] that she had greeted seemed to respond. At least, Nae thought she did. Maybe she was spending too much time in a looped reality with terrifying beasts, but she thought she saw a gleam of intelligence. Restless. But there was definitely a person in there. Somewhere.

Naedira fell back for a moment and began to move around and occasionally through some of the other Confederate (she assumed) aligned individuals that had arrived. A man in full armor with a slight, slight accent and a voice her Nabooian ears didn’t recognize. The Monster was his name. He hovered in the back of the group and the specter took the moment to walk through him, before, turning to face him. “I don’t know you. Do I?”

It was possible that she could have forgotten.

Gerwald Lechner and Alkor Centaris seemed to be having a moment that she didn’t quite understand. Both had settled on one word. Soon.

Would that be enough?

She was about to go visit the pink-haired warrior but words from Kyyrk caught her attention. A jolt ran through her and she felt the tug from the Netherworld grow stronger. Her arms wrapped around her torso, as if, she could feel cold. She couldn’t. She was dead. She didn’t feel anything. Not heat not cold. But she did feel this. Warning. Who would be following them on Vylmira? Who even know why they were actually here?

Gerwald became a wolf. She felt the change more than she saw it—Like the phases of the moon.

Her head turned toward Vytal Noctura when the woman began to speak. There was something about her voice that made Naedira want to hover around her. It felt almost warm. Soothing. As if she held all the answers to the secrets of the universe in one piece of wisely worded prose. “…I don’t know if I should be remembered more fiercely or less…”

Her friends in this realm never forgot her. The beasts in the other never did either.

The group dynamic seemed to shift. Out of habit, she floated back to a space somewhere between Alkor and Voph. The blind Miralukan held her tether. But Alkor…He felt the most familiar. Her voice was filled with a twinge of concern when it raised to the group. “Can you guys see anyone? Feel Anything?”

She kept watching. Waiting. Whatever it was didn’t feel hostile, per se, but the closer they got to the temple the more she could feel the weight of eyes pushing down on the group. A warning if it ever was one. She furtively looked between those that had gathered. As much as she could feel the Darkness calling, her freedom, wasn’t worth the lives of those she cared for.

Naedira had died to keep the Knights Obsidian safe.

She wouldn’t undo that now by allowing others to get killed trying to bring her back.

“…We could be wrong. Perhaps, this isn’t the way. Not the path.”

Not the way out. Not her freedom. Not her time…. There was no more time.

Naedira flickered again in place. Static, rippling, and fading while her resolve began to crumble.

 

[Srina Talon]

___________________________________________________
​

Location: Acanthus School Campus [Vylmira]
Tag: Eira Talon a

Was Eira angry with her?

Srina had spent quite some time trying to think of a way to make up for her absences. There had been meeting after meeting, day after day, since the Atrisian disaster. She had scarcely been able to abscond away to have a meal with the younger Talon let alone to plan any sort of meaningful decisions for her future. Regardless of what Srina could teach her, truthfully, Eira needed a more well-rounded education.

She wanted her sister to be able to survive. Without Eshan. Without their parents—Without her.

Silver eyes took in the silent form of her sister and she slowly tried to piece the parts of the puzzle together. Her body language was closed, and had been, ever since they’d left the quarantine facility. Srina had come as often as the doctors would allow. Things that were second nature, like telepathy, had been strictly forbidden. The virus tapped into the Force. No one wanted to know if it was possible to spread it without contact. No one wanted to know if the Force utilized between an infected and an uninfected would result in contamination.

It seemed far-fetched. But what was worse? The walking dead? Or a Force-spread disease?

If Srina minded that Eira wore her clothing she said nothing of it. The only thing she grew remotely possessive over were weapons and armor. Even then—She’d rather Eira wear it than not. Her littlest sibling was welcome to the vast, ridiculous closet, that the attendant droids Darth Metus ignored had amassed for her. Srina did frown, however, when Eira murmured that she didn’t like the Acanthus School. It wasn’t the disagreement. It was that she hadn’t even bothered to look around.

“They have all manner of—”

Srina paused. Eira would not go? The Exarch had grown used to being listened to. It was strange when people in her surroundings did not. It was stranger still, because, from the beginning, this whole excursion had revolved around giving Eira a choice. A voice. A chance to speak for herself when for the majority of her young life, it seemed, she was only following the wishes of others. “Eira…I think you misunderstand me. If you wish not to go—You need not go.”

“I am only bringing you options.”

The choices that Srina herself had never gotten. She wanted better for Eira. The best.

The best of everything. The best Srina could offer. A vendor off to the side of the path caught her attention and she was brought back to one of the first times she’d traversed the galaxy with her Master in the Ferocity. Oh, she loved that ship. It was fast, blindingly, and had ever weapon on it that anyone could wish for. At the vendor, however, she saw something she hadn’t seen in quite some time. “Let us take a moment.”, she offered, before gently guiding Eira toward a bench.

From there—She passed credits over to the vendor and returned to her sister with something that didn’t exist on Eshan. Srina had never been one for sweets, but this, was different.

“I had this once on Falleen. Try it.”

Srina passed Eira the fluffy object on a paper cone. The pink fibers glimmered, mixed with blue, in the pleasant afternoon sun. The Exarch pinched off a little piece of the cotton-eqsue snack and tucked it discretely into her mouth. Not chewing. Just letting it melt. Sweet, and satisfying.

“They told me that it is called fairy floss. Or sugar glass. They were very undecided.”

 

[Kyyrk]

​

Voph was silent as he looked about the underbrush, scanning for who or what could be following them. Then, the jungle came alive with the sounds of combat. Blaster bolts rang out through the undergrowth, and a red lightsaber appeared near Voph's shoulder. Voph's purple blade was already in motion, deflecting the blade away from him. Now, with the illusion dissipated, Voph could see them all clearly. Eight hostiles, one of them carrying a blade. That, of course, was the one that had attempted to take Voph from behind. Voph turned, back-handing the man behind him with enough force to send him into a nearby tree.​

​

As he turned back to the rest of the group, Voph's dominant hand extended to reach out to The Monster through the Force. Voph could see the hostiles through the growth, and his fellow knights could deflect blaster bolts back towards their targets. But Sergei was at a distinct disadvantage. "Sergei! Heads up!" Voph twisted how Sergei perceived the world around him. Sergei wasn't able to see them, but he would be able to feel them. Like a strong gut feeling that he should shoot in a certain direction.​

​

But as the team sprang into action, Voph couldn't help but wonder...Where did the lightsaber come from? Were the Sith back on Vylmira?​

​

Naedira Darcrath | Vytal Noctura | Alkor Centaris | Gerwald Lechner | Redd​

​

​

 

[Redd]

DETERMINED
Tags: Gerwald Lechner | Naedira Darcrath | Kyyrk | Alkor Centaris | Vytal Noctura | Asaraa Vaashe | The Monster

Redd had smelled the others just as Voph yelled a warning to the group. She had gotten a little distracted by the feeling of being back in an environment that she was familiar with, which was why she had only noticed the intruders a fraction ahead of the shouted warning. Golden eyes looked behind them and noted at least one blaster gunner trying to circle around the group. Paws kicked up shrubbery as she lunged at the man, which brought his attention to her. The wolf had caught the man off guard and paws planted into his chest, while powerful jaws sunk teeth into skin, flesh and muscle of his throat. A coppery taste, flooded her mouth as she shook her head from one side to the next before yanking her head back. Blood spurted over her chest as the man’s body sank to the ground with her riding it down. She spat out the flesh and turned upon her paws, weaving and ducking through the undergrowth of the jungle.

It was the smell that caught her attention right before the man with a lightsaber that was thrown into a tree by Voph and the bloodthirsty animal was upon the lightsaber wielder within a mere matter of seconds. Jaws ripped out the downed man’s jugular, not giving him a chance to get back up to return to the fighting. Even in the midst of battle, the lightsabre hadn’t switched off and her head cocked to one side before she licked her bloodied maw. Slowly, she reached out to pick up the lightsaber with her teeth and as she looked up, a blaster bolt heading straight for her was deflected by the low buzzing blade as she jerked her head to the left to avoid the bolt hitting her head. Well now, maybe these lightsticks aren’t useless after all, She thought to herself as she galloped towards another enemy who couldn’t seem to make up his mind about shooting or standing there in stunned silence.

On the outside, it probably did seem humorous that a large wolf would even deem to pick up a weapon in jaws that it was probably more used to using. However, even in the midst of battle, the wolf was finding more ways to keep her semi amused, if only she could use it properly. Although one thing she did learn was that the light stick deflected light bullets. Before she could reach her intended target, she heard more bullets flying towards her and she swung the blade in her mouth left and then right to deflect them. Who knew that deflecting bullets could be this much fun? Redd mused to herself as she dug her hind paws in and listened for more bullets whizzing towards the wolf.

However, no more seemed aimed towards her or they were dead, either way golden eyes looked towards the ghost that was accompanying them and noticed the flicker. She didn’t know much about ghosts, but what she did figure was that flickering didn’t seem good. As she opened her jaws to bark; the lightsaber fell from them, only to tumble to the ground and spluttered out as if something had been knocked out of whack. A whine was issued forth at her fun being lost, but her attention was brought back to the ghost and she barked at it. Almost as if she wanted to tell the ghost to hold on, to stop flickering. Paws hit the ground running and she slid to a sudden stop before the ghost and growled. Golden eyes dared that ghost to flicker and leave them, because she would be damned if they went through all of this trouble, only for the ghost to give up when they could almost be where they needed to be. Plus, if they were close, she’d find some way to drag it’s ghostly figure back even if it was impossible. She’d sink her teeth into the ghost to hold it to this realm if it were at all possible.

 

[Eira Talon]

___________________________________________________
​

Location: Acanthus School Campus [Vylmira]
Tag: Eira Talon a

Was Eira angry with her?

Srina had spent quite some time trying to think of a way to make up for her absences. There had been meeting after meeting, day after day, since the Atrisian disaster. She had scarcely been able to abscond away to have a meal with the younger Talon let alone to plan any sort of meaningful decisions for her future. Regardless of what Srina could teach her, truthfully, Eira needed a more well-rounded education.

She wanted her sister to be able to survive. Without Eshan. Without their parents—Without her.

Silver eyes took in the silent form of her sister and she slowly tried to piece the parts of the puzzle together. Her body language was closed, and had been, ever since they’d left the quarantine facility. Srina had come as often as the doctors would allow. Things that were second nature, like telepathy, had been strictly forbidden. The virus tapped into the Force. No one wanted to know if it was possible to spread it without contact. No one wanted to know if the Force utilized between an infected and an uninfected would result in contamination.

It seemed far-fetched. But what was worse? The walking dead? Or a Force-spread disease?

If Srina minded that Eira wore her clothing she said nothing of it. The only thing she grew remotely possessive over were weapons and armor. Even then—She’d rather Eira wear it than not. Her littlest sibling was welcome to the vast, ridiculous closet, that the attendant droids Darth Metus ignored had amassed for her. Srina did frown, however, when Eira murmured that she didn’t like the Acanthus School. It wasn’t the disagreement. It was that she hadn’t even bothered to look around.

“They have all manner of—”

Srina paused. Eira would not go? The Exarch had grown used to being listened to. It was strange when people in her surroundings did not. It was stranger still, because, from the beginning, this whole excursion had revolved around giving Eira a choice. A voice. A chance to speak for herself when for the majority of her young life, it seemed, she was only following the wishes of others. “Eira…I think you misunderstand me. If you wish not to go—You need not go.”

“I am only bringing you options.”

The choices that Srina herself had never gotten. She wanted better for Eira. The best.

The best of everything. The best Srina could offer. A vendor off to the side of the path caught her attention and she was brought back to one of the first times she’d traversed the galaxy with her Master in the Ferocity. Oh, she loved that ship. It was fast, blindingly, and had ever weapon on it that anyone could wish for. At the vendor, however, she saw something she hadn’t seen in quite some time. “Let us take a moment.”, she offered, before gently guiding Eira toward a bench.

From there—She passed credits over to the vendor and returned to her sister with something that didn’t exist on Eshan. Srina had never been one for sweets, but this, was different.

“I had this once on Falleen. Try it.”

Srina passed Eira the fluffy object on a paper cone. The pink fibers glimmered, mixed with blue, in the pleasant afternoon sun. The Exarch pinched off a little piece of the cotton-eqsue snack and tucked it discretely into her mouth. Not chewing. Just letting it melt. Sweet, and satisfying.

“They told me that it is called fairy floss. Or sugar glass. They were very undecided.”

It didn't feel like an option. It felt like a obligation wrapped in a pretty package. It was almost laughable, the suggestion that Eira had the choice to turn this down. And even if she did, from Srina's own words portrayed her resolve to bring Eira to more schools until she made a choice. Any choice. As long as it was at a school away from her.

These were all thoughts formed by her up bringing. It was very hard for Eira to trust the concept of independence. Even as Srina dangled it before her, Eira saw shadows where there were none. She was a game piece in a family name, and she was determined not to allow it. ...Easily.

Eira walked obediently towards the bench Srina redirected her to, her expression not improving as she was handed a treat. Eira took it, because despite her inner frustrations she was never one to show disrespect, and sat stiffly.

How could they be undecided about a name. She didn't vocalize the question, the concept ridiculous to her. Almost as ridiculous, in fact, as the fluffy candy in her hand. She frowned down at its childish form and pinched at it, her brows furrowing deeper as she discovered its sticky-- dissipating texture. There was a moment of silence, and then an intact of breath as she spoke again.

"I made my choice when I left with you. I don't want another teacher."

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

Location: Vylmira [en route to the temple]
Objective: Revive a loved one
Tag: Naedira Darcrath | Alkor Centaris | Redd | Kyyrk | Vytal Noctura | Asaraa Vaashe | The Monster

The wolf had just settled next to Naedira Darcrath when she began to flicker. Before her words, or the warning from Kyyrk , Gerwald picked up several distinct scents in the air. They were being followed, a thing he had not picked up on while in his human form, but now, he knew. Regardless of what the others had said, or what they did, this was now their task. They could not fail at bringing Naedira back because their party was being followed. A low growl rumbled in Gerwald's throat as the would be attackers revealed themselves. An intense hatred and overwhelming instinct to protect the ghost burned inside the wolf's bones.​

​

Rushing the closest assailant, Gerwald leaped into the air, shifting and landing on two feet as he continued to run. His ebony lightsaber snapped to life, the blade crackling and sparking as was the nature of the fractured crystal within, the moment his boots hit the ground. The lupine pressed ahead in a full sprint, deflecting the blaster bolts which continued to be shot at him. His blade hummed with every movement until the sound of it passing through armor, flesh, and bone, echoed through the forest around them.​

​

Eyes turned to his squire, and a small chuckle escaped his mouth.​

​

"It seems that is the next phase of training when all this is done," he said to Redd as she held the lightsaber in her jaw, deflecting bolts this way and that.​

​

"Master Centaris," Gerwald warned as one rushed his master from behind. Gerwald was not worried enough that he felt the need to intervene beyond that.​

​

The lupine closed his eyes for a moment, the briefest amount of time would pass, but Gerwald found himself lost in the past. There had been wormlike creatures, violent and hungry. Naedira had asked Gerwald for permission to fuse her mind with his for the moment. Together they had fought, their minds shared. Later she would tell him that she had found use of his senses, and Gerwald would admit he had always know where she seemed to be. The experience had been interesting. It was the day the met, their first battle together as a team.​

​

His eyes opened, and she flickered once more.​

​

It was seemed like an eternity since that day, and yet it felt like yesterday. Gerwald would learn later that something happened when they shared their minds in the battle meld. It was not supposed to have left any effect, but the process had bonded them. Whether it had been the will of the force, or whether it was simply his instinct as a lupine took over and pressed something deeper he was unaware of, Gerwald would not know. All he knew in that moment was the void left after her death was still gaping and glaring. He felt empty, as though part of him was missing. Such was the nature of a bond. Would it return if she were alive once more?​

​

Gerwald was drawn back into the conflict around him. The pink haired Jedi would move with grace and precision. Vytal used her own skills. The mercenary with them, he would fight in his own method. Together they were a team. Where Gerwald could help and warn the others he did. They would do the same for him. All of them defending the chance to complete the task they were there to accomplish.​

​

His eyes pleading with Naedira as the battle stopped around them. Each person had done what they needed to, and now Gerwald could focus once more on why they were there. The plea in his eyes became words almost within an instant.​

​

"Hold on... fight to remain. Come back to us... to me."​