Wayward Soul

[Kassandra Zambrano]

Empress Teta - Cinnagar Bazaar​

Some years ago...​

Before the events on Luria, Kassandra Zambrano was halfway across the galaxy exploring the Deep Galactic Core. She was several years into her vagabond adventures, the name 'Zambrano' had never left her lips once since leaving Panatha. In its place was a mountain of different alias Kass had built up, carefully crafting over time. But today was different, it was one of the few occasions where she could just wander around as Kass.

No need to hide behind a mask or helmet.

Her intent today wasn't going to require any of her more...intimidating personas. Albeit she had it on record that she herself was fairly scary without anything else, which at the the time she didn't take quite well. Nor did the guy's face when she punched it. But after a time Kass had admitted to herself that it helped with haggling, which was going to come in handy today.

She was on Empress Teta, specifically in its capital city of Cinnagar. It was a juggernaut when it came to commerce, mostly occupied by a multitude of corporations. And while Kass had restocked her usual supplies, her attention was focused on the more humble side of the city. A sizable chunk of an area, put aside for what was generally considered a bazaar amongst the more advanced looking marketplaces that surrounded it.

The entire place was bright and colourful, a stark contrast to how bland and boring Kass looked. Plenty of oranges and reds as far as the eye could see, whereas Kass was adorned in blacks and grays; albeit with a bit of dark blue added to the mix. Either way, the towering woman stuck out quite a bit amongst the bustling crowds. Her height advantage making it very easy to see what was on offer, but nothing particularly interested her.

Until she caught sight a particularly large tent...

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

For many years, the exact number being unknown to even Zaz himself, he'd spent his days doing whatever pleased him in the given moment. Countless whims were fulfilled, some almost before they were finished conceptualizing. Bets were made, winnings were collected, and losses were cut. At times, all in the same breath. His lists of acquaintances covered a wide variety of professions, some that would raise eyebrows of the most stone faced of individuals.

Yet as each whim was fulfilled, Zazrael found himself growing only more bored.

It was the ultimate game - finding entertainment, let alone purpose, in a seemingly timeless existence. The entity clad in violet took on roles as they suited him. Some walked in the light of all that was good. Others, quite the opposite. And after who knows how long of playing these roles, one thing was clear. While the dark seemed to just bare more interest than the light, a life of perpetual gloom simply didn't suit him. He was, as one could put it, simply an agent of chaos.

It was by a whim that he set up shop in Cinnegar. The hustle and bustle of the commoner market places just amused him so. He could wander for hours, eavesdropping on passing conversations, take mental bets on whether the middle aged woman or the shop keep would come up on top as they haggled prices and deals, sometimes adding his two sense. He was, after all, a very charming person.

But he wasn't just there to observe. No, that was only half the fun. And just as he was an entrepreneur in the realm of personal wish fulfillment, he was also a business man. While many tents were adorned with the warm colors of a sunset, Zaz's stuck out in a vibrant purple, much like the man himself. And inside he would sit, almost in a state of meditation, waiting for that one spark to near his shop. Someone or something that'd just make a grand adventure.

When at last he did feel a tremor of the force, something akin to a spark of hope lit up inside him. Brilliant crimson eyes, lacking in any pupils, opened as he reached out in the force, tugging the entrance flaps of the tent apart and calling out. "Do come in," he called, never once leaving the makeshift throne of satin pillows that made up a good portion of his side of the tent. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Come, enjoy yourself a little." One could practically hear the lazy smirk.

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

During her travels Kass had learned a lot about the Force, mainly coming to the realization of how infinite it was. Both her father and teachers had taught her one way, one that naturally fit her. But the years across the galaxy had enlightened her to just how far reaching the Force was.

Beliefs that it touched every living thing, stretching across the cosmic.

That the Force had a hand in everything, things such as luck and chance. But Kassandra didn't believe in that, not fully anyway. There was always someone or something on the other end.

Like a siren's call.

So when she felt her attention get tugged, a subconscious urge to look left towards a particular destination; Kass knew. There was someone behind that, attempting to lure her in for what she assumed was to buy something. A neat trick, that she would admit. But it was the voice that shortly followed that caught her attention.

And made her frown.

Whoever was behind this was deliberating making themselves known, and that made her curious. And Kass had always been a creature of curiosity. So she shifted her course, moving through the crowd and towards the tent. Before she stepped through, Kass could just barely make out someone sitting on the far side.

But without any further hesitation, Kass pushed the flaps aside and walked in.

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

There were few things in the galaxy that could mimic the absolutely devilish grin Kass was met with the moment she stepped into that tent. Zazrael was lounging, his feet kicked back, his weight all in his shoulders, a glass of who knew what in his hand. While his shirt was comparatively bland to the rest of his person, its deep cut revealing a collarbone absolutely riddled with scars and tattoos, the overcoat folded up and resting off to the side was just as outlandish as the man himself.

In front of him, a table adorned with candelabras and incense that gave the tent itself a distinct scent. A deck of cards, decorated by intricate designs, rested in front of Zaz. On the other side of the table, a lone chair, positioned slightly ajar, as if waiting for someone to sit. A quick glance throughout the tent itself would present shelves just full of odd nick knacks and trinkets.

"Well aren't you a spectacle to behold," the man of lavender practically purred, making no move to get up from his perch. He let go of his glass, hands moving to clasp themselves in front of him, the cup itself remaining suspended in the air. "Oh, please do sit I suspect we have all sorts of things to talk about, now don't we? Relax, have a drink, get comfortable." Not once did his eyes leave the woman, not even as a gesture of his hand brought forth another glass of that dark liquid, setting it on the table in front of the open chair. Not once did that smile falter. "Tell me, what name did they grace you with?"

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

The moment she stepped inside, Kass' eyes were immediately focused on Zaz. Could anyone blame her though? He was the most outlandish thing in the room, even amongst all the colourful finery that surrounded them. It was the grin that mostly unnerved her, but Kass would neither admit it or openly show it.

Physically or through the Force.

Instead she frowned, looking around at the tent's interior. Kass' nose wrinkled as she inhaled some of the scent, it was pleasant but she couldn't shake the feeling it was merely a ruse - a means to get the customer comfortable. That, of her paranoia was overthinking things.

Her eyes fell upon the deck of cards next, and it quickly clicked just what exactly this stranger was offering. Kass was tempted to walk away, turn around and leave. She didn't need this...ploy, or whatever the man had up his sleeve.

But in that single step back she saw something, a glint in Zaz's eye. Kass was curious yes, but she was also competitive; and she wasn't about to turn away from a challenge.

With a grumble, she closed the distance and sat down at the table. She glanced down at the drink, but didn't touch it. Instead Kass just kept her focus on him.

"Kass, and yours?"

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

His smile widened with a smug little glint when she did at last sit at his table. For a moment there, it looked as if she would walk out of his tent and all its trinkets and boons. Which would've been a shame, no doubt, but not entirely surprising. Many found either his trade or demeanor - or sometimes both - too off putting. Zaz couldn't fault them for that, sure. Still, he always did hope those invited would stay. They made for such interesting stories.

And Kass did not disappoint. Zazrael was almost giddy with excitement, his hands clasping together once more in a bit of a clap before composure found its place once more. His hand returned to his glass, bringing it to his mouth perhaps too slow if one was not trying to make a show out of it. Which was exactly Zaz's purpose, taking his time and savoring the drink before acknowledging the woman's response. "Kass...A nickname perhaps? Smart - names have power. Let's see...You can call me Zaz."

His free hand reached out, palm forward to shake, the sleeve of his shirt not doing much to hid the many scars and tattoos that made up his bejeweled forearm and wrist. "And what brings you here, dear Kass? Care for a fortune?"

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

Kass immediately crossed her arms, bare muscle flexing slightly in a move of intimidation. She sized 'Zaz' up, giving no attempt to hide the fact. In her travels Kass had come across many different races, and if she were to place him amongst any, it would've been the Caprine.

The horns were a distinctive feature, but it was his humanoid shape that confirmed it for her. Unlike say the Komodi who were more draconic in shape.

But Kass had never seen a lavender-skinned Caprine, at least she was fairly certain it wasn't a common sight amongst their kind. Meaning this 'Zaz' was either truely unique - or a hybrid. But from the look of that smirk, Kass had a feeling it didn't matter with way.

He was using it to his advantage all the same.

"What, you mean aside from that little parlour trick to get my attention?" She returned the handshake, squeezing a tad harder than necessary. "Curiosity, I suppose." Mismatched eyes stared into red, Kass pulled away from the shake and crossed her arms once more.

"What is all this?"

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I believe." His hands lingered a little longer than necessary, taking in the pressure she applied without much care, as if the prolonged contact only gave him more information than intended. The already present smirk only tugged further at the corners of his mouth when she did pull away.

"Parlour tricks? My dear, you wound me." His eyes never shut, never once blinked nor looked away as his hands receded back to his half of the table, taking up cards and giving them a shuffle. "I simply gave out the invitation, you're the one who answered. Or perhaps it was fate, if you'd like to go that route. I'm not much of a fate person, myself. Can't say I fancy other beings' agendas." The cards slipped in and out of his hands with ease, accentuating each sentence in their own little manner.

"Oh, this and that." Setting the cards down, his hands made vague gestures to either side of him, indicating the shelves of baubles and nick knacks with no real partiality toward any of them. "I'm a collector of sorts. So how about it?" His hands returned to the cards, shuffling them all out into a fan of sorts, holding it out for Kass to pick from. "Care to entertain an old man?"

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

If there was one flaw most associated with her, it was the fact she wore her emotions on her sleeves. Kass was the type of person who didn't care about openly expressing them. So she didn't hesitate to frown when she caught Zazrael's smirk widen, simply from their handshake.

She was frustrated in that moment, and no doubt that in turn amused her 'host'.

"Fate is a fairytale, a tool of manipulation. That much we can agree on."

Kass utterly despised the notion. Stemming from the constant nagging received from her mother, especially at a young age.

Had to be this, and that. Had a duty as both the First-born and a Daughter of Vahla. That her very birth decreed she had to take the Ember.

She hated the thought of something unmalleable could be manipulating and playing a hand in what her future should be...unless she could obtain it herself.

Kass watched as the man shuffled the cards, his movements a flourish, almost mesmerising before her eyes. Her attention never wavered from him, even when he lazily waved his hands to the room around them. All Kass was focused on was Zaz, and in that moment a spark of a thought crossed her mind.

"You talk of fate and not favouring it, and yet is this not just a charade of fate's hand?" Arms still crossed, she stretched one out to gesture down at the cards. Kass didn't go for them immediately, instead just attempting to stare Zazrael down.

But curiosity still ruled, and Kass obliged. She took a single card displayed before her.

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

So many people tried to hide things from Zaz. They guarded secrets like they were stolen treasures - a fun game to uncover, certainly, but seldom worth the effort. Each little projection of emotion Kass made amused him greatly. It truly was so very fascinating to read one like an open book, perhaps more so now that next to no effort was put into it on his part.

And yet, Zaz wondered how long the novelty of it all would last. Perhaps it was for the best that Kass had refused him any information beyond a name, one of which he was fairly certain wasn't a full name. It kept him wondering, fending off boredom that'd otherwise seep in soon enough.

"Mayhaps, but a tool has its purpose, no?"

He leaned back into his collection of pillows, the cards once again being sat down on the table, his glass returning to his hand. "Well? Let's see the card, shall we?"

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

As innocent as everything around her seemed, Kass still couldn't shake the feeling of danger she was getting from her host. He had an air about him that was shrouded in mystery; cunning and curious. She got the impression that this was just a facade, or one of many faces he had stored away for different occasions and purposes.

How literal the latter was...Kass didn't want to know.

"True, but a tool can easily be wasted if it's misused."

Kass looked down at the card, a finger running across the back of it. She had felt something when she had picked it, as though there was a slight tug in the Force for barely a second. Easily missed if you weren't already paranoid and suspicious.

With nothing else to do, she flipped the card around and placed it on the table.

It was picturesque, in a rather charming way. Depicting a pair of moons in the sky, with a large wolf-like creature staring up at them from the ground, along with a smoldering pyre in the distance.

Duality.

Kass recognized what it symbolized, but was concerned over how specific it was. Especially the pyre, reminding the woman of her faded history with the Ember of Vahl. But surely it was simply a coincidence....right?

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

Zaz was no stranger to the grand facades people took on. Why, he practically invented a few of them. Each passing moment he held the little guise he had in the palm of his hand. It'd be a simple matter to simply dash the guise away with a flick of his wrist, to reveal his true nature. That, of course, was assuming he had such a nature to display. Countless years masquerading as whatever suited him could've easily dashed away any sort of original form, just as it was entirely possible that said form of sorts simply melded into his many other personas.

There was a flicker in those crimson eyes as Kass drew a card. He could feel the little tug. Why, it was entirely possible it was, by some extension, his doing. Nevertheless, such a tremor was one he took to be a good sign. It meant for interesting company - a shiny new toy he'd be reluctant to let go.

"Ah, this one," his voice was more of a purr as he leaned forward from the cushions, his free hand moving to trace the edges of the card. He waited a moment, studying Kass' features before continuing. "You're being pulled in every which direction, aren't you?" As his finger traced the card, his pace increased suddenly, dragging his skin into the card, drawing blood. His hand rose, letting his person examine the finger.

"Now that's fun," he practically sung the last line, a single bead of blood pouring from his finger, strategically placed onto the center of the card. "I'll admit, you have me more curious than before. Just who are you?"

​

Kassandra Zambrano​

 

[Kassandra Zambrano]

It was too late.

The moment Zazrael touched the card, Kass knew her chances of walking away were gone. She had his attention now, and it wasn't going to be easy to push him away. Instinctively, she lifted her hand, but stopped just shortly above her lap. But it was still clear as day she had went for something; a thing that wasn't there.

It seemed her caution earlier in the day had come back to bite her on the arse.

Whereas Kass used her stature to intimidate, having a giant blade strapped to her back added to the effect. The sight of it usually deterred anyone who thought they could take her on. It was something the woman often relied on, to make a potential headache of a situation become a lot more simpler.

But even if she had her weapon, Kass still hesitated, because something in her warned her against it. Zazrael Lux didn't look impressive. Sure he was flashy, colourful and unique, but physically he didn't appear as much. And yet Kass felt her survival instinct screaming at her to not be hostile, that provoking the man's curiosity was much better than his ire.

Hopefully anyway.

"I'm just Kass" she spoke plainly. Her hand reaching for the glass that had been previously poured for her. Taking a sip of it before she continued. "Some call me Kassie, but I hate that name."

[member="Zazrael Lux"]​

 

[Collector]

"Well, yes, I know your name." His hand retreated from the card, bloodied finger brushing over his lower lip, leaving a light trail of blood that was then wiped away as his tongue ran itself over his lips. "What you go by, at least. But names, titles, bah, so boring. You know the right name, you know them all. What you're called doesn't interest me at the moment. Who you are, however," a sudden inhale briefly interrupted his speech. "Now that's a mystery I think I'll enjoy uncovering."

He paused once more, downing the majority of his drink. His eyes slid shut in the moment, making a show of savoring the liquid before snapping back open, the solid red once again resting on the woman in front of him. A flick of his rest brought forth an ornate bottle which refilled his glass then rested on the table. "Interesting drink, isn't it?" He didn't wait for a response. "Arkanian wine, I believe, at its base, with a couple extra somethings. Perfect for a drink among friends." His eyebrow arched with that statement.

"And this does mean that we are friends, no?"

[member="Kassandra Zambrano"]​