The Dodgy Encounter

[Xin Moore]

[SIZE=11pt]Location: Krant[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Year: 831 ABY[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Time: Early Morning[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt][member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As Xin rose up from his makeshift bed his head spinning even worse than the day before. He thought perhaps it was hunger as he had withstood the real test of starvation in the past, but somehow this daze was different than that but at the same time somehow familiar. Second guessing himself he thought perhaps he could be dying of hunger as he wasn't even sure how long he had been stranded by his own parents on this foreign jungle infested world. Days had somehow turned into weeks and perhaps even weeks into months. Time had little meaning to him as he struggled to survive on such a harsh and unfamiliar world. His only saving grace was the discovery of an ancient structure buried within a collapsed cavern system well below the surface. The subterranean compound protected him during the bright days and allowed him a small hunting ground in the form of bugs and other tiny pests roaming around aimlessly through the decrepit structure. His inherent ultraviolet vision not only made hunting the vibrant looking critters easier but also revealed a hidden layer to his hideaway. Markings that might otherwise go undetected by the average galactic inhabitants were as plain as day hidden just beneath the surface along almost every inch in a language he had never before encountered. Initially Xin had disregarded them as his focus was more on escape then observation but as time passed he become fixated upon the glyphs. Soon enough he couldn’t help but obsess over the strange markings and write them down on his clothing using chunks of charcoal leftovers from his nightly fires. His once pristine Umbaran white attire was now a filthy mess covered in the crudely drawn markings of his new obsession. There was comfort and purpose in his obsession which he had not yet consciously realized, but it did give him a reason to strive to survive even if his young mind hadn’t yet caught on.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]After finally securing his footing Xin knocked away the last few leaves and branches that hung futility to his back. Taking in a deep breath to try and clear his head the damp stench of ancient decay filled his lungs. Initially his body had rejected the tainted air with great upheaval but as time passed he]is body became more accustomed to it accepting the taint as just another aspect of his continued existence. Xin began his morning search of the ruins in hunt of tasty morsels that might have borrowed their way into his domain as well as any new glyphs he might have missed. The patrol was meticulous and steady, at this point Xin had gotten his hunt down to an exact science which was made easier by the limited access he had. While the ancient compound might have been quite extensive his access was minimal thanks to the collapse of the surface and a doorway he still had yet to breach even though his attempts were numerous his successes were nill. Xin wasn’t sure how long he spent on his search but as it had been the last few searches he found nothing new or living as he had hunted his quarry to extinction. Feelings of doubt and depression weighed heavy on his shoulders as Xin let out a sigh of defeat shrugging his narrow bony shoulders. Sudden stabbing pain preceded the gurgling of his stomach reminding him of the urgency in which he needed to find something of substance to continue his existence on this mortal plane. Xin had spent the better part of his time hiding away from the blinding daylight in his sanctuary during the day and hunting for a few hours each night staying close as to not lose himself in the thickets. Desperation now force him out into the blinding light and among the predators of the day as he ascended up the overturned dirt and roots that created the earthen ramp he used to traverse up out from his sanctuary. Conscious of the breaks in the canopy Xin moved quickly but cautiously around the beams of light piercing the leafy rooftops. It was early in the day the local star light was still dim as he reached the top of the ramp and came out into the jungle floor. The forest floor always looked more vibrant at night but in the day it had its own beauty with flashes of colors and radiating energy Xin hadn’t seen in any holo or planet he’d visited before. Taking a moment to take in his surrounding the distant sound of creatures rustling and wind moving through the dense jungle filled his ears as fragrant smells replaced the nauseating smell of death from below. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Pulling firmly on a sturdy looking branch lodged into the ground Xin struggled momentarily in his weakened state. A sudden surge of strength he had felt many times in the past right before one of his incidents gathered inside him before the branch tore effortlessly free from its holdings and a great blast of air flung up sending dirt high into the air as an invisible wall tunneled up out through the canopy splitting it open. Xin had turned his head to avoid getting dirt into his eyes but unintentionally allowed the light piercing down through the new hole. Letting out a verbal hiss Xin leap many meters clearing the sudden blinding light and landing roughly in the base of a large tree. Pain shot up through his arm and back as he landed but this paled in comparison to the agony he felt throbbing in his eyes from looking directly up into the light. Anger at his miscalculation, pain from his eyes and aching body, and the frustration of being stranded here alone swelled up deep inside him as he let out a blood curdling scream that felt as if it shook the very core of the world. Xin’s eyes were still shut tight in pain but he could sense the sudden shift in the forest floor almost as if he was a part of it as well as the sudden panic from the creatures now screeching in fear and fleeing. Something was wrong Xin had known he was different but had never understood how and it scared him more than anything. He slumped down defeated and exhausted so much that even his stomachs continued reminder of how empty it was couldn’t rouse him. Feeling himself slip into unconsciousness Xin relaxed letting the calming sensation of the settling jungle wash over him letting himself go. Soon enough he slipped into blissful comma completely unaware of his changing surroundings. [/SIZE]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Location: Krant | Year: 831ABY | Time: Early Morning​

[member="Xin Moore"]​

Light streamed through the stained glass windows, making refractions of a beautiful rainbow light dance across caramel coloured skin. Dianah peeled her eyes open, slowly as to allow them to adjust to the brightness that assaulted the onyx orbs. Her weary gaze travelled around the room, finally coming to rest on the soundly sleeping figure of her soul mate, [member=Jaron Lesan]. She cracked a small smile, just enough to shake the rest of the daze sleep had left imprinted on her mind. He might be mad as hell when he wakes up, but Dianah never got the chance to be up before him, and she was going to make the most of it.

Slender form slipped from between silk sheets, careful to place bare feet on the tiled floor gingerly. The minute the cold began to seep into her skin, Dianah hissed. Ordinarily she would have withdrew right there and then. She would have pulled herself back into the sheets, curled up around the second half of her heart and warmed her feet right back up. But not today. Today she had woken up with the desire to hunt. It was a sensation she was altogether familiar with. It was comforting. It reminded her of home. Just like she used to with her Father, back before she had decided to move to Krant, Dianah would give in to those desires.

After a momentary pause in which she convinced herself getting up really was a good idea, Dianah finally rose from the plush mattress. Her feet made soft slapping sounds against the floor as she crept over to the wardrobe to pull out her hunting leathers. They were a shocking contrast to her usual set of armour. A thick beskar plated number, made to match her brother Ivum’s, but for hunting leather was always better. As quietly as she could, the young Knight readied herself and slipped out of the door.

The yet to be finished marble corridor had a cool atmosphere, even with the tight armour clinging to her like a second skin she could feel the chilled wind rolling through. Of course, the gaping holes in the side of the building weren’t helping with that at all, but Dianah was the one who had insisted they move in despite the construction still being incomplete. The icy breeze served her right. It was still early morning, the sun hadn’t had a chance to warm the place up yet, but that would change around midday. Dianah wanted to be out in the forest by that time, shaded by the canopy and comforted by the sounds of nature.

A gentle hum of conversation graced her ears as she passed the kitchens. Idle chatter by the staff, enough to keep them from noticing the caramel coloured woman slipping by the door. Dianah was grateful for it. If they had spotted here there would have been a barrage of questions that would have well and truly delayed her hunt by an hour at least. Thankfully, she made it to the big front doors without spotting a single soul. As she shoved them open with her shoulders she was greeted with a spectacular sight.

The rolling forests of Krant, emerald like in their beauty, revelling in the early morning sun. They stretched as far, further even, as her eyes could see. To some it might have been a simple sight. For truly, all it was was a forest. There was nothing remotely remarkable about it, but for Dianah? It was home. It was the inner peace she had abandoned when she left her family to start the path she was on now. She was eager to explore it, eager to return to the sanctuary it could offer, and by the looks of things it was eager to have her too.

The day passed with little excitement, but that was normally how hunting went. Dianah wondered the forest floors with feather like steps, waiting for the telling flash in her peripheral vision. The action was instinct by now, so Dianah let her other senses slip away. All she could hear was the steady, almost inaudible crunch of her boot against fresh leaves. All she could smell was the earth, the flora, the sweet morning dew on lush green leaves. All she could see was the light playing its otherworldly game between the gaps in the canopy. Until…

The Knight paused in her step, muscles freezing instantly in position. The coffee coloured lids over her eyes closed slowly, shutting off one of her senses. Dianah stayed this way for a few minutes. Simply feeling the air around her. Then all of a sudden, as if someone had sparked her back to life with a jolt of electricity, she began to walk. Not in any old direction, and no longer enjoying the casual hunt through the forest, but toward something she probably ought not to be near alone. The ruins of the Sith temple.

She knew what drove her there, what caused her feet to walk in that direction despite her attempts at convincing them otherwise. A swell in the force, enough to rock the very atmosphere around it. Emerald light cascading down from the canopy washed over her skin in waves, forming patterns of lime green that faded and waned with each of her careful steps. If Jaron were here he would have killed her already, just for even thinking about approaching the powerful fluctuation alone. The image she held of him in her mind fought with her briefly, mentioning that the wiser choice was to go home and return with aide, but Dianah wouldn’t listen.

Her feet carried her ever forward, following the signature all the way toward the base of an exceedingly large tree. As the signature grew clearer, Dianah was reminded of the comforting weight of her sabre at her side. With each step she took it smacked into her thigh, reminding her of its existence and urging her to use it should the need arise. Yet, as she reached the trunk and inched her way around it, she was met with what appeared to be… a child? Dianah’s expression immediately bore a deep confusion. Was he sleeping? Was he dead? Was this a trap?

Her fingers curled around the smooth horn hilt of her saber as her thumb reached for the ignition switch. It burned a violently bright pink, shaming any natural colour the forest dared hold against it. The Knight took a step forward, and then another, till the tip of her boot rested inches from the passed out figure. The lightsaber cracked the air around it, sending sparks of pink in all directions as Dianah brought it forward. Her stance was hardly threatening, but it was clear she knew how to use her saber and wasn’t opposed to doing so. It vibrant pink blade came to rest just by the ear of the pale, sleeping frame. Not close enough to injure him, but close enough for him to feel the blistering heat radiating from it.

With one ebony brow lofted, Dianah cleared her throat and allowed her bell like voice to trill through the forest. ‘Who in the ever loving kriff are you, and what are you doing passed out on my forest floor?’

 

[Xin Moore]

[SIZE=11pt]Xin stood motionlessly unable to move his body as he looked over the precipice of the mountain top high above the battle below. Two massive armies he couldn’t recognize clashed spilling blood on both sides as the combat ebbed and flowed as neither could truly overcome the other. Massive walkers stomped along the edges of the field sending missiles and turbo laser shots into the fray turning the tiny combatants below into mist of blood creating shock waves even Xin could feel perched high above. Then suddenly without warning, Xin could feel himself leaning out over the edge helpless as he took one step then another now dangling on the very edge of what he could only imagine being death. Panic erupted inside him as he tried to will himself back away from the edge but his body refused as if he was simply a passenger in this unfamiliar journey. Then it happened as his body jumped effortlessly out away from the cliff and began tumbling down the cliff edge. Xin screamed in horror as he fell but his body did not oblige him, instead his screamed echoed around inside his own mind. The ground was quickly approaching and the end was near he was sure of it as he tried to force his body to look away from the rapidly approaching oblivion. But still unable to compel his body to react it instead extended its black armored hand and with a familiar tingling sensation brought itself to a sudden but somehow gentle stop on the scorched dirt below him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The sounds of blaster fire, concussion missile explosions, and clashing of armor against Durasteel deafeningly echoed through his ears. The smell of spent munitions and burnt flesh wafted up into his nostrils as his body inhaled deeply. Xin had never before experienced combat outside of holovids and this was too real, too close, as he felt nauseous wanting nothing more but to get away from all of this. But still, he had no control and his head turned up from the ground looking out onto a nearby group of bulky armored soldiers as they assaulted in a furball trying to get the upper hand and score a killing blow with their viroblades that clashed repeatedly in quick succession. Xin could feel his body gesture something and once again the tingling sensation manifested as he watched one of the warriors in black armor rise up over the others. The poor creature dropped his weapon and flailed his extremities in panic as it attempted to get back to solid ground. An unfamiliar sinister laugh erupted from Xin’s mouth as he felt himself beckoning the helpless warrior towards him and with a snap of his fingers it did just that. With a burst of energy unlike anything, Xin had observed he watched the black armor plaything fly towards him with great speed. Xin felt his body instinctively react leaping forward into a roll as his hand grabbed for something on his waistband and extending it up high above him. A slight pressure could be felt as the warrior passed overhead but Xin couldn’t understand what had just happened. Xin fought hard but only managed to mentally exhaust himself as he tried to force himself to look back. As his body recovered from the perfectly executed tumble his head swung back over his shoulder and to Xin’s horror, the once lively creature was now motionless and split into two equal halves scattered over the battlefield like a discarded tissue. A fiery crimson light danced just on the edge of his peripherals but before he could even process his thoughts his body was on the move. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]With a sudden surge of strength and determination, Xin found himself rushing across the battlefield swinging the fiery crimson blade effortless through any who would stand before him regardless of what side of the field they were fighting for. Initially, Xin was in shock and horrified by his actions but as he continued to leap, slide, and slash his way across the field he almost felt enthralled and excited by the killing. Heads rolled, limbs dropped to the mid below, blaster rounds were reflected back into the unwitting attackers as his killing spree only grew with more fervor. Xin had gotten so caught up that he tried to will himself into another mass of soldiers hoping to bring them to a similar end he delivered to their comrades only meters behind him. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=11pt]A sudden wave of energy smacked Xin’s body forcing him to tumble backward barely catching himself before landing roughly against the muddy terrain. Xin could almost make out the sound of a voice but he was too entranced to process anything but the killing and whatever possessed his body seemed to be in line with this same feeling. His body planted its feet and turned towards the source of the wave, an elderly black human with a long grey beard and waving dreadlocks wearing a tattered brown robe stood upon the wreckage of a walker Xin had just brought down with a few quick swipes of his blade. Xin could see the old man had a green fiery blade of his own holding it near his chest almost in anticipation of the coming fight. His hand reached out first creating tiny sparks between his fingers then a great eruption of lighting dancing across the open-air between himself and the man before him. The bright flashes caused his eyes to squint slightly losing focus on his surroundings. The sensation of the power he felt was almost intoxicating, all Xin could think was how strong he was and how insignificant everyone around him was. That is when reality or at least what this was snapped and everything came crashing down upon him. A sensation first warm and calming but then transitioning to hot and almost unbearable washed across the side of his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the old man somehow standing upon him leaning in pressing the tip of his flaming green sword deep into the side of his face. The burning wouldn’t stop and Xin was helpless as he remained motionless enduring the agony. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=11pt]Xin let out a blood-curdling scream as he awoke rolling instinctively away from the warmth and out from the base of the tree. Xin’s body was weak and on the verge of collapse but his survival instinct was in full swing as he pushed up from the ground holding the stick out in front of him to confront the source of his pain. His vision was blurry and colors were faded to the point of blending together making it almost impossible for him to paint a clear picture of what was happening. The only thing Xin knew was that he was in danger but the high of his nightmare was still there and with confidence, he would typically never have Xin lunged swiping with his branch at the blurry figure before him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Back you foul creature!” Xin yelled at the top of his lungs while taking wide-sweeping strikes with his branch. [/SIZE]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The young Knight raised a solitary brow. What was this foriegn prey that had wandered into her hunting grounds? An Umbaran, clearly. Dianah knew them well, but what on Krant’s tall mountains was it doing here? Watching him with curious ebony eyes, the steady hand that held out her vibrant blade remained just far enough away for the heat to kiss the side of this poor soul’s face. Under different circumstances, perhaps Dianah would have been less wary of the face pressed into earth, but Jaron’s voice was clear in her mind. This could have been anything. A trap, a warning from her enemies, from her Father’s, from Jarons? Dianah wasn’t going to risk it just because the thing lying on the floor looked like a child.

The figure twitched, stirring as what Dianah could only assume to be a dream streamed through his mind. She could have simply finished him there. It would have been so easy, and rather enjoyable to watch the pink blade slip through delicate flesh. She could have done something similar with the force. She could have decorated the lush green forest in a violent spray of crimson. But instead, the knight simply stood, and watched. Just as the fringes of impatience had begun to creep over theshi’ido’s mind, the figure did a little more than twitch. In fact, the child sprag up from his position on the forest floor, sprightly and obviously acting on fear. It was almost tangible, even in the heavily humid forest air.

Dianah reacted instinctively. A bright streak of pink flashed through the air in response to the swishing of the stick that swung for her. There was a snap, followed by a hiss and the unmistakable crackle of flame as the blade bit through the branch. The forest floor protested the only way it knew how, by rustling the leaves that littered it, unsettled by the appearance of the charred stump ofbranch that now rested there. Dianah was partly perplexed and partly amused by the wild things attempt to defend itself. Perhaps the bravery shown was enough on its own to afford him a few more minutes to live.

‘Foul beast?’ The woman chortled, but there was a hint of distaste to her tone. ‘I gotta say, I’m not the most pleasant to look at in the mornings but I didn’t think I was that bad.’ Dianah pursed her lips, blowing gently to disturb the thick stream of black acrid smoke rising from the edge of the branch. ‘You’re even more of a fool than you seem if you think that…’ Once again the pink blade cut through the air, this time grazing the edge of the branch to indicate her meaning. ‘...would protect you against this.’ The young knight lent idly against the trunk of the tree. The vibrant sword fell to her side, entirely unperturbed by the layer of foliage that stood in its way. ‘So. Tell me now and tell me quickly, before this gets boring, who are you? Where are your parents? What in the kriff are you doing here on your own?’

[member="Xin Moore"]​