Not the individual I needed...

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Hesperidium in orbit around Coruscant...

The once proud and beautiful resort moon still held some of it's former glow and glimmer as it hurtled through space around the capital planet. Many of the buildings still stood, their many windows dark from within, closed through the decades. One or two establishments here and there clung to life, still catering to the occasional patrons. Even a few higher-class resorts maintained a steady enough profit to stay in business.

One of these had flourished under the reign of the One Sith, and still primarily saw those customers who remained loyal to the cause.

This was where Kimiko and her group of loyal companions had managed to rest. When questioned about how, Yoshiko had waved off the curious, ensuring they were here legally. But ever since the group had landed this morning, Kimiko could not get herself to calm down.

She had nothing to extraordinary to worry about: They had tracked 'Dancer' to the planet withing the past twenty-four hour period, their ship was docked securely, they were staying at possibly a five-star resort for probably free, etc etc.

So why was the poor woman on edge?

She couldn't quite place it herself, so she had left her daughter in Chika's care, and left in search of answers.

Her search had led her to a neighboring building, one long closed down and abandoned...but steeped in the Dark Side of the Force. Thankfully, she no longer felt ill in it's presence, but it still bothered her enough to figure out why and where it lingered...

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Artist​

​

Planet: Coruscant Moon​

Location: Abandoned Skyscraper, Floor 3.​

Time: 05:14:33​

Weather | Time of Day: Rain | Dusk​

​

Just before Dark...​

​

The empty urban building stood, twenty stories tall. Its beauty stripped from it, by the ever-growing demand of the urban area on one of Coruscant's Moons. It was an odd thing to see on other worlds, but too frequently buildings became a shell of what they once were, imposing a lackluster sight to the surrounding areas, filled with hotels and higher tier accommodations within the confines of the sprawling neighborhoods. Although, even with such uselessness, the shell of what once was stood tall, awaiting the constrictive demolitions to eventually tear it down and build something better in its place. It was a sad thought to him, Orion had come from a family of wealth and while he had recently realized they were an anchor to his success, he still knew the work it took to build something.

He had reached the moon hours ago, and while he was unsure of what the visions in his head were leading him to, he continued forth. Presented with curiosity, Orion wandered to the front of an old aged building, windows busted the more he peered upward at the desecrated architecture. The brown corroded pipes that swayed above him from exposure to the acidic rain was a clear hazard to a passerby, hence the warning signs posted around the foundation of the skyscraper.

Warnings, no, rules didn't apply to Orion, he was a sith and freedom meant no restrictions. Ducking under the bright yellow tape he proceeded into the dark opening at the center of the building. The musty smell of leaking water from the rain, that had just begun, made him grunt. His pale skin was like a beacon of light as he carefully walked forward. Artwork of mischievous kids filled the concrete walls from head to toe as he examined them one by one. He was an artist himself, as such enjoyed seeing creations from other beings. Even with his heart of darkness he could still see true beauty.

As he reached the steps he skipped the next two levels till he felt something in the force, a tingle spreading through his body as he stepped onto the cracked floor of the fourth slab presented to him by the steps. The signature, at least what he could tell was hard to read and as fast as he felt it, it came again, this time stronger. Shaking his head, he gripped his robe and threw it to the side as he viciously walked to the edge of a wide-open wall. Orion looked down, looking for any potential threats but before he could find anyone he heard something.

A whisper...

Higher...

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The woman wandered, chasing the source of the darkness, through the equally dark structure. Her bare feet carrying her small frame silently through the halls and up and down flights of stairs. She could have sworn someone made some kind of sound, but then again the entire building was being noisy around her. Nonetheless, her ears twitched above her head.

Kimiko felt the air around her grow heavy as a corner was rounded. Her blue eyes found themselves looking over a balcony (the fourth, maybe fifth floor?) looking onto the main courtyard. Hands on the railing, she took in the view, pausing in her search. A slight breeze flowed around her in the open space and she breathed it in, attempting to relax.

This whole chase was for naught right? She was getting paranoid and nervous about nothing. It also did not help the growing child within her, not only adding to her presence, but manifesting it's own, causing her to be off-balance.

Long white hair shook with her head as it shook and she turned to exit this lonely place...

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The voice had startled him, it's silky smooth enticing sound forcing him to obey. Orion quickly made his way up. Something seemed off, another wave of energy hit him as he reached the seventh floor. Someone was here. Ignoring what or who was below him following his trail, to his only assumption, the darkside continued to speak to him as he stepped into a daunting hallway.

The vibration of the cracked and bruised building swayed in the high winds of the storm brewing outside. The continued pitter-patter of water crashing into the window made him grin. He hated water, at least deep water, the kind you drowned in. It was one of his greatest fears. Although, lately he'd been doing a lot to overcome such a petty weakness. this was neither the time nor place to think about it. Shrugging off the terrifying thought, he continued into the corridor, a small metal box in the center of the floor. The voice grew louder as he approached it.

Take it...

The voice urged him. Lifting his right hand to his long black hair he pushed it back, and took a deep breath. The tendrils of the force gripped him as he examined the box. Orion knelled on one knee and removed his hand from his hair to unlock the box. The metal clamps slid upward and the metal creak that came afterwards forced it ajar.

The contents made his eyes widen, two small, perfectly black jewels. Orion looked around before reaching in to grab them, unaware of what they were. it wasn't every day the darkside of the force told you to "take something." Snatching the ominous stones from the box he slammed it shut. The loud bang echoed throughout the tower. Of, course this would have alerted any other potential intruders in the same structure. Confused about what was now in his possession he hurried back down the steps.

Then it hit him like eating the core of and apple, his stomach sank. Rounding the stairwell, he froze. A white haired, beauty standing before him. His green eyes scanned her quickly before slipping the black stones into his cloak, the shimmer of his new chrome mask staring back at her. He knew right away she was no human, thankfully. Humans always made things about them, ignorant lot. No, the one before him now was more interesting than he had expected, a kitsune, by the tell of her ears. He stepped slightly forward, menacing in his advance. His head tilting like that of a sociopath, a evil smile reaching his lips, under his silver mask.

"And what do we have here?"

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Sensitive ears picked up the tell-tale slamming of what was assumed to be metal on metal. It was at this same instant the dark presence swelled in this place. Her senses tingled, skin crawled, and every fiber of being willed the woman to leave before it all went to hell.

Her feet were moving before she knew it...but not towards the exit. Instead, her path led her to a long, and rather dark, passage deeper within the structure. Its use was unknown. But what she did know was the overbearing pressure descending upon her...

She sensed him before he spoke...especially the darkness emitting, not from him, but on him...

"And what do we have here?"

Frozen as the sinister words floated to her ears, which turned before her head, but when her gaze fell upon the figure that spoke, she hid the dread that filled her.

He stood much taller than she did. Wearing a mask to hide his face, the metallic voice only adding to the effect. But, she could tell the wicked smile from the way he spoke.

"Just a wandering tourist, lost, seeking answers. I meant not to trespass." automatically she responded, visible tail twitching nervously behind her as her eyes attempted to make something of his form.

But it was for naught, as he continued his approach, the white-maned woman held her ground boldly...shielding the life force within her from hopefully being discovered...

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

It was the twitch that caught his verdant eyes, shifting to the slight twinge of her tail. It swayed back and forth only for a moment before he stepped forward once more. He felt it, the fear in the female kitsune before him. Even though he could sense it, she took a sturdy stance. It was almost cute, until he felt the presence of the force fade.

Is she force sensitive?

The thought struck him as he examined her, nothing about her screamed, Jedi. A good sign for the both of them. He lifted his right hand from his pocket and whisked his wrist in a circular manner. He couldn't help his other thoughts from going crazy with potential outcomes.

A kitsune, I wonder how something like this in such a humanoid form would take to my experiments of alchemy. While I haven't practiced the work, what would she become? A mutated fox? No, maybe something darker, more instinctive, much like that of a fox demon. I could use her...but what to do? Also, why did the signature fade? Did she conceal the force around her?

Too many questions plagued his mind, it was too soon to tell. If she had capacity for the force, he would do just that...

Force it out of her.

"This building has been long forgotten, little fox. I suggest you be careful wandering the halls of an abandoned asylum, that's right. What brought me here were the voices...of the dead." He paused, his hand finally stopping the weird circular motion with a 'crack.' His knuckles buckled into a fist as he continued. "Say? Little fox..." He sighed, his eyes closed for a moment and grinned.

"Do you hear them?"

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Fox?...What in the world does that mean...

The words mixed confusion with fear within her. Why was he addressing her as such? What could he possibly be thinking? What is he doing with his hand?

All these, and more cascaded through her mind, charging the increasingly tense stand-off. It did nothing to help that her focus was slipping in such a heavy and malevolent force...only mere moments from having her facade crumble around her.

She had to leave, NOW.

Common sense screamed for her to disengage, call for help, something...but her curiosity won her over. As stupid as it sounded, she needed to know why...

The woman shook her head, not knowing of the things he spoke, but she figured he could feel her own presence by now, so she submitted the fact of her own sensitivity,"I hear no voices, as you claim to hear." she remained calm, voice steady, hoping to stall any confrontation as long as she could.

...the quip about the dead was purposely ignored, but a shiver ran up her spine regardless...

Her azure gaze followed him curiously before she responded herself...

"You call me fox...why? Do you know what I am?" her voice sounded; melodious, calming, and very inquisitive.

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion's head tilted upward as he took a deep breath, awaiting an answer.

"I hear no voices, as you claim to hear."

Was it a lie? Or was the darkside of the force stronger with him, to be gifted such a clairvoyant voice?

Regardless of what was taking place Orion knew there was more to the foxy girl. She was quick to respond and as she did his head meandered back to a straight position and his eyes snapped open.

"Claiming? You think i would lie to you? Little Fox?"

Then like a dagger to his heart, the words she spoke next ignited his curiosity even more.

"You call me fox...why? Do you know what I am?"

Was such a thing possible? To not know the similarities between the two? Or was she being sly, like a true fox?

Orion clapped, applauding her clueless act. She had struck a nerve, if she was going to lie, she could have at least tried. Although, the humanoid fox-like creature was the first he had ever seen. His mind rapidly searched for an answer. the long years of studying creature biology for his future success in alchemy, may have finally paid off. He shifted his feet in a smooth manner, sidestepping as he began to circle her like a shark.

"A fox, the animal my dear, surely you know what I speak of. It would be very unwise to lie to me, little fox." He contained his excitement, if she was a rare specimen, he hit the jackpot. His mind continued to flush out the idea of a mutated fox, her skin showed little signs of contortion or even strain through the arts of the darkside.

Then he paused looking at the back side of her, the nine tails she safely hid away now making themselves apparent. He was right the first time. She was a Kitsune, he knew it subliminally from his previous thoughts. His mind came to a complete halt, the information, while little caused a fire in his emerald orbs of desire, desire to capture and experiment. His mind took note of the one piece of info on the Kitsune, their dexterity.

Getting a hold of her would prove challenging, especially if he acted now. It was too tense, not to mention the only recorded piece of information on her species was their agility, there had to be more. The fact that there wasn't made Orion clench his teeth, his jaw line straining, all to contain his sickening joy.

"As far as what you are, shouldn't you already know that?" He relaxed, careful of any real threat from her. "What's your name...little fox?"

A rare specimen, indeed...

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

He began to circle her like a predator...great...yet, she sensed no new ill intentions from this stranger...just an increased sense of curiosity. He must know something then...

Kimiko remained still, crossing her arms below her chest, eyes never leaving him. Everything about him caused her worry in the most curious of ways. She had been around those who leaned towards the darker side of actions, hell, even the man she loved, but none were on this man's level...terrifyingly curious.

He came to a stop behind her for an uncomfortable amount of time. This caused her to blush brightly, and turn to face him,"I know what a fox is! And I do not think staring at my backside will garner anymore information!" inflating her cheeks in a pout, unintentionally acting as an adolescent girl would.

His next words brought her out of her immature tirade. She swallowed, eyes finding the floor very interesting as she attempted to form her next words without giving to much away about herself and her past...a mistake she had made before.

"I...I honestly have no idea as to what I am or where I came from..." the woman's demeanor changed suddenly, to that of a more mature audience as her blue eyes locked back onto him,"...but shouldn't a gentleman introduce himself first to a lady prior to asking for her name?" a sly smirk would appear as she awaited an answer...

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

Orion continued to stare, her nine extremities flailing about. It was a sight of true beauty. Others that looked at such things would pass it off as gross or even ugly, but there was beauty there. Almost yearning to touch one he extended his hand slowly, before she shouted with a robust flare of irritation.

"I know what a fox is! And I do not think staring at my backside will garner anymore information!"

Oh, my?

Orion hadn't considered a potential problem with his staring, until her anger became present in her voice. It was a rude thing to do, especially if someone was staring at the back end of a female’s bottom. Orion retracted his arm backwards aware of her sensitivity. Her childish spurt almost assured him that the rose red cheeks formed a blush. He spotted it as he began to move back into her frontal view. He was closer now, sly in his attempt to close the gap from before. Only a few feet now separated them.

"Are you that shy?" He chuckled under his chrome mask. It was a rhetorical question, one that he clearly knew the answer to, by looking at her.

Like a torrential form of emotion, something washed over her as she answered his other inquisition.

"I... I honestly have no idea as to what I am or where I came from..." Orion smirked, she was a lost soul. "...but shouldn't a gentleman introduce himself first to a lady prior to asking for her name?"

Orion Darkstar was no ordinary sith, where others would ravenously kill, he would resist. Where others would refuse to accept knowledge as a weapon, Orion opposed. Where other sith would rather, rudely end a conversation out of pure frustration, Orion embraced.

"You assume I am a gentleman? Assumptions will get you killed, little fox." Slowly he stepped closer and as he leaned forward he was inches from her face. Giving away his name meant little to him, after all, lying to her wouldn't make a difference if she was locked away in a cage of his own. He reached for his mask, cupping it in his black gloved hand. He pressed it harder to secure its placement from going awry. A terrifying pause happened, before he released it from his grip. The mask was once again secure. A sigh escaped him and his eyes were fixated on the world of blue staring back.

"Orion...Orion Darkstar." He leaned even closer, the top half of his mask probably touching her forehead as he lowered his voice so only she could hear. "And don't you forget it..." He straightened and spun away before inciting any violence. The force imbuing him with the darkside. Then he finished.

"Little Fox." His voice changed, cold and sinister in its execution.

She would be his....

In time.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

That sinking feeling in the pit of the woman's stomach returned...with full force.

"Orion...Orion Darkstar. And don't you forget it...Little Fox."

His name, mixed with the close proximity, sent her flight response into overdrive.

"Well, Orion, I am Kimiko and I appear to have over stayed my welcome." she stepped back, done with stalling, and ready to leave.

As her eyes scrutinized the man before her, the all-to-familiar wash of darkness flooded over her. The combination of his energy, and the energy of the objects he held nearly cause Ki to wretch, the nausea from already being pregnant not helping.

Immediately her own signature would increase in the air around her, attempting to counter Orion's own,"If you'll excuse me, I must be going now."

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The surge...​

​

It came faster than he had expected. [member='Kimiko"]'s vast force presence expanded throughout the building. The brittle stone pillars that held the messy slabs of cracked floors upright, began to shake. He caught the odd creatures' name before she made an urgent move to leave. If she thought intimidating him with her own prowess was the right move, she would be sadly mistaken. [/FONT][/CENTER]
[CENTER] [/CENTER]
[CENTER][FONT='comic sans ms']Something else seemed off about her, almost as if another force signature was resonating with her. It evaded his mind, the concept of a rare species being pregnant the last thing he would have guessed. Still, she wanted to leave and unlike himself he stayed defiant in his sinister approach, unfazed by her overwhelming aura.​

​

"You are not excused, I want..." He cleared his throat, his green eyes turning into slits. "I need you." Orion said.​

​

He didn't specify exactly what his cold statement meant. Only he knew what was in store for such a rare breed. He stepped to the side and sucked in a deep breath. His chrome mask glimmered in the shadows that shrouded him. His only thought led to his studies, he needed her. The amount of blood he would need in order to create another like Kimiko, would prove difficult. In fact, capturing her was the more prospering option. Since he stepped out of her way and into the shady over hang from the swinging pipes above, she would think to run.​

​

But...​

​

Orion loved a good hunt.​

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

"I need you."​

​

The words caused the woman to freeze in her barefooted tracks,"Excuse me?" she snarled, feeling offended.

Normally, Kimiko would not be the confrontational type, especially having not only herself to care for. But something here pushed her over the edge, her hand falling to feel the cool metal of her saber staff, expecting violence, only solidified her response.

Icy-blue eyes bore into the man. Her ears twitched nervously. Tails stayed low and ready.

"What is it you need, exactly, [member="Orion Darkstar"]?" Ki spoke through clenched teeth...

 

[Orion Darkstar]

"What is it you need, exactly, Orion Darkstar?"

The question was no longer needed to be answered. Orion was quick to sense her nervous posture. Her tails seemed to lower and her ears twitched.

This was it, the moment he had been waiting for. He needed to act now before she was on full guard. With a sudden turn of he heel he emerged from the shade, the ominous figure that was Orion stretching his right arm to the wayside as his cloak followed. Synchronized to the other happenings of his left arm, his palm reached for the air. His light clothing revealed as he excitedly replied.

"Your blood!" Orion screamed, his left hand releasing a sudden burst of energy, clear and forceful it rippled forward.

The hunt had begun.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The impact of the wave caught the woman completely by surprise. It was heavy, as if it was actually made of water, and it sent her back down the same hallway she had recently traversed...and onto, then over, the railing into the expanse of the courtyard.

She fell, several stories, tumbling through the air, before she got her thoughts straight enough to land...

THUD!

...too late.

Her back impacted the ground rather hard, thank goodness it was only from the third floor. But it still hurt.

Immediately she probed her own body, relived to find not only herself, but the child were unscathed, except for bruising here and there.

Kimiko groaned as she willed herself to rise, albeit painfully, and gathered her bearings. Righting her position, her eyes glanced up, towards where she had just fallen from, hand holding her hilt and watching for her enemy to make his appearance...

[member="Orion Darkstar"]

 

[Orion Darkstar]

The swift warping noise of wind erupted into the open corridor. The swooshing slices of the current slamming into the walls along with Kimiko sliced through the remaining glass windows. splintering and shattering as he watched the clueless fox fall off the far edge of the steel railing. Orion would have been happy about it, had he not wanted her alive, rather than dead. A live species was always better than a dead one.

A pit hit his stomach, the thought of losing out on such a creature for his own benefit almost made him sick. Snapping into action he raced for the railing. If he had to kill her to get the blood, it would still sufice, still, he preferred her alive. She had fallen, at least to what he could calculate as he peered over the rail and shook his head. His right hand fell onto the metal bar as he lifted himself over and began to make his descent.

Orion couldn't allow her a moment of reprieve, he needed to exhaust her, she was a fox after all. As he slipped through the levels of foundation he landed.

BOOM!

A wash of dirt and old dust exploded out from under him. A brown hazy smoke concealing if he survived the fall. Just before the dust cleared, the hum of Orion's saber lavished the engrossing area with a vibrant red. The crimson saber emerging from the other side to greet Kimiko for the first time.

"Impressive, little fox." Orion said, his voice emerging from the depths of his mask. his left hand gripped tightly onto his metallic hilt. The force spoke to him now, his goal more apparent than ever. he would get what he needed.

There was no time for letting up, he rushed forward, his saber slanting sideways at the tailed nemesis. The gap had been closed abruptly, but the execution was sloppy. Trying not to kill someone was harder than it looked...

[member="Kimiko"]