Lost in Their Fur (Carria)

[George O Rourke]

​

Kashyyyk​

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George had travelled to the world of Kashyyyk, home of the Wookies in order to create relations with the local Wookie council.

George had just landed on the planet where he was welcomed by the local Wookie leaders. "Welcome to Kashyyyk." One of the Wookie council welcomed George in their native language. Before leaving Voss he though it would be best to learn the local language as without it the mission would surly fail.

He was shown to a room where he would stay for the duration of the talks. It was a small room, but nice. Neat and tidy with fresh towels and a few cups and bowls. Simple, but rather elegant. George rested for a while before heading out into the city to learn some more about the traditional Wookie culture, and admire the creativity of the Wookies as their cities were built into the trees of the planet. Something George loved as it slightly resembled the creativity of his home world, creating a city underwater using the natural materials that resided there.

Little did George know that this diplomatic mission would soon turn into a rescue mission for hidden behind the trees stood a dark figure. His plans, unknown, his influence small but strong. He would be a worthy opponent for the unsuspecting Jedi Knight.

[member="Carria Tollom"]

 

[Carria Tollom]

The world of Kashyyk remained quite peaceful and seemingly untouched at times. Nothing but the native Wookies, strong and fierce in their own right, to maintain their accepted way of life. It was here that Carria would attempt to find suitable allies in the council and beyond to assist in seeking out the reason behind her parents' absence on Chandrila. She had been welcomed graciously and already began discussing the help needed for the matter the day before. Somehow she could rest at ease knowing that perhaps someone could provide the bodies, or even a bit of information to simply bring them back.

Yet, hidden all around her, something was amiss. She could see it in the way some were observing. How some seemed to gather at strange hours in the night with no defined reason or purpose. Even the rather unnatural noises in the trees surrounding the area seemed to put her on edge at times. It seemed as though this place just wasn't truly free. As if something deep inside had taken control of its grip over some of the natives.

Now late in the afternnoon, Carria stood waiting utop a bridge, thinking of her next move. For she could not up and run from such a challenge, even if its immediate threat from still remained clouded from her vision.

[member="George O Rourke"]

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Carria Tollom"]

As the day rolled by George took a tour of the city, his smile hid a dark feeling that he could not shake. Something he felt was bringing him down, bring the planet down to its knees. But as he walked around the people seemed happy and not to notice the darkness surrounding them. George tried to shrug it of as if it was nothing. Maybe it was natural for Kashyyyk to feel this way. The though ran around in his mind, every single time it made less and less sense to him. But he had only been planet side for a few hours. What possibly could he have gotten from such short stay?

As George moved around the tree tops he saw something unusual, something he didn't expect to see. A female, not of the Wookie kind. It was the first time he saw something that might speak the Galactic basic in these parts. He wanted to go introduce himself, but for the time being, he didn't know who she was, or what her intentions were. With the darkness surrounding him, he felt it would be best not to make himself known to everyone around.

 

[Carria Tollom]

Intrigued by the strange happenings around the area, Carria would wait until later in the evening for a more opportune moment. Up in the trees, she watched a native walk down a path, unnoticed by others. She would soon come to find a most horrific sight: a group of wookies, about eight, sitting in a circle around a source of bright light. "Some sort of traditional ritual?" she thought. It couldn't be. She looked towards their faces, their movements, and more specifically, their eyes. They appeared to be in a somewhat blissful state, their bodies static and appearing to be somehow entranced by something surrounding them.

It was then, in her state of pondering that she felt it. A powerful pang of darkness inside her almost forceful enough to cause a fall and reveal her position. Grasping her chest, she looked out once more to see a dark, hooded figure amidst the natives, just behind. Something had to be done, surely. Equipped with nothing but a medium-sized vibro blade and her experience with the force (she had not seen a saber since her time in training long ago) she would allow herself to fall gracefully to the ground before the circle.

A rash, rather downright stupid decision perhaps, but her instincts took over at this very moment. As heads turned, and the wookies rose, she watched as the hooded figure seemed to walk backwards into the brush and shadows. Speaking in their language, she questioned them wearily. When they did not answer, they began to walk slowly towards her in an intimidating, practically zombified-like state. She asked once more raising her voice in a worried manner. Before she could finish her sentence, the wookies would raise their ryyk blades and began to shout defiantly. She found herself quickly raising her blade to block an attack from a native in front of her, thrusting herself into combat with the group. Quickly deciding to remain defensive, she would not kill if at all possible.

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

As the night came over George had almost finished for the night. He could still feel the darkness around the planet, however he did his best not to let it phase him. As he meditated something changed, there was strike of darkness suddenly poured through him. Not like what he had felt before. He knew there was something wrong, but couldn't tell how. He immediately stood up, running out of his room onto the treetops. Wookie villages typically revolved around large trees which in this situation helped George.

As he looked around he couldn't see anything unusual, but could feel something off in the distance, death, pain. Radiating from one area on the edge of the village. George was quick to respond. He ran like lightning towards it, darting across the trees in order to get there faster. However as the edge of the village came closer, the infrastructure grew less. Before he knew it, there treetop village was no longer, and the outskirts were upon them.

As the force seemed to speak louder and louder to George he knew he was heading in the right direction. He could slowly feel what was happening. That woman, shes in trouble. But how? The Wookies, are attacking... But why? All questions George had to ask himself, although he was sure the answers would be found in due time.

As George arrived the battle was in full swing. The woman was on the defensive, warding off many local Wookies. George diving into the fray ignited his lightsabres and parried the incoming attacks at the woman. With the Jedi's lightsabres drawn, the Wookies suddenly cracked, realising the opponent they were fighting and ran. Dropping their weapons and fleeing into the forest.

George turned to the woman. "Are you alright?" George could feel that there was something still wrong, but he couldn't quite tell what. Although the enemy had left, darkness still filled the area. "Here, lets get you back to the village." George said as he put his arm around the woman, helping her back to town as it was clear she was very weak.

[member="Carria Tollom"]​

 

[Carria Tollom]

She sat across from the stranger, sitting on top of a bed in a residence in the nearby village. She continued to remove wraps from her hands and fingers as well as unfasten a belt, while staring intently at him from the other side of the room. She reflected on the events that had just transpired moments ago; a quick showing of strength and a flash of sabers and the enemy had disappeared. She wished to think that she could hold her own; that somehow she could take one after the other in some sort of desparate act of charitableness. Yet in reality, a miracle came at the right place and at the right moment.

Carria would train her attention on the two sabers displayed just moments ago. The familiarity of the weapon, and not only its power but what it represented hit her like a wave from the past. Focusing on them, and then looking up towards his eyes, she would question him.

"You're a jedi...aren't you? Which order do you serve?"

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

As George sat across form the woman as she removed wraps from her hands. George had moved her back to the village where she would be safe from those dark souls who had attacked her. He mediatated whilst he waited, she had suffered from the altercation, but it seemed as though she was strong willed and wouldn't go down easy. He felt her eyes glance across, watching him as she continued to remove the unnecary clothes around her body.

He gently opened his eyes as she gazed upon his weapons sitting at his sides. As her eyes slowy looked up at his own she spoke. "Yes, I am. Jedi Master George O Rourke of the Silver Jedi Order." He replied gently. "How are you? Are you in pain?" He quireried as he wasn't quite sure of the extent of her injuries.

​

[member="Carria Tollom"]​

 

[Carria Tollom]

She would feel her arms and joints all around, feeling slight discomfort, but no major damage to her phsyical body or psyche. "Just some bruising, that's all. I'll be quite alright." Staring at the wall beyond the knight, she recalled distant memories of the battles she faced. "I've been in worse situations, believe me." A slight smile crept upon her face at the thought. Returning to a more mindful state, she continued her explanation. "I came here for information. Some of the local wookie leaders supposedly held knowledge that will prove...valuable. That's when I began notice the strange happenings everywhere. Locals actings off, wandering at night, I mean something isn't right here. I saw the-"....she pondered for a short moment. "Forgive me if I've spoken too soon."

"Why are you here?"

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

As the woman replied George's mind was at ease. With no major injuries she was safe for now. As she comment on the worse battles shes been in George could only grin. Knowing all too well how much worse these things can get. Instant flashbacks of a few memorable battles came flooding through. However the voice of the woman quickly stomped it away.

As she began explaining the situation and why she was on Kashyyyk it seemed that he had stumbled himself upon a very strange course of events. Ones that would take priority over his current current mission. However as she began to delve deeper into it she suddenly cut herself off. Cautious not to overshare her mission details.

George replied calmly. "I am here to contact the locals of Kashyyyk, keeping the mutually positive diplomacy between the locals of Kashyyyk and their protector the New Republic with the Silver Jedi Order. Something that we have done for long times past." George finished as he snapped back to the woman. "But that isn't quite as import as to find out who these mystery people are. The dark side is strong with them and their presence creates a very large disturbance in the force. I need to investigate this as well." George replied as he stood up. "But I do have one question... May I know your name?" George had still not caught the name of the woman who he had saved and shared company of for the past few hours.

[member="Carria Tollom"]​

 

[Carria Tollom]

He appeared trustworthy enough, his intentions seemingly held good faith. "Their "protector", huh? Lot of good that does you when it seems whatever threats you're worried about have already crept in behind the borders. She began to slightly let her guard down. " It's Carria, by the way. Carria Tollom, and I'm afraid whatever dark disturbances you may have witnessed have already disappeared into the shadows by now. Not that it matters anyway, any information the leaders seemed to have appears either extremely dated or vague for my use."

She remembered the knight's stated mission. He didn't seem lost at all, but rather determined to achieve something on the planet, as she once previously had been. "What do you plan to do now?"

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

"Very nice to meet you Carria." George kindly replied as she continued, talking about the darkness retreating. However she was interested about what he was going to do now. "From what I've seen, there has been no ships leave the sector, meaning that its more than likely that they are still planet bound. I will rest up tonight and head out in the morning. The people here are not like this. They are kind people that wouldn't threaten and attack people on a whim. I need to find out who this was and why they are doing it. You are more than welcome to come. Seems you know much in this area." George laid it down for her. His mission had changed, it was now to find the disturbance on Kashyyyk and end it before fatalities occurred

[member="Carria Tollom"].​

 

[Carria Tollom]

She sat in complete silence for a time.

Listening to his words, she felt a certain sense of purity within him, simply being in the vicinity. He sought to achieve the protection of those around him and bring out the light. It reminded her of the life she had lived some years prior, and of another, equally determined master from the past. Fear was beginning to take over her actions and lead her astray. She would look beyond the Nautolan for a moment, slowly closing her eyes. Perhaps minor meditation would provide an answer. She could hear only her own thoughts. "Did I not just risk my life for them?"

After this brief moment of peace, she would face him once more, simply replying: "I will."

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

As George finished speaking he noticed Carria take a moment to take it all in. She closed her eyes for a moment, almost appearing to find some clarity. However when she opened them she spoke, 2 works. 'I will.' It was exactly what George wanted to hear. "Well it is settled then. We'll head out in the morning, we'll head out of the city, into the woods. Prepare for a few days camping, we'll need all the time to find these dark creatures." George replied standing up before walking towards the door way. "You're welcome to the bed, I will rest elsewhere. But rest up, you'll need it over the coming days." George said before leaving the room and taking up his chair for the night.

[member="Carria Tollom"]​

 

[Carria Tollom]

Awakening to the sight of the roof above her and an unsettling light, Carria wrestled herself out of the bed. Quickly packing her belongings in a small bag strapped to her back, she had all the essentials necessary for such a trip. She walked quickly and placed her hand on the door frame before turning back abruptly. She took one last moment to take in the surroundings of the room, breathing silently and taking it in. It was a sign of fear, she decided. One she refused to accept. Looking down at the ground for a mere second before glancing towards the vibroblade on her bed, she would quickly levitate it towards her grasp and leave the room.

Outside, the morning sun granted her some peace, all while her heart beated fast in her chest. All was silent while she turned her gaze towards the Nautolan.

"I'm ready."

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

The night sleep was average, but it was enough. George was rested and relieved. He awoke early and took his spare time to meditate, thinking about what was to come. He then packed his gear, very light but enough for what he needed. Lightsabers strapped to his waist and some essential supplies in his bag, water, food that was all. His boots were on tight and his robes were comfy. It was almost time to leave the nicety of the Kashyyyk city behind them and take to the bush to find their prey.

As Carria woke George had his things ready, he saw he pause for a moment as she left the room. Not sure if she was forgetting something, or rethinking her options... Either way, it seemed she was in. "Alright, lets get going. We need to get as far into the forest as we can before night fall. We will set up camp. Keep your guard up and be ready, don't have a clue what were are up against out there." George replied as they left the hut making for the edge of the city. It was time to leave and step into the unknown.

​

[member="Carria Tollom"]​

 

[Carria Tollom]

Heavy breathes and the rustling of plant life against her shoulders were all that could be heard in the forest. The night was pitch black, and the forest itself seemed to maintain its eerie sense of darkness and mystery. A corrupted playground of sorts. Or someone's.

She refused to stop running, tumbling through every bush, weed and tree till she could make it to her haven. A bright, burning light in the distance signaled safety. Her mind and body would race until reaching its warmth.

Stumbling onto the dirt, she threw her hands in front of her to prevent a further fall, and she rose to face the Nautolan, almost blinded by the torch light. Still out of breath, she continued, "I...I saw something. Or heard...something. Something like before."

[member="George O Rourke"]

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Carria Tollom"]

"Are you alright?" George asked as she rose to her feet in front of him. "Where are they, tell me what happened." He replied as he looked around for the creatures of the night. Nothing could be seen, but much could be felt. Darkness surrounded them both, not just the lack of sunlight, but the lacking of any goodness at all. Something George was not too fond of. "Come now, we must hurry, the night is dark and it is not safe, stick beside me and keep your wits about you." George continued as he helped the woman to move forward, they still had a long journey on their hands and it was definitely not safe.

 

[Carria Tollom]

The two would run across various paths of the forest, keeping their wits about them. Finally, coming across a more mountainous area filled with caverns and wildlife up above, they would stop. Catching her breath, she could still here intense rustling in the brush nearby.

"Something isn't right, I can still feel it here..."

Carria's eyes would race from left to right as her head turned every direction searching for the source of her panic. Her grip on the vibro blade remained incredibly tense.

"Master Rourke...I believe we need to-"

Her words were cut short by the deafening cry of Wookie warriors. Corrupted like the last group, these were even more frenzied, clearly under the influence of dark forces. The majority of the group came attacking the master jedi, perhaps knowing his strength. Two of the wookies would bring their attention to Carria, charging towards her direction and slinging blades towards her body. She would the vibro blade swiftly up to deflect a blow to her face, before turning just in time to parry an incoming strike from the other at her side. Their immense size would be a severe advantage against Carria, using their weight and every amount of force in each blow. She would back up, ducking underneath, as a weapon would come hard against the surface of a tree, surely fatal if it had hit its target. Rolling to the side, she would stand to deflect another strike towards her thigh, and bring her fist up with all the power she could muster towards her assailant, stunning him for only a moment. As she quickly raised the blade to come down onto her foe, she was halted by a thrust of the force from behind. Suddenly, her body would move and fly across the area, thrown into one of the nearby caves below. Through some manner of the force, she would feel the intense impact taking the air from her body, as it hit the walls of the cave, and rolled someways. The sheer power behind it was not something she had experienced for some time, if at all.

Through another act of the force, massive rocks and rubble began to fall at the cave's entrance, closing it off to the outside forest. It was powerful enough to make the ground shake anywhere nearby. Soon, she was left in utter darkness in the cavern, the light and her only means of escape having been blocked by an assailant. Carria struggled to bring herself to her knees, her injuries apparent through each grunt and groan. She attempted to remain focused, yet could feel the presence all around her.

"Master Rourke?...George?" She would slightly shout.

It was at this moment that she heard the fiend in her vicinity. It was a terrifying, dark and almost distorted sounding cackle. Almost inhuman.

"No" she proceeded to whisper to herself, her panic building. She would proceed to search about the ground beneath her for her weapon frantically as she felt the voice intensify ever so slowly.

[member="George O Rourke"]​

 

[George O Rourke]

[member="Carria Tollom"]

The pair was almost out of the forrest, the mountainous terrain laid in front of them. But before they could make their first step on to the mountain the stopped, the sound of the Wookie warriors froze both in their tracks. 'This is not good.' George thought to himself as he gripped both lightsaber hilts. Just as Carria was about to speak the Wookie hoard revealed themselves. However it seems they were almost no longer Wookies, just dark souls using the Wookie bodies as hosts. It was not fun, the Wookies had no mercy and they were coming straight for the pair of them.

Bulk of the hoard took to George leaving Carria with two to fend off. However their immense size and strength made them very tough opponents. As the other four came at George he engaged his blue and green lightsabers. The Wookies tore up at George slashing and bashing at the Jedi Master. George fended them off, but retreated a few steps in the attack, at this stage Carria and himself were separated, he could see her struggling against the bigger opponents across the battlefield. He needed to do something, he need to get the upper hand.

George began to fight back, no more parrying and retreating, he was on all out attack. He sliced and diced through the Wookies, each blow precise and deadly. He was now gaining ground on his new found friend and removing the Wookies from the battle in one action. His face, one of determination pushed him through the battle. Ducking and weaving from enemy strikes whilst utilising both lightsabers in swift strikes, severing limbs and gaining the upper hand. But it seemed that severing limbs did not affect the dark Wookies, they simply picked up their blades and went again as if nothing even happened. This was a very worrying moment. 'They are no longer Wookies, but simply dark souls. They can not be saved.' He thought to himself as he closed his eyes for a moment before centring himself and preparing for his final attack.

Only moments later George was gone, his attacks were swift and deadly, Striking the Wookies down one by one, leaving them no chance to retaliate. By the end of it four Wookies laid motionless on the ground. He looked up towards Carria as he was about to move in on her opponents. However as he looked up he saw her flying across the forrest into the caverns below. "NO!" George yelled as he sped towards her attacks swiftly slicing them up and leaving their bodies scattered across the now red grass below. He reached out through the force to give Carria a message. "You hold on tight in there, I'll get you out." But the question remained, would he get her out in time?

He could still feel a dark presence within the forrest even after destroying all the dark Wookies who now laid dead upon the ground. "Your Warriors are defeated, you are left alone in the darkness. You can either face me now and die, or you can leave this place. Either way we both will walk out of here alive. You can trust that." George calmly spoke to the darkness, George knew the threat of the darkness was real, but also knew the he had not much time. He needed to get rid of the darkness of the forrest and then get into the cave.

 

[Carria Tollom]

She was truly isolated in this moment. Left with nothing but the cold darkness of the cave, and some maniacal being hiding in its surroundings, Carria needed to use her wits to survive. Her hands would graze the brittle floors and rough walls of the cavern, searching for a sign that she was in any way closer to her weapon. She would hear the creature's laughing intensify with each step. Turning her head in each direction, she could not find its source in the pitch black darkness. Whatever it was, it was preying on her vulnerability and fear, toying with the girl.

Carria would suddenly bring herself to her knees, in an attempt to maintain her sanity and union with the force. Closing her eyes, she would feel for any sort of sense for the weapon. Through this moment of concentration, she could feel the blade a few steps away, nestled under a gathering of rocks. Coming to her feet and reaching her hand out, she would focus on pulling the weapon toward her body, maintaining this sense all while her attacker's apparent pull of darkness seemed to increase with each second. She could feel something practically breathing on her neck.

With a quick rustling of rocks and rubble, the vibro blade would finally levitate into her grip. She would turn her head just in time to witness the flash of crimson coming down upon her. Bringing the blade up in a last resort defense, it would clash with the saber, deflecting the blow. The sheer surprise and force behind the attack would cause her to stagger backward as the saber retracted back into darkness. Turning her head in multiple directions, Carria's breathing intensified. As the creature's voice grew louder, she proceeded to look down and whisper to herself.

There is only peace, there is only peace, there is only peace...

She could hear the crimson saber reigniting and retracting each second around her, yet no matter where she turned, she could not see its hue.

There is only peace, there is only pe-

"AUGHH!"

Carria's shout would fill the cave as saw the saber ignite inches from her face as it strung to strike at her neck. Dodging the blow by ducking down just in time, she would bring her weapon up to deflect another incoming strike towards her back. Turning back to face her opponent, she saw nothing but darkness encompassing the red blade. Sweat proceeded to fall down her face. Her opponent continued to bring the saber about in a circle, in a menacing preparation for another attack. Carria's weapon would swipe down to deflect yet another shot towards her waist. Shouting once more, she would then bring the weapon outwards in an offensive strike, but found to her surprise, nothing.

It was after this strike that Carria's weapon was knocked out of her grip by the saber. Its metal material could be heard clinking a few steps away. In the same action, she was punched in neck, then brought up and thrown against the wall of the cave by her attacker. Held in suspension by a force grip, the creature would bring itself towards Carria. As its crimson saber' hue glowed vibrantly in her face, Carria would turn her eyes toward the opponent, but to her horror, she found nothing but black, dark nothingness in its robes. Even its fingers as they proceeded to touch her skull felt like dust, and yet at the same time nothing. She began to experience extreme pain, her eyes widening and mouth shuddering at each movement on her head.

Carria could see every painful memory in this moment, as well as newly created visions of a horrible dark descent fueling her pain. The cave would soon fill with her intense screams.

[member="George O Rourke"]​