The path of revenge begins with on a cold platter...

[Kimiko Taiyou]

​

Illum​

​

The Cyaron descended through the icy planet's atmosphere and immediately lost sight of anything below. They were in white-out conditions in the night time...what a time to visit.

The group was paying a visit to planet after hearing rumors that the ancient Jedi crystal caves may still have some life within. It was exciting to the de-facto leader who recently lost her original in batlle. To get a new one, more unique this time thrilled her. Her student was along to assist, and both were bundled up like the universe was ending. Her own confidant and mentor was along for the ride in support. She was happy for this as well.

They couldn't see his ship with their eyes, but with scanners they were just behind them in the descent.

Tsubasa was manning the helm skillfully under the watchful eye of Chika as the rest of the crew went about landing procedures. Nozomi, was along as well, begrudgingly, only to observe and learn even more about the wider Galaxy. Especially after hearing of these 'magic crystals of mystic power'. She wanted too see for herself. Ki was babysitting the much older woman...yay.

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax's own ship shuddered as the gale force winds buffeted the vessel. While his pilots were skilled, even they couldn't make nature yield to them. The Rogue braced himself against the wall of the cargo hold, as it swayed once more. "Opening the bay doors now Marshall!" came Halzynn's voice over the intercom. In his snow gear, Dax looked like a damn TaunTaun made man. And he definitely looked like one as the wind and snow blew into the vessel while he sprinted and leaped out.

Landing in the snow with a crunch, he turned around and gave the all clear to the Azalea which began to ascend once more to orbit. The Marshall was afraid if the vessel stayed, it'd become frozen and stuck till around the middle of the day cycle...which many standard days away. "Alright Ki, I'm groundside. Tell Tsubasa her uncle would appreciate it if she didn't accidently crush him!"

[member="Kimiko"] | [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

The Tusken was glad to be off his home world again. Even more so since he had more of a purpose. It wasn't until pretty recently that he found out that this planet had kyber crystals in it. A'Runda made his own lightsaber out of a Krayt Dragon pearl. But perhaps he'll find his own crystal. He had heard that all the jedi back in the day had to find one unique to them. So with that in mind it was certainly possible he thought.

He'd never actually been to a planet so cold, to it was kind of a shock for the Tusken to want to put on more layers. But he bundled himself up. Like like an arctic variant of the sand people. The front of his mask poking out from his hood. A'Runda was certainly ready to help his master get herself a new lightaber and crystal. "Kimiko, have you been hear before. I Imagine so, since you used to have a lightsaber right." Personally he wasn't aware of the few other places that these crystals grew.

[member="Dax Fyre"]
[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Tsubasa attempted not to chuckle at the transmission she received from the Azalea and Ki saw the amusement in her and Chika's eyes.

Ki turned to look at A'Runda,"Believe it or not, no. My first crystal was a gift from my first mentor. It did become mine however when I first meditated with it, turned it a light green in color and it had a certain resonance to it."

The woman moved her body around under the ridiculous amount of layers she had donned. Her ears were even pressed against her head which was causing some discomfort. But she would deal.

The ships touched down in the deep snow not long after, positioned on an outcropping nearby the cave's entrance,"Anybody else fair their chances in the snow is welcome to come with."

She was met with shaking heads, and disapproving looks. Except for the other Kitsune who silently stood and made her way to Ki's side. To this, she sighed,"Fine." she turned to the two who were going,"Shall we meet up with Dax?" Nozomi responded with a beaming smile.

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax awaited the others to meet him, the cold fogging his goggles on the inside, bits of frost forming on the out. Rubbing his hands together, he created small sparks, and then brought his hands to his face, blowing into them. A small flame flared with every blow and he warmed himself a small amount by this.

From what Dax knew, she'd also taken on a new apprentice. Her first, if he was not mistaken. While he was here only to supervise, the others would be searching for their new crystals.

He looked around as he waited, taking in what he could through the snow. He'd been here once long ago, and he remembered it as both a wonderful and terrifying experience at the same time. When a giant creature tries to eat you that tends to happen.

[member="Kimiko"] | [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

"Hmm..." A'Runda thought to himself. He didn't know that one could turn a crystal into their own through sheer meditation. Quite and interesting bit of information that could potentially come in handy.

The Tusken was sure that he was gonna have a lot more to learn surprisingly. There was already so much he'd learn about the Force, and yet he seemed to have only scratched the surface.

He watched as one of the crew members seemed to want to join them, and venture out into the harsh tundra like environment. He had only learned recently that they were going to meet someone else here. Someone by the name of [member="Dax Fyre"]. Apparently him and [member=Kimiko] were long time confidants. Nonetheless the Tusken was more then ready to brave the snow, and set out to help his master get a new crystal and maybe even find one to call his own.

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The blizzard swirled into the cargo bay as the ramp lowered and allowed the chill to enter the space. Ki shivered beneath her layers wondering if she had time to put on more...probably not. Cold wind blew at the group's feet, causing the female's tails. Nozomi did not seemed fazed at all which Ki was amazed at. She apparently had some form of Force connection and was considered a mystic. But the mystery of the specifics were still coming in. It also surprised Ki when the other woman stepped forward first.

"Yan~ Our friend is waiting out there. Let's get this adventure started yes?" her gaze and smile drifted over Ki and A'Runda before she stepped forward into the storm.

Kimiko stood bewildered before looking at her student before following after Nozomi.

This should be interesting...

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda']

 

[Dax Perl]

The Rogue could see the multiple of the tails before he could see the figures that they belonged to. Waving his arms to get their attention, and ensure they knew where he was, the man waited until they reached him.

"Ki, Matriach Toujou." Dax greeted them, bowing to the Matriarch. Turning to the last of the three, he offered a frosted, gloved hand, "And you must be the new apprentice. Grand Marshall Dax Fyre. Pleasure to meet you." The Rogue had to speak loudly, attempting to shout over the din of the howling winds. "You're in good hands, Ki's got a lot to teach."

[member="Kimiko"] | [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

A'Runda watched as the two of them made their way out of the ship's cargo hold. After which he followed them into the tundra like environment. He felt like he didn't need to worry about snow getting all up in his face or potentially going snow blind. He knew it could get cold in the nights of Tatooine, and for the longest time didn't think it could get colder then that. But being here proved himself wrong.

Peering through his mask he looked though the snow covered air and saw a shadow emerge from it as they approached. As they waved, so did he in return. As they got closer and saw who it was he was reminded that they would have company. When they introduced themselves A'Runda nodded. "I'm A'Runda, of clan Rok'urkus." That probably sounded cooler then it really was. Clan Rok'urkus wasn't anything special. "It's nice to meet you too. But yeah, Kimiko has already taught me a lot."

[member="Dax Fyre"]
[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Their introduction had gone smoothly, Ki watching in cold silence with an elated smile. Her ears, though squished, still picked up the crunching of snow beneath feet. Head snapped in the general direction of the sound and her eyes could barely make out Nozomi's figure disappearing into the snow.

She looked back to the other two,"I don't think we should let her get to far, especially in these conditions! But knowing how sensitive she is, she might end up in some sort of trouble!" Ki screamed over the howling wind that seemed to pick up upon her revelation.

The woman wasted no time and turned to begin after her...

Meanwhile...

The cold wind blowing in somewhat familiar patterns blew around her and reminded her of...what exactly she could not place. Nozomi wandered for several minutes, seemingly not bothered by the blizzard, before stopping to listen...

The faint sound of flowing water caught her ears, just like it did in the mountains back home. When she was on her pilgrimage to the sacred place, the water had led her. Maybe now, it was leading her, and her companions, somewhere of interest...

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[Dax Perl]

The Rogue turned and began to follow the woman closely, occasionally looking over his shoulder to make sure the Tuskan was still with them. How did the woman run away from them so quickly? The Rogue began to call out for the Matriarch, finding she was nowhere in sight. Either the snow had obscured her, or she had somehow disappeared into thin air. Only one of those was possible.

[member="Kimiko"] | [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

A'Runda walked along with them. Already into their trip and they were facing problems. The Tusken shook his head to himself. The weather reminded him of the sand storms on his home planet, and how the Tusken language sometimes sounded like the howling winds. However, if one had trained ears they could be able to pick out the difference between the winds and the call of a Tusken.

However, A'Runda did know that they had sensitive ears. Perhaps they could be able to make out the difference between the wind and him if he spoke his native tongue. "Arrgh!?" (Hello!?) A'Runda shouted out from behind. Perhaps that was enough to get lead them back to the three of them.

[member="Dax Fyre"]
[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

By the time Ki had caught up to her otherworldly kinswoman, she had started to move once again. Barely motioning for Ki to follow. She grunted in frustration and fell in line behind her. The storm seemed to pick up as they crested the ridge, but she swore she could hear something else above it. Curious, she sent out slight tendrils of herself to Dax and A'Runda, just to lead them towards their position. Hopefully they'd all make it to where ever Nozomi was leading them...

It didn't take long for the women to find an outcrop near the base of the mountain, sheathed inside thick ice. They quickly ducked inside, finding the shelter comforting compared to the storm outside.

"Care to explain what that was all about Nozomi?" Ki asked in a bit of frustration removing her hoods.

Nozomi smiled playfully, looking at Ki over shoulder,"Oh, but there is something that drew me here. It feels as if it is the pond at the end of a stream...calm and tranquil. But, there is something within that pond that is specifically for you to disturb, my Queen." cryptic as always.

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda']

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax swore as Ki also faded slowly out of sight, trailing after her kinsman. Having spent his life on Tatooine and a couple other desert planets, Dax barely recognized the cry of the Tuskan over the howling winds.

"A'runda? You alright man?" Dax called back, looking over his shoulder, trying to make sure he didn't lose sight of the last of their group. The blizzard was brutal, and as much as Dax hated deserts, he hated snow just as much. The Rogue had to cast out his Force presence to ensure that Ki and Nozomi were still ahead of them and keep track of them.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[A'Runda]

Walking along with the three of them he heard Dax call out to him. "I'm good, just seeing if I can call out to her." A'Runda thought it was a clever idea in his head. But perhaps he was a little mistaken. Nonetheless it didn't seem to work.

Eventually the three of them seemed to stumble upon a cave. Finally finding the one that wondered off. He too stepped into the cave, probably a little less eagerly then his master did considering that the cold didn't bother him all too much. She said that something drew her to the cave. He somewhat felt a presence as well. But not to the extent that Nozomi did he figured. But then again he wasn't really on the hunt for any Kyber Crystals or what ever the planet had to provide. But from the sounds of it, Nozomi might be onto something for Kimiko. "Kimiko, if she's right, this might be where you can find what you're looking for."

[member="Dax Fyre"]
[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Ki looked at the cryptic fox dumbfounded, panting in the effort to remove several layers,"And what exactly does that mean?" it was at this time Ki's two companions caught up to them and would be met with a quizzical glance from her.

"I mean there is something that is calling to you within. Can you not hear it?" she looked at Ki half serious half seemingly about to make a smart-ass comment...

...but she didn't...

She just sat down on a rather conveniently placed rock and seemed to begin meditating. Ki looked at her friends dumbfounded. Turning her attention back to Nozomi, she huffed and strode up beside the now silent woman and sat with her. She listened, attempting to tune in on the source that was spoken of. It took her a moment, several, before a different sound than the howling wind. It was subtle at first, but familiar. Water in it's purest, sitting still in a shallow pool...

...something glowing at it's heart...

Her eyes shot open and she found herself staring into another set inches from her face,"You..."

"You heard it?!" Nozomi cut in and did a mock cheer,"Now, before this moment slips from your grasp, go get it!"

She nearly yanked Ki's arm out pulling her up and tossing her deeper into the small cave...where there was a convenient opening...

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[Dax Perl]

Dax entered the cave and took off his hood, followed by his googles and face wrap. The others had already gathered here and the Rogue nodded, alongside Nozomi. Although he couldn't hear what the other two did, he could feel what they did, "I believe that's what you came here for Ki." There wasn't much else for the others to do now, except let the fox-woman find her crystal.

Dax could remember each time he'd come for a crystal and the call they made to their holders. While it had been different each time, it had felt as if they'd been in tune with him, a kind of harmony. When the Jedi had said the 'crystal is the heart of the blade, the heart is the crystal of the Jedi' it had a very literal meaning. The blade and the wielder truly had to be one.

[member="Kimiko"] | [member="A'Runda"]

 

[A'Runda]

Unlike his friends, the Tusken didn't put his hood down, to be honest he kind of forgot about it. But he'd watch with observant eyes at what was going on. As it seemed that they meditated he looked around the cave some and back outside at the storm. It very much reminding him of his home planet. Just with snow instead of sand.

He spun around though, almost falling over on the icy ground. Seeing as Nozomi nearly pulled his masters arm out of her socket. Then as she tossed her down the cave some more. After that he looked at [member="Dax Fyre"] and asked, "Well, uh, do we follow her. Or are these supposed to be more personal experiences." A'Runda said before looking back to Nozomi. It was clear that the Tusken was a little lost.

[member="Kimiko"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Ki gave one last apologetic look to her friends before looking at Nozomi with a glare.

Nozomi just smiled in her oddly cheery way,"Go go, your future awaits you my Queen." emphasizing with the waving of her hands.

Kimiko sighed, shooting Dax an apologetic smile, then disappearing into the deeper cave. Nozomi waited a few seconds before turning around to the other two and grinning, she quipped,"So, while we wait, what shall we discuss?"

---Meanwhile---

Ki had started the journey into the depths of the icy cave. The walls were slick and reflected strange images of her stark white attire back at her. It had been a pretty straight shot until the first intersection...that had six branches...

She groaned in frustration,"Feth it all! How am I supposed too find anything in this Gods forsaken cave?!" the last words echoed endlessly through the darkness, her ears allowed her that much.

[member="Dax Fyre"] [member="A'Runda"]

 

[Dax Perl]

The Rogue nodded to [member="A'Runda"], "Yes, finding one's crystal is a very personal process." he told him as he smiled back to Ki, giving her a nod. The man turned back around to the Tusken, "You haven't attuned your saber have you," he asked, no in an accusatory way, merely curious. The man had seen that the Tusken carried a saber of his own, but he couldn't feel the presence of the Force in it.

As Nozomi addressed the two present he immediately turned around and asked, "What in the feth did you mean when you said 'mates'?" That question had been burning a hole into Dax's mind since she had first met him. Now this, this tone of voice was the slightest bit accusatory.

[member="Kimiko"]