Tempest

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

Herzinth said
And yes this includes up

OH YEAH? Well what about DOWN? Didn't think about that, huh, did ya? ; P

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

Rayvon

Normal
Level-up: Defender
New: Raw Talent

Custom
Level-up:
--Divine Martyr lvl 2: Rayvon now has a cleansing aura. All things within the area are less prone to the effects of corruption. She herself now naturally cleanses corruption of herself over time.
New:
--The Spellsword lvl 1: Ryvon has the talent to imbue raw magic in some form to her equipment. Grants a slight magic property bonus to either attack of defense with the equipment.

Maeven

Normal
Level-up: Sharp
New: Slippery

Custom
Level-up:
--Mechanist Matron Lvl 2: Maeven has begun experimenting upon Fafnir in order to make him a better dragon then ever. He now can be customized to better service her needs. Unlocks two customizable slots for him.
New:
--Interchangable Parts lvl1: Maeven has begun to better understand her mechanist talents. She now has the capability to overhaul her creations completely outside of missions. Inside missions, she can do on the fly repairs and alterations outside of combat. This ranges from swapping out soulstones to change the effects in her gear to changing out parts to change the function of her equipment. This talent also applies towards other mechanist items that she comes across, given her cursory knowledge of what makes creations tick.

Return of the Force 2.

Welcome to Korriban: A collab of Siths and Minors

---

Azazel noms another thing of her frozen spiced cocoa as she waits for the pilot to announce there arrival. Nearby, Kitt is working on readjusting her combat armour to her small frame in a fit. More often than not, the diminutive Echani smacks the armour and looses a growl of frustration. Azazel looks at her uncertainly before allowing her gaze to move back ahead. Most of the others had taken off to The Wheel or had been given their own tasks before even leaving Tapani Space. She sniffs and takes another huge glob in her mouth as she looks about. Even Hakkri was no longer with her right now. For the best, really, he would just make this mess with Andrea even worse.

She frowns and tries to sink down into her throne and hide behind her mug. Andrea must still be furious after all she had done to betray her trust. Azazel frowns, feeling her heart continue to sink. Perhaps Andrea would still be furious. She sighs, “Do you think I could go and hide in my chambers now? Just sleep?...”

Kitt huffs, “You've hardly slept the whole way here. What makes you think you'll start now?” She growls and jams a tool against the armour and dents it inward to fit her frame better. The armour had been designed for some of the larger crew.

The pilot pipes up, “Approaching Korriban now, exiting Hyperspace. Establish communication for clearance.”

Azazel winces and draws her mug closer to herself, sipping some of the melted creamy chocolate into her mouth. The crew began to busy as the communication officer duo started doing a new game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine the poor sod to talk to Andrea. The woman lost this time and appeared to be ready to clock the other violently over the head before she flushes, seeing Azazel overhead and gets to work establishing the line. “This is The Dagda, requesting permission to land. Please don't blow us up,” she tacks on with a slight plead in her voice.

The Dark Rebirth went to battle stations the second a ship had been identified entering the system and approaching Korriban. Reneva looked at the charts and once identification came through ordered everyone to stand down at the same time that the Dagda contacted them, she herself responded. "This is captain Reneva Shitha of the Dark Rebirth, welcome to Korriban. We have been expecting you, I have orders to request the lady Azazel to get to the surface, a guide will be provided who will take her before Andrea." And that was all she was allowed to say, frowning over the cryptic command she had gotten from Andrea herself before she had herself locked away.

The communications pair look at Azazel with befuddled expressions as Azazel slumps back in her chair after sitting at the edge in anticipation. “This is either going to be very bad... or surprisingly decent.” Kitt snorts and jams the tool against her armor once more before slinging it on. Azazel looks at her in confusion, “What are you doing?”

“Coming with you, of course,” she snaps, not even bothering to look up as she does up the snaps. Azazel rolls her eyes and stands up, going to prepare herself as the ship made to land.

As Azazel finishes up, adjusting her robes carefully, she makes her ways down and out, where Kitt was already waiting in full armour. Azazel crooks a brow at her and the Echani fails to respond, just looking dead-ahead at the approaching guide. Azazel shakes her head and goes up to meet her. “What's going on? Why didn't Andrea come to meet me personally?”

Darth Khanna bowed and was about to utter a welcome to the other sith when she started asking questions rapidly, she closed her mouth and then opened again after a moment to respond to Azazel's questions. "Lady Andrea is somewhat occupied, but she did leave us orders that you were to be taken before her no matter what her current status was." She smiled and gestured, "If you would follow me to her quarters, though I think you know the way, then you can understand the need for this."

"KHANNA!" Came a sudden shout and the Dathomiri disciple stiffened and turned around, Rhak-skuri was marching towards the landing pad, clearly furious. "IS IT TRUE!?" She all but snarled.

Khanna remained calm however, "Is what true?"

The Togruta growled, ignoring Azazel. "I have been requesting a meeting with Andrea for days and no reply but when... she arrives." She glances at Azazel with disdain before turning back to Khanna. "She gets a escort to be brought before Andrea right away!? This is outragious!"

Fire begins to flicker about Azazel's arms and shoulders as she turns upon Rhak-skuri. Kitt, however, was far quicker to react and lurches forward, slamming her elbow into Rhak'skuri's back and setting her into a submission hold, threatening to break an arm. “You will hold your tongue and respect the Lady Azazel.” She applies a little pressure, fury glinting in her eyes that was just now getting a chance of outlet after holding it in the whole journey. “I'm just as upset about this turn of events,” she hisses under her breath to Rhak'skuri alone. “But I'll be damned if some pissant is going to stress Azazel right now.” Her eyes briefly dart to Azazel as the flames were beginning to die out already. Azazel frowns and wraps her arms protectively about herself, worried about her own anger flaring up and causing unnecessary risks.

Rhak-skuri was about to unleash her lightning but stopped as she feld the cold steel of Khanna's lightsabre pike pressed against her forehead. "We are not to question our mistress, she requested to see Azazel right away when she arrived so that is what I am going to do." Rhak-skuri glared but she seemed no longer wanting to fight it. "Good."

Khanna turned back to Azazel, "My apologies for the interuption we are under some stress after lady Andrea locked herself away from us... from most of us. This way please." She began leading Azazel and Kitt through the halls of Korriban Academy, Azazel noting the increased presence of guards and patrols and the six Tuk'ata following in their wake as they reached the corridor leading to Andrea's chambers... and noticed Darth Reave who ignited her saber and the ten Sun guard levelling their blasters.

Khanna raised her hands, "Be at peace, I bring Azazel with me." The Sun Guard turned to Reave who nodded and turned off her lightsaber. "As I said, apologies but we are all acting under strict orders of Andrea herself." They entered the chambers of Andrea, redecorated after the fire.

Khanna went to a panel and pressed a combination she had been shown and a section of the wall slid away, revealing the hidden elevator in Andrea's chambers, she stepped upon it. "If you would follow me... and only you lady Azazel, your bodyguard has to remain here."

Azazel frowns, seeing the secret passageway and begins to step forward. Kitt begins to go to match her stride before Azazel reaches out and blocks her way. “Wait here for now, little bird. You mean well, but I would rather you wait here.” She muses with a slight smile, “Have an escape route for myself ready, just in case. Sound like a plan?”

Kitt frowns and shrugs, moving to sit upon the bed as she glares icily at Khanna. It was unspoken, but definitely there, the suggestion if anything were to happen to the Sith, hell would have no fury greater than her own.

Azazel smiles and shakes her head before moving forward and gesturing for Khanna to activate the elevator down. It does suddenly come to mind, that perhaps this was where Andrea had stumbled off to the morning they had last seen each other.

The six Tuk'ata who had been following them also got on the elevator and travelled down into the hidden depths of the academy, reaching the giant sith alchemy lab Andrea had build for her experiments. As they arrived Khanna gestured, "The Tuk'ata will lead the way, I was told to only bring you here."

As Azazel got off Khanna used the elevator to go back up, one of the sith hounds gently nudged Azazel and took the lead, moving past several alchemical apparatuses and led her deeper into Andrea's private sanctum.

Azazel reaches out and idly brushes over the head of the Tuk'ata that nudged her, eyes going out over the area and scanning it. Workbenches, cages, other alchemical devices. Her lips tug into a frown at the scale of which Andrea had done so much in secrecy. Her imagination begins to run as she considers just what the other Sith had been up to down here that had so pushed away her disciples and left them on edge. A chill runs down her side as she advances.

A loud growl comes from ahead and the Tuk'ata Matriarch Azazel had met before suddenly blocked their path, it sniffed the air, recognizing her scent and moved aside, allowing her to pass.

"Khanna is that you?" Came a voice and Trizz walked into view, putting away some pieces of medical equipment. "You won't believe...." She trailed off, seeing Azazel. "Ah, well. That's awkward, nice timing though." She Gestured behind her. "She seems to be expecting you." She too stepped to the side, allowing Azazel to move past her.

The first thing Azazel saw was the medical table, various medical monitoring devices, which had recently all been in use. Dried up blood on the table and on the ground around it, Andrea's armour lay nearby, empy, discarded.

The rustle of clothes would make Azazel look away and see a figure just finishing putting on black robes.

Horror begins to fuel her and Azazel wheels about, shrouding herself in force protection and lightsabres suddenly flaring to life in her hands, ready to attack as she turns about the figure moving in the robes. Her mind races that she must be too late. Traiserus must have already descended and covertly managed to subvert Andrea's followers and remove her silently. Her eyes wide stare at the figure ready to set it in flames as her heart races. It was too soon, she had meant to have her followers with her for this moment. “Reveal yourself!” she shouts, a terrified croak in her voice as she backpedals. She would take out Khanna first and flee this facility. Kitt could handle some of the warriors, certainly. Or she could flood the chamber they resided within with fires and cook them all, flee over their corpses. Yet, they were in a secluded world and she had no idea how many perhaps the sith had gotten to.

The figure froze and turned, as if to glance at the intruder and then, perhaps unexpectingly to Azazel, began to chuckle, a very familiar chuckle. "Is that any way to greet me? I thought.. during our last conversation, we agreed to talk things out and not resort to violence." Came Andrea's voice, though Azazel should note that it seemed, changed, just a little.But if she reached out with her senses, she could clearly recognize the essence of Andrea pulsing like a beacon of the force before her.

She swallows back her fear and raises a lightsabre pointed at Trizz and the other at the cloaked figure as she takes a step back. Uncertainty floods her. Just what was Traiserus capable of. It could be a trick of the force meant to addle her. The voice was off, it could be a genuine slip-up of his. “Reveal yourself, now,” she hisses, cold fury and honest confusion nesting in the pit of her stomach in a tangled mess. “I have no patience for games.”

She turned around completely, "Well you do seem rather anxious... and shame, I wanted to play a game but fine, now do not be alarmed as I reveal myself, I have been... reborn, Azazel." She said softly as she reached for her hood and removed it, revealing her new features proudly. Her transformation was compelte and without complications.

Her skin was dark red, slight bone protrusions were present at her cheeks, chin and forehead and her eyes were now yellow as she looked at Azazel with a smile. "It's me Azazel, I am changed, reborn... as a genuine pureblood Sith..." She grinned, "I rather hoped this reunion would involve no lightsabers.... unless... we use them like I did on you at the end of our first meeting." She purrs.

Her lightsabers clatter to the floor, going out as she stares at the pureblood, confusion in her eyes. This had to be a mind trick. Her hands go up, working through her hair as she clutches her head and attempts to drive out any influencing forces. There was nothing, though. No tricks. She shudders, looking back up as she takes a step back. Her master had been right to be fearful of her tomb plundering, then. Something had taken hold of Andrea, certainly. “This... This simply cannot be,” she rasps out. First, Gra'tua finding the long thought extinct Taung. And now a pureblood before her very eyes...

Andrea chuckled again, "Well I have to admit it was rather painful to go through... it involved a lot of my power... a intact strain of sith pureblood DNA I gathered from one of the tombs. My knowledge of Sith Alchemy and finally a lt of patience. But I managed it Azazel, I became... I am... a true sith pureblood. Even the Tuk'ata think I am a sith pureblood, my transformation is a success... I wanted you to be the first to see it." She bit her lip. "I... I hope you are not... scared... or disgusted by this?"

Azazel halts her retreat, staring at Andrea. It was there, glimpses of her old appearance at the edges of the transformation. Small gestures completely a part of her lover that she had grown to enjoy seeing. She frowns, uncertainty flaring up once more in wake of her confusion. “It really is you?...”

She snorts, "Do I have to prove it by saying out loud where your most sensitive erogenous zones are?" She purrs again, "Or even better... show it by caressing over them with my actual hands and fingertips..." She grins and then smiles softly, "It really is me Azzie."

She strides forward and sweeps Andrea into a tight hug, kissing her deeply with a whine. “Idiot, don't scare me like that,”she nuzzles against Andrea, frowning as she tries to get comfortable given Andrea's changes and her own distended belly. “I thought Traiserus had gotten here already,” she whimpers, nuzzling in against Andrea's neck.

She purrs again, kissing back and tracing over Azazels back. "As if I would let some pretender take my planet from me." She snorts and smiles, kissing Azazel deeply again, hungrily, not wanting to let go of her lips. She had been afraid they would be fighting, either iwth words or lightsabers but the moment Azazel had closed the gap and kisses her she had felt such joy to be reunited with her lover again. "I am sorry I did not... tell you... but I did not want you to worry..." She bit her lip, "And gotta admit... kinda wanted to surprise you.... with this change of mine... what do you think?"

She reaches up, softly tracing along the spurs of Andrea's face. “It... will take some getting used to...” she leans in and licks along one of the spurs along her cheek. “But... it does suit you...” Her hand shifts, caressing through Andrea's hair. “Everything went alright with this, though?...” she frowns, looking over Andrea's face, “There are no concerns left with it?”

She grinned and kissed Azazel again. "Mmm.... not, no complications whatsoever... the transformation was complete in every way. I did various tests before I went ahead and allowed myself to be changed like this my love. I have done the impossible... I have brought back the sith race...." She shuddered, excitement evident at her accomplishment.

She nods and continues to hold Andrea close. “It seems you and Gra'tua both have been achieving the unimaginable of late... I am... thrilled for you both.” She offers a small smile.

She blinked, not sure what to make of Azazel's words about Gra'tua, instead she caressed over Azazel's body, seemingly not wanting to let go of her, tracing lightly of her swollen belly and smiles. "This not giving you too much trouble I trust though?" She grinned and then smiled softly. "I am thrilled for you too.... and..." She bit her lip and then just kissed Azazel hungrily, grinding against her, hoping that kiss would give Azazel the message how much she had missed her lover and how she regretted her actions that saw them fighting before.

She groans softly and draws away with a slight frown, “It... has... been an experience.” She had no other words to put it. Some moments were wonderful, but others had been outright dreadful. To speak nothing of the issues with the enemy Sith and her newfound need to be careful with her powers. She hides her face against Andrea, drawing in her scent and frowning ever so slightly at the distinct change to it. It would definitely need getting used to.

Andrea bit her lip and grinned, murmuring in Azazel's ear. "My love... it has been a while since we saw each other... and... we parted physically last time in a fight... but we are back now, together... and I am in a new body..." She purrs, "A body that needs to experience all sorts of feelings to see if my transformation truly was successful... so perhaps... we can continue talking in a more... pleasant surroundings of my chambers?"

Azazel flushes, a shiver running down her at that. “I... would very much like that.” She smiles slightly before opening her mouth again, “Oh... But one of my followers was there, so, might have to herd her out... Which could be a task of its own.”

Andrea smiled, taking Azazel's arm in her own and starts walking her back to the elevator, looking at a rather amused looking Trizz. "You are dismissed Trizz, when we get to my chambers, herd the Tuk'ata outside the door and return to your previous duties, speak to none about my transformation." The Zabrak nodded.

A moment later they were back topside in Andrea's chambers, with only Kitt waiting for them.

Kitt abruptly stands up at the sight of them and begins to move forward to wait at Azazel's side before stopping in her tracks. She scrutinizes Andrea, face set in bewilderment as she sees their interlocked arms. “Who...” She frowns, looking between her and Azazel. “Azazel?”

The Sith smiles slightly and shrugs, “She is still Andrea...” She turns to Andrea and brushes her lips against the pureblood's cheek with a smile.

Kitt tenses at the display and casts a hateful leer at Andrea, “I suppose you would be able to tell...”

Andrea chuckles and looks at Azazels Echani pet. "Have I offended you little one? I admit I look different now but I am still myself in mind." She purrs and turns, tracing over Azazel's side and leans in, brushing her lips over her neck. "Definitely still myself..."

Azazel shivers and shifts to whisper in Andrea's ear, “Nothing you have done, love. The little bird is just jealous, it would seem...” Kitt was trembling at the display before her, uncertain to leave Azazel alone with Andrea but more than ready to storm out. She clenches her teeth together and grinds them as she works her hands in and out of fists. “Kitt... Why don't you leave us be for now...”

The Echani freezes, a hurt expression playing over her face for a moment, “But what if something were to happen... In your current state...”

Azazel levels her gaze at Kitt, “Then I am with Andrea and she is more than capable... I have matters to address with her... Alone.”

Andrea showed a mischievous glint in her eyes as she purrs and murmurs in Azazel's ear. "Perhaps she can stay... and watch... hmm?" She licked behind her lovers ear, blatantly in view of the Echani.

Kitt frowns, her enhanced vision fixating on the display before she flushes and shakes her head. “You're going to do what you want to anyways, aren't you?”

Azazel purrs and arches, exposing her neck to Andrea, a faint smirk upon her lips, “I always have... Haven't I?...”

Kitt furrows her brow before turning on her feet, slamming open the door and nearly hitting a guard on the outside. She bangs the door shut, leaving it shuddering in its frame before she sets off racing down the hallway, trying to allow her hair to fall before her eyes to hide her face and the tears streaming down as she went back towards the ship.

Andrea looked at her door after the Echani had left so suddenly and turned to Azazel, "Well... should I be jealous?" She smiles playfully as she went to loosen Azazel's robes.

She presses closer, brushing her lips against Andrea's in a fluttering kiss. “Not at all. She is still but a child... She will learn...” Azazel cups Andrea's cheeks, letting her own robes slip down as she kisses her demandingly. They had been apart too long for her liking.

She let out a brief moan and grinned. "Mmm... I think I would have none other than you have my newfound virginity Azazel.... let's make up... for lost time..."

---

Meanwhile outside Andrea's chambers Trizz was talking to one of the sun guard as Azazel's woman marched out, slamming the door behind her. She blinked and followed, catching up to her. "Oy hold on there." One look at the tear filled face told her enough. "Ah, right, come with me, got a bottle of corellian brandy we can share."

Kitt stops, looking back at Trizz, still holding her glare despite the tears streaming down. “I don't need your pity,” she snuffles out, holding a fist up threateningly.

"Good, because I wasn't offering any pity, I was offering a drink. Now come along." She shrugged. "Or not, up to you." Trizz said simply, looking not impressed at all at the fist waved at her face.

Kitt frowns, letting her hand relax to her side as she follows suit. Maybe Hakkri and Bezol had a point with all their drinking of late. It could not possibly hurt. “Why?” she finally inquires, following after Trizz.

"Because my boss suddenly looks different and I was stuck with her for her transformation for over a week without alcohol and now thats done I want to drink and I don't want to do it alone, besides you look like you could use a stiff drink yourself." Trizz said over her shoulder while leading the Echani to her quarters.

"Name's Trizz by the way."

She mumbles out to Trizz, “You aren't one of those witches, are you?... From Dathomir?...” She follows a little closer, starting to feel curious about the rougher looking Zabrak, “I'm, ah... Kitt.”

She blinked and let out a guffaw. "If you are asking if I'm one of those Zabrak from Dathomir, no I;m not. Just a regular Zabrak from one of the many colonies my species has out there. Just happened to be from one who apparently liked sith tattoos, but I'm a mercenary, well was. Since I got hired by a sith I quite like it here." They reached her quarters and she opened them, ushering Kitt inside, closing the door behind her. "Make yourself comfortable." She said.

A moment later she sat down too and placed two glasses on the table, pouring a generous amount of Corellian brandy in each glass and then handed one to her guest. "Bottoms up, here's to them weird sith we serve and their dramatic idiocy."

She took a generous gulp and let out a happy sound. "That's the stuff..." She glanced at Kitt and grinned, "What about you? Thought I heard milady Azazel was a big mando and I gathered mandos and echani don't really mix, right?"

Kitt peeks over the brim of the cup before taking a small sip and making a face. It did not taste completely pleasant on her palette, but if Trizz could drink it like that, she wasn't going to shy away. “Ah, I think she puts on a show, for Gra'tua. She likes the culture. But its just one of many hobbies of hers...” She muses over that, hobbies was a good way to put many of Azazel's apparent interests. She takes a bigger drink of the brandy, trying to suppress any gagging or faces. “Mmn.. And I don't know if I'm much of an Echani, either. I knew how to fight, some... Its a natural gift, perhaps?... But I don't remember much of my homeworld. I spent much of my time growing up in a creche, before uhm...” She frowns and shuffles uncomfortably, “You don't know what the creches are, do you?”

Trizz frowned, "You mean like a orphanage? A creche of children?"

She frowns, thinking about it. Some of the other kids had been orphans, definitely. But there were some whose families willingly allowed them to join the Jedi. “No... I don't think that fits.” She runs a finger along the rim of the glass, “There were many of us children there. From all over. Most of us had some potential with the force, or at least, seemed to have it. The Jedi had a couple groups of young children to draw potential apprentices from if we showed real talent. They taught us their ways, trained us, gave us places to live...” She shrugs slightly, “It was interesting, but I didn't really excel, being blind and a washout myself. I just sort of took up space.” She laughs and stretches, “Go figure, that when Azazel's disciples crashed Theodis' ship and managed to snag one, anyone, away... It happened to be... well, the useless one.” She shakes her head, gesturing at herself.

Trizz rose her eyebrows at that and leaned over, pouring some more brandy into Kitt's glass. "Useless? So the useless comes along with Azazel to a planet whose owner was last seen fighting with Azazel? Sounds to me you are selling yourself short." She took another gulp from her glass and let out another sigh of bliss. "Sounds more like you are, or are aiming to be, your mistress's top dog, her protector. Me, well it seems Andrea likes me around because of my medical expertise, that and she pays me so I'm not loyal to any of her disciples.

Kitt tests her grip around the glass before taking a long drought, “Difference between then and now, I guess.” She settles her glass down. “So they picked me up and Azazel's disciples were ready to just abandon me who knows where. I couldn't be an apprentice to them. I couldn't be a servant with my condition. And they were just bitter after what Theo did to Tannus. He's down to two cybernetic limbs and a implanted rebreather. She got him bad. They barely got him out.” She snorts and shakes her head, “Serves him right in some regards. He wrecked a happy home and was using force against kids.” She shudders and closes her eyes, “I couldn't see it, but I heard a few of them running at him, then nothing but screams.” She shakes her head, “But, that's old hat. I was there, scared, wondering if they were going to drop me like dead weight. Trying to figure out how I was going to do anything. I had no talents.” She furrows her brow, remembering, “And then Azazel spoke up. She denied them that action and took me on as her own responsibility if her disciples were refusing to take me on. I just remember hating them, all of them so much. These were Sith. Sith. It was all I knew, being brought up to be a Jedi. I had to disdain who they were, what they represented. I had been supposed to fight them...”

"And instead, you joined one of them and started serving her." Trizz finished for her. "Look, if you want the advice of a mercenary like myself. Fuck it all." She took another sipp from the brandy, feeling the pleasant burn down her throat. "You gotta live your life to the fullest, find yourself someone you can bear working for under the circumstances and make the best of it."

Kitt snorts and shakes her head, “Maybe, but here's the deal... I remember being talked at a lot.. It was like some blur of voices, I was... lost. Then.. .There was nothing for awhile. The next thing, I come to. And someone told me to open my eyes. Not just someone, this big bad nasty Sith Master who I reckoned to look like a Hutt in the summer heat. So... Blind girl, just woke up. And I thought someone had a real nasty sense of humor. Like it mattered.” She pauses, and a faint flush comes to her cheeks. “First thing I ever saw. Ever. Was her.” She tinkers with her cup, looking at Trizz uncertainty. “Can you imagine that? A life, of nothing, and then you see an angel before your very eyes. One who just gave you the only gift you've ever received. And, it wasn't some small token.” She laughs, shaking her head, “I must sound ridiculous... But I was... stunned.” Tears start to threaten at the edge of her eyes again. “I wanted to serve her. Right then. To be of any use I could... She never once doubted that I had a place. She started seeing me taught, giving me a purpose, even raised me up into her officer's staff.” She leans forward, “So what could I ever do to repay her?... Or show her how I feel.” She clenches her hand about the glass and it begins to show webs of cracking along its side. “And now, I've been taunted, by her lover... Who...” She frowns, shutting her mouth given her present company. “I'm talking too much...”

She reaches out, tapping Kitt's hand with the bottle that she should relax and pours a little more in her cup. "Don't stop talking on my account, you seem to be needing to talk, so by all means, talk my horns off." She grinned, "If you are afraid I'll tattle on you, stop worrying." She raised her own glass. "Everything that's say or do in here while we drink, stays here."

She flushes and nods, drinking more heavily from the cup now with a faint smile. “Your... employer... Just... Irks me. Everything she does, everything she says. And it just all feels like a crock of lies to me. She uses people, enslaves them, uses them as toys. And yet, Azazel expects that she holds her any differently. But, I just know... No one comes before Andrea to Andrea. From what I've heard, their entire relationship has been built up surrounded with lies and a need to one-up each other.” She shakes her head, “I bared my heart to Azazel, and just now, it was like they were flaunting in my face what they were about to do. Just now... Are doing.” She grimaces and drains the last of what was in the glass. “Azazel wants me to prove myself to her, if I really have these feelings... But haven't I done enough? I threw myself between her and a mad Sith trying to kill her! I've been there for her, constantly, waiting on her during her pregnancy while both Gra'tua and Andrea are off doing whatever they like half-way across the Galaxy...”

She refilled Kitt's glass and nods slowly. "Look, take it from me, sith... any sith... are crazy, so fuck em. Even if you save their lives, they probably will only have eyes for another of their kind." She placed her glass down and moved closer to Kitt, rubbing her leg against hers. "Maybe instead, you should broaden your horizons... and look elsewhere..."

Kitt flushes and looks at Trizz, swallowing slightly, her mind suddenly having to shift gears. “I... uhm... You think so?” She bites her lip, thinking about inching away but staying put.

Trizz grinned and nodded slowly, "I think so, yeah... why should you suffer if she doesn't see you, just... find someone else... or several others... who do see you... and approve of what they see." Trizz blatantly looked over Kitt now, letting out a humming sound in appreciation of what she was seeing.

Kitt fumbles setting her drink down, spilling a little as she slips a fraction away from Trizz. “I.. M-maybe you have a point,” she chuckles nervously, eyes wide at the apparent interest in her. She licks lightly over her lips, “You, ah, have a suggestion of who might... might be such a person, don't you...”

Trizz stood up and stood in front of Kitt, slowly extending her hand. "Take my hand and find out." She said, licking her lips.

She swallows and reaches her hand out to Trizz. Her hand misses at first before slipping into the Zabrak's. She offers a shy smile, and without a word, stands up to her feet. The sudden rush takes her by surprise and she finds herself stumbling forward and into Trizz. She barely catches herself using the Zabrak and she looks up with a flush to her cheeks, “S-sorry.”

Trizz grins, "Don't be sorry... you made it easier to do this..." Without warning she presses her lips against the lips of her guest and kisses her. "There... did that feel wrong... if it did.... you can walk out now... if it didn't... then I am going to drag you to my bedroom and get you out of that armour... sounds good?"

She swallows and nods, pressing her lips back awkwardly to Trizz', barely managing to meet her mark. “Sounds... very good,” she mumbles.

"Hoped you would..." Without further ado Trizz dragged the Echani into her room and closed the door.

Return of the Force 2.

Reunions at the Nova Retreat

---

Ba'alkyri looks over the pilot's shoulder once more before huffing and moving back to the other areas of the seat and taking a seat, bouncing impatiently. She looks left, and then right, beginning to anxiously rap her knuckles against a console's side. Alyssandri arches a brow at her, relaxing back as Ba'al begins to stand to try and peek out the window before the Master calls out, “Are we there yet?”

Nikan had been taking a turn at the helm of the Risk vs Reward for the past few hours of the journey, the last half hour or so he had been host to Ba'alkyri and Alyssandri. "Yes we're there." He replied cheerfully as he watched out the viewport at the hyperspace tunnel that was far from looking like it was closing down and returning them to real-space.

Ba'al sighs in relief before prodding out at Alyss with her foot, “Go wake up Vitril and Writh. They're straight off to the med bay.” Alyssandri gives a challenging look only to be met with a flat expression from Ba'al. The human woman snorts and gets up to see to them. “Think Neia is around?” she asks curiously, shifting so she can watch out the viewport eagerly.

"She owns the station, unless she's busy I imagine there's a good bet she is." Nikan replied as he continued to watch the hyperspace tunnel, more importantly he watched the sensors and hyperdrive gauge that told him they still had fifteen minutes before they exited hyperspace.

Ba'al narrows her eyes for a moment, scrutinizing Nikan. “Aha, spot on. Smart, I see. Cyphor does keep you in his employ for a reason,” she tries to stumble to catch herself after her less than brilliant question.

"Cyphor doesn't employ me." Nikan replied as he rolled his eyes.

Ba'al pauses, pursing her lips. “Right. You just do things for him. Like picking up the occasional stray Jedi.”

Nikan just waved his sabre hilt under Ba'al's nose for a moment without saying anyhting.

Ba'al frowns and takes a step back, “Right, I get the picture. I'll leave you to your piloting. Wouldn't want you to crash, after all. I imagine Neia'd throw a fit about that.”

Meanwhile, Allysandri raps Vitril on her forehead to rudely wake her up. The other Knight sputters and winces in pain, going to swing her feet up before looking at her stump again. “Geeze, is it chow time again already... I still feel full.”

Allysandri shrugs, “We're arriving here in a few. I imagine you might want to be awake and functioning when they cart you off. Maybe get excited about a new leg, even? Or would you prefer we call you stumpy and watch you learn to hop?”

Vitril waves her away, moving to sit up, “Quit being an ass.”

Allysandri snorts and helps Vitril get up and hop back into the room Ba'alkyri was currently residing. Vitril looks out the port and furrows her brow, “Are we there yet? Or is there trouble afoot?”

"No, no trouble at all, your master just happens to be an easy mark." Nikan said with a broad smile. "We'll be there in a few moments." he added still smiling

Vitril snorts and grins, “Oh, so someone else noticed. Good, I have proof now.” With that, the other Knight assisted her with getting settled in a seat and waiting for their arrival.

Nikan turned back to the controls as he watched the hyperdrive count down, pulling the Lever back at the appropriate moment to drop the Action IV frigate out of hyperspace and approach Nova Retreat.

At the station's traffic control center the approach of a Action IV was noticed and one of the operators contacted the vessel, "Risk vs Reward, we detect your approach, welcome to the Nova Retreat, where in it's casinos the odds may forever be in your favour. If you do not care for our casino floors, we have excellent services to any damages you ship might have or refuel your ship. Do you wish to be cleared for docking?"

Ba'al clears her throat, “Think they can patch my ship back together?...”

"That would depend on how many pieces your ship is in now as compared to when we picked you up." Cha'alla said as she entered the cockpit. "Have you been to the hanger bay recently? Too seemed to think he could fix it given enough time in there, it might just be component parts by now."

Nikan meanwhile flicked the comms to respond to the traffic control "We wish to dock thankyou. Is the proprietess on the station? we have some associates of hers aboard that were hoping to speak with her during their stay."

"Director Neia Kahleesi is present, she is a busy woman however, who can I say wants to speak to her?" The operator responded in a friendly voice.

"We can figure that out once we've docked, just knowing she's there is enough." Nikan replied.

The operator seemed unfazed, "Docking bay 7A is cleared for you, please note that any and all weaponry are to be left on your ship or they will be confiscated at our checkpoints, enjoy your stay." A message was send with directions to the docking bay in questions as well as a passcode for some free casino and beverage tokens.

"Sweet, free drinks." Nikan said as the comm channel closed and he piloted the vessel to the designated bay.

"You are still underage." Cha'alla said from behind him before turning to Ba'alkyri. "Neia has several of our kind in her service, I guess we will need to leave our sabres behind."

As Writh stumbles in, he grunts, “That, I do not like. It's my walking stick.” He steps over the outstretched foot of Allysandri as she goes to trip him.

“Not that you need it. We'll respect Neia's wishes.” Ba'al holds her hand out to begin collecting lightsabers and blasters.

There were two Twi'leks standing outside, waiting for the new visitors, smiling and dressed in what could be considered 'skimpy' entertainer clothes, one of them was holding a pad of some kind and was looking at it the moment the new visitors walked into view. The second Twi'lek was walking froward and about to open her mouth to welcome them when her fellow greeter stopped her, staring at the screen of her pad and then at the people walking down, shaking her head and tapped her ear and the hidden communicator underneath became active. "Kali at docking bay 7A, inform Neia we have some of her jedi friends here and some of them look beaten up, requesting medical staff to report to the docking bay at once."

Both the Twi'leks looked rather serious now and approached the group, "Apologies we had not been informed you were aboard, if you could wait here, medical staff and Neia will be here shortly, can we do anything else before they arrive?"

"We have the remains of their ship in our hanger bay." Cha'alla replied, "I don't know just how good Neia's repair facilities are, the ship is in at least two pieces, might just be cheaper to built a new one."

Ba'alkyri nods, helping support Vitril as she staggers, feeling feint at being standing like this. “Yeah, if that's the case, at least we can salvage some of it.” She grunts, moving her free arm out to redirect Writh who was about to walk into a wall without his weapon to guide him and his hearing off.

The other Twi'lek frowned and gestured to Writh. "Does he require medical assistance as well?" She asked just as the doors opened and a pair of floating medical beds were pushed in by Nova Retreat staff wearing medical uniforms, followed by Neia and Maaike. "Ah there's the boss."

Neia nodded to her commandos and approached the jedi, looking them over, noticing that the ones from Ba'al were looking rather beaten up, she gestured to her staff, "Well don't just stand there, they require medical assistance." The medics nodded and came forwards asking questions and bringing one of the beds to Vitril. Neia meanwhile looked from Ba'al to Cha'alla. "Well I would ask what brings you to my station but I can guess, you are safe here in case any trouble is following you?"

"That depends on if you consider Master Cyphor trouble." I got word shortly after we dropped from hyperspace that he was on his way here as well he is travelling on Hayles ship and should be here soon, within a few hours most likely." Cha'alla replied

Ba'al grimaces at the mention of Cyphor before helping Writh to a medical bed. “Aside from Cyphor, I don't think there should be anyone in pursuit. The CIS droids were either disassembled or probably assume us dead.”

Neia blinked and lookeda at the jedi before her, "Has someone organized a Jedi conference again at my station without informing me? I just got off a call from Thrall, the Sluissi friend of Tohkran, saying that one of Tohkran's knights was coming to my station to discuss some urgent matters and perhaps arrange meetings with everyone else." She shook her head, "But this isn't the place to talk, my medical staff wil treat your wounded, we can share a drink and tale in my conference room."

"Very well, lead on." Cha'alla replied with a slight bow of her head

Ba'al smirks and waves a hand, “The force works in mysterious ways... but a drink does sound wonderful after the week I've had.”

Chris makes a whimper behind her and murmurs, “Poor rabbit...”

Neia frowned, CIS and rabbits? They sure had a tale to tell as she led her jedi guests to the conference room and arranged for food and drinks. "Well suppose you should be glad my people recognized you, we've changed our security protocols somewhat after some commandos tried to infiltrator and blow up my station, but my story can wait. I'd rather hear your stories, if you don't mind?"

"I'll let Ba'al take the lead here, we only picked her up really, we actually came here because you have the closest medical facilities we trusted." Cha'alla said as she took a seat.

Ba'al sighs and sits down, letting out a soft noise of comfort after being in the wild and on a cramped ship. “Ah, honestly... I touched down on Arkinnea after digging up some information on Arkinnea looking for a jedi temple supposed to be there. Unfortunately, we hit a snag on the way down. The CIS was apparently investigating the planet and set some scout droids after us. Trying to lose them, Zobis managed to wreck the ship something fierce... by deciding it needed to get intimate with some trees.” She leans forward, accepting a drink as it comes and sipping from it.

“We got off a message to Cyphor right after that, needing a ride, ours was ruined. Thankfully we managed to pull out from that unscathed. Sadly, when we made it to the temple...” She pauses furrowing her brow, “We weren't expecting such a heavy droid force there from the CIS. Apparently they must have scoured the place over looking for something?” She shrugs and drinks harder, “That's when we hit a nasty snag. A couple of them were better armed and we walked right into them. A couple of us took some minor hits, nothing some good force healing didn't help us get over in our week on the ground, but Vitril and Writh got the worst of it. I don't know how. They must have advanced targeting protocols.”

She gestures towards Kreeva who was daintily drinking from some flavoured, carbonated water eagerly. “That one and Writh stumbled upon a damaged message, though. It must have triggered given their talents in the force. It directed us towards the Vergesso Asteroids for the next leg of whatever mystery must be awaiting us.”

Neia nodded slowly, "I see, scouring jedi ruins, huh?" She was about to say more when a hologram activated on the table in front of her, depicting Mochi. "Ah, my station engineer, what can you tell me about that ship of theirs that needs repairs?"

The verpine was eagerly rubbing his hands together, "It can be done, it will cost time and effort but I am looking forward to start repairs and have parts of the vessel reconstructed and installed, it is always a delight to work on something new. Assuming the owners want it to be repaired?" Neia turned to Ba'al and looked at her expectingly.

Ba'al slips off her mask, rubbing over her face and the scars that weaved a web over her features. “Ah, rip out what you can from the old system, but I need to change up the core layout and function. I need a weapons system installed upon it. If we had one back on-world, we probably wouldn't have been in such a mess.”

Again, Chris mutters nearby with a sniffle, “The bunnies never stood a chance... Why, Ba'al?”

Neia looked at Ba'al's companion, if she had eyebrows she would have raised them and then turned back to Ba'al. "Do you need my medical staff to look at Chris? Ah well." She shrugged and then turned to Mochi. "Wait for now, have Ba'al contact you with details of what she wants installed and make it happen, I am paying for it." She saw Mochi shiver with excitement and forestalled him, "Whatever she suggests I pay for it, not you." She shook her head and smiled hearing Mochi let out a sigh.

"Very well... I will look forward to the details she wants done to her ship." With that he ended the call on his side.

Ba'al blushes and ruffles her hair, “No, Chris is fine... Ah, just stumbled upon a talent of mine that... was rather brutally effective to surviving without supplies in a less than friendly environment.” She gives Chris a serious look intending to relay the pact they made to never mention just what happened to the sweet woodland critters.

"Well whatever you decide to do with the remains of your vessel, contact Mochi with the details while you are on the station and I'll handle the costs whatever they may be, though I'm not going to pay millions though, that would be a bit too generous." She grinned, "Anyway, I can offer you places to stay while you are here, because it seems you will be here a while if both Cyphor and one of Tohkrans knights are coming too."

"Cyphor was just at Kashyyyk, I believe he is coming becuase I sent a message after we picked up Ba'alkyri that we were on our way here." Cha'alla said, "I think he may with to speak with Gaarwarr when he arrives as well if the walking carpet is here."

She looks embarrassed for a moment before nodding, “Thank you, Neia. It is too kind of you. If there is any way I could make it up to you, consider it done.” Ba'al offers a small smile over the brim of her glass. She pauses for a moment, setting the drink down, “I accept your hospitality. It would be nice to catch up, aside from all these stories of daring-do and hostile encounters, that is... if you'd like, I mean...” She coughs and looks away, swiveling in her chair to face the counter and looking down, submitting to just being silent to save herself the troubles.

Neia scratched her cheek, "Ah, well Gaarwarr is currently staying at a asteroid field in the Sarka system i just laid a mineral mining claim on to guard it after my expidition evicted some pirates." She then turned to Ba'al and chuckled, "I wouldn't mind exchanging stories, I have to admit, from the stories Gaarwarr told me, the life of a jedi is filled with excitement, wouldn't mind hearing more about that."

She went to check her data she received and nodded slowly, "According to the message from Thrall, Tohkran's knight would arrive in a few days, since Thrall mentioned he wanted to send messages to all of you it might be best you all stay here? Cyphor included when he arrives?"

"That would make the most sense." Cha'alla agreed. "Cyphor will not take much convincing I think."

“So its settled,” Ba'al nods, glancing sidelong at those gathered, “Which, is probably good... Because we got word from Leonis that he is coming here. Expect him to try and recruit you all to join his great Sith hunt.”

Cha'alla raised an eyebrow "Another thing Cyphor may not need much convincing for."

"Sorry I won't be joining any sith hunts or wars unless they are for a good cause, no offense to you jedi but I haven't seen what harm a sith can do to me or my own." Neia shrugged.

Ba'al grimaces, “Of course, Leonis is still single-minded after the events that took away Master Theodis... But he thinks he has found a good lead after the culprits. The lightsaber of one, in fact.” She rubs over her eyes. “He wants one of us to look at it. I am worried what he will find in this chase of his. I fear how it may end.”

Neia grimaces, "Sounds like he just needs to take a break, get him some R&R, possibly a appointment with a counselor to deal with his loss."

"Then at least he's coing to the right place for some R&R." Cha'alla replied, "assuming your facilities are still at the same high standard as last time were were here Neia."

She smiled, "They are and I have plans to actually extend my facilities with a even bigger casino and more luxurious accommodations." She shrugged, "But that is for another time, please, all of you enjoy your stay here and the facilities I have available. You will also be cleared to use my training facilities."

Ba'al shakes her head, “If he stays for a time, perhaps it will do some good.” She moves to her feet and dips at the waist. “My thanks, Cha'alla for the time and assistance you have given me. Neia, your hospitality does not go unnoticed. I repay my debts...” She frowns, nodding to Alysandri, “If you do not mind, we must check upon our compatriots and see that any procedures are going well. There was something in particular we wished addressed for one, as it were.”

Neia stood up, "I'll show you to the medical bay."

"I will see to my own people for now and await Cyphors arrival." Cha'alla said with a bow of her head

Alysandri, who was on her way to standing up simply stops and takes her seat again, Ba'al had it and she was getting tired of being so close to the woman anyhow. Ba'alkyri meanwhile smiles and nods to Neia, “My thanks. I would hate to find myself stumbling about lost.”

She chuckles and went to the door, "I myself get lost from time to time if you can believe, but as the owner it's very easy to contact someone to give me the right directions to familiar grounds." She gestured, "Shall we?"

She exits through the door, waiting for Neia to follow and come to her side before she begins onwards, “I could believe it.” She looks about the interior, “It must be a large enough place. I hardly imagine residing in such a place.” Ba'al crosses her arms, drawing her robes tighter about herself as she walks beside Neia, “You really do not need be so kind. I may not be the sort to highly value worldly things, but I do make sure I can provide for those in my company.”

Neia smiled, shaking her head. "Some call it kind, others may call it earning favours, all of you are my friends and I'd like to help where I can." Grinning she winked at Ba'al. "Doesn't hurt if you ever feel the need to repay the favour of course, as for living here... you get used to it, I used to make a living on a smuggler ship and when I settled down on this station as my base of operations... well not hearing the humming of engines made it difficult to sleep at first, but got used to it."

Ba'al raises her brows, “I'll keep that in mind. Any tips on how to sleep without it would be appreciated, actually.” She pauses, giving Neia an uncertain look. “What sort of favours do you typically ask for? I do not know how much I can help with smuggling operations or casino resorts, but I have my talents.”

Neia smiled and shook her head, "Don't worry about it, if you think you can repay me in some way you'll know and you offer it." She stopped and looked at Ba'al, smiling still, "As for the sleeping without engine noise, it ah... might help if you had some pleasant company to spend some time with before you close your eyes to rest."

Ba'al finds herself flushing, “I think I would like that, do you have any suggestions? I'm afraid I'm all out of pleasant company amongst my friends...” She begins to move her hands nervously, tempted to reach out with the force to try and ascertain better just what Neia might be implying. She refrains, though, feeling that would be wrong of her.

Neia smiles, looking Ba'al over, settling on her face, still smiling. "Am I making you nervous? You seem somewhat bothered?"

Ba'al clears her throat, “A small bit, admittedly. I can try to compose myself better, if it is a trouble?” She fights against biting her lip as she casts her gaze aside, cheeks glowing just a bit more.

Neia smiledand winks, "Oh no trouble, I was thinking it was rather cute actually." She grinned and continued walking, guiding her guest.

Ba'al stumbles in her steps before walking briskly to catch back up. “N-no! We Jedi are not cute,” she corrects quickly, “We are stern and diligent and anything but cute, I'm afraid.” Yet, she has a faint smile upon her lips at the comment.

Neia stopped again and turned to her guest, smiling. "Stern and diligent, huh? Ok fine, prove it." She crossed her arms. "If you claim to be stern and diligent I am sure you can make me feel guilty by just staring at me."

Ba'al purses her lips, stepping forward and gives Neia a serious look, “You should feel bad for calling me cute.” She smirks and jokingly waves a hand in front of Neia's face, “By my mystic Jedi magic, I compel you... Is it working?”

Neia smiled and winked, "No, sorry, still very cute... and you have pretty eyes too."

Ba'al snorts and taps Neia lightly on the nose. “And I thought Writh was the blind amongst us.” She relaxes before looking down at her feet, “Excuse me for this question, but were you and Master Theodis ever... I mean, I could tell she liked you quite a deal, but I do not know if...” She coughs and smiles awkwardly.

Neia blinked, surprised. "Huh... Theo liked me?" She looked away, closing her eyes a moment. "I, ah... actually never knew, I mean, I liked her... and I wondered at times but, well we all know what happened. But no nothing happened, I... wish something did though, hearing that she liked me a quite a deal." She smiled softly.

She looks oddly dejected at that before offering a strained smile, “It... was a shame, yes.” Ba'alkyri looks aside, trying to look for any markings on the wall, “Ah, the medical facility, are we close?”

Neia nods, "We are... but."She stopped again and turned around, standing in front of Ba'al. "Why did you ask that? About if me and Theo ever had gotten close?"

She offers a small shrug, not meeting her gaze, “Trifling passing thought. It matters not.”

"I may not have eyebrows like most other humanoid species but when someone seems to want to avoid eye contact that means they are hiding something. You can tell me." She smiled gently.

Ba'al flushes and looks back, barely drawing her gaze up to meet Neia's. “There may have been tension between Master Theodis and I in the past. Over a particular Nautolan woman. Nothing too serious, but... I still hold respect for the one who allowed me to learn in the right direction, her own... skills, aside.” She straightens herself, attemting to repress the colouration to her cheeks as she continues, “So, it would be improper of me, not only to impose upon my host, but to step forward in the wake of events to act upon anything, I think.”

Neia blinked, confused and stepped forwards, taking hold of the shoulder of the jedi in front of her. "Wait, what? You aren't making much sense... tell me what you mean so I can understand."

She leans in closer, her lips barely from Neia's for the briefest of moments before she withdraws, flustered. “My apologies. I am... Not myself right now. I must need to meditate, to recenter.”

Neia blinked rapidly, did Ba'al just... did she almost? She reached out quickly, stopping her. "I... ah... oh ferglutz, not this time." She said and cupped the cheeks of the jedi and kisses her softly on the lips.

Ba'al hesitates for a moment before returning the kiss, allowing herself to sink closer to Neia. “You're just bound to lead a knight to trouble, aren't you?” she teases nervously, lingering in her proximity with a warm smile.

She smiles softly, "Ah, perhaps. Just... felt like if I didn't do that, a opportunity would escape, like last time. Wasn't going to let that happen... so, uhm... about that suggestion of company, after I lead you to the medical bay... mind if I would be that company?"

The jedi pauses for a moment, acting if she had to seriously think on it. “Oh, I do not know. Do you think you could enjoy my company? I hear I can be quite boring in my downtime, I'm afraid.”

She chuckles, "I think I'll manage, didn't hear a answer in that reply though." She bit her lip.

“Consider it a date, then,” the Diathim purrs out as she dips down, daring another kiss.

Smiling she kisses back, "It's a date."

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

Holmishire said
Whoa. Thane's a lot bigger and scalier than I had previously imagined.Alexandria's just about the same, though.

Nah. That's totally Templar Commander Taigyn's Durp Lizard from LoR1. *sniffs* He grew up and went places, that little lizard.

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

Oh, I had forgotten to post... For those of you who care... I present to you, Queen Alexandria



Image: Blayde by Douglas Shuler

The Last Bastion: Bunker Chicago

Around.

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

Lakeside

---

The lycan peers at the trio before her with yellowed eyes as they make a scene at the lakeside. She crooks her head back towards Kouri and huffs, tossing her head at them before she begins to stand upon her back haunches. As she does, her appearance begins to seemingly melt back into her human form. Upon her clothes, sigils burn brightly as she transforms. From her, popping, cracking, and faint noises of discomfort come from her as her body reorients itself. Back to being a human, she stands taller than Kouri, stretching herself out with a gasp and another sharp pop before the magic runes begin to fade and leave the clothes whole upon her. A simplified uniform more in place upon a noble man than a kind with a frock coat trimmed to fit her frame.

Alex pauses for a moment, taking a moment to brush gore and grass from herself that had stuck to her fur previously as she sizes up the three before her and tries to calculate her response. It was apparent on her face she wanted to go off on them, but with Kouri there beside her, she attempted to compose herself. “Listen, I don't really care if any of you killed some lackey or not,” she sighs and shoves her hands in her pockets. “Right now, you're all screaming of incompetence in some form.” She steps forward, “Cuz from what I've heard from the three of ya, is that you three barely scraped by disabling the bomb, while allowing the leader of the ruckus free to cause more trouble after he let you live. Your actions,” she gives a pause, allowing it to sink in. “Have brought the downfall of two of your compatriots. Two, who I might add, were chosen as carefully as you three for their own merits. Who possessed skills equal, not inferior, to your own in their own rights.”

Her gaze falls upon Kasim, “And yet, when there are still dangers to my friends and family, are here bragging and making a show about felling a single foe and seeking to do more against a foe liable to be far greater and with more followers at his command than the fight just undertook. I'm also hearing you simply idling about after this singular achievement, allowing allies to suffer their end. How many more will be allowed simply to die so one might bask in the limelight, hmm?”

Before Kasim even had a chance to respond or interrupt her flow, her attention snaps to Alicia, “This, followed by undermining and starting fights with your fellow Blades while there is still danger for this town. I don't know if you are aware, but here in the Blades, whatever social rank you held before coming here... It doesn't matter. You are all no better than each other. You may have your airs and flowered words, but I for one never cared for them. What I see here, are those equally to blame for the death of allies, shifting that burden as if they had no part in it. If you seek to impress us. Stand up to your enemies, not your companions... And take responsibility for your own actions, or lackthereof.”

Finally she directs herself before Zayn. “And, yet, the information is appreciated. You have done a good job in seeing the bomb disabled.” She bows her head, “You have my thanks this day for ensuring one part of this potential calamity did not come to be.” Alex looks at all three of them, “You all have my thanks, criticism aside. I am appreciative of all your contributions, minor or great. You have helped to save many lives this day, and I'm afraid I can't voice how much that means to me.”

She shifts back to Kouri's side, visibly stiff in her movements and the observant would notice her more than a little high-strung at this moment as adrenaline still ran through her and concern begins to slip through the flawed mask she had tried to keep it behind. “There's obviously more to be done in the town, but James is still a threat. I don't think he'll let us catch him so soon, though... We have no idea what he's capable of...”

"Amanda would know." Kouri states plainly. "She isn't due back for another week, however... We won't know anything more until the ball is settled." She says softly, more to Alex than to the trio. Looking around the area she spots others approaching. "I would say most of the Queen's Blades are experiencing some form of success, at least."

She relaxes some at that comment and nods, “We should hold off until Amanda arrives, then.” Alex looks out at the other arriving Blades and exhales deeply. “As much as I would enjoy ripping out his throat for what he has done...” she growls before reigning it back in, “It would be better to know what we're dealing with...” She searches the newly arriving faces. “I expected Mikan back by now...”

Out of the corner of their eyes, a small, brown ball of fur peddles its way through the waters of the lake, onto the shore. He stumbles and bounces his way back to Kouri and Alex, and hides between them: Thane, the marten, was safe.

---

Rayvon Krayvitch

---

Rayvon wipes her bloodied hand on her pants, Wayne failing to accept the ring and her donation of blood to him all but overlooked in the stream of villagers willingly running up to nourish him. She blinks and looks back at the carnage before shuddering and clenching her hand tight about the ring. The rogue was right, maybe. Wayne did not wish for the ring as a token or was too incoherent to accept it. The dead did not need it, especially a dead man who terrorized the people here. Confusion floods through her before she shakes her head, noticing people beginning to stream away from the Westward tower.

She crooks her head to the side, perhaps they were simply free and checking on their loved ones from this district. She allows her attention to roam across the area. The towns people appeared to be taking it upon themselves to clear up the troubles of this area. The commotions from East and West appeared to have died down. She had no clue what was going at the Inn, where she had seen so many rush off towards, but in the same instance, she did not wish to interfere. As much as could have gone wrong here, it was a possibility that a new presence might be enough to set off whatever foe was there and escalate the situation.

Her shoulders slump as she looks at the plume of fire. She had heard of the might of the Queens, so surely they must be faring well. Her presence would not likely be of use there. Guilt begins to flood her as she begins to walk the streets, holding the ring in her hand that she had been ready to act against another living man for. She did not wish to bear this weight upon herself. She pauses before a stone mason's before stepping inside, blinking her eyes as her eyes adjust to the dark. A man stood inside, holding his family close in the wake of the averted disaster. Rayvon flushes at walking in on such a personal moment, but before she could slip out once more, the man was looking up at her questioning.

“I am sorry, I... I had a request... The water fountain was destroyed... and it took the life of one of the Blades...” She shuffles on her feet as the man began to grow visibly irate. “I just thought, when you had time, if you could rebuild it... As a memorial to the one who sacrificed herself for this town.”

The man grows more somber at that and nods slowly, “Perhaps I can, when word has come that it is safe across the town and we needn't fret.”

Rayvon pauses before moving forward and setting down the silver ring and fishing out all the gold coins from her purse. “I hope this is enough...” She mumbles placing down the payment and turning to go, hastily. She felt embarrassed and dirty from utilizing the ring in such a way, but it put it to some use, and not as a mere thief's coin for self-serving purpose.

Departing from the stonemason's, Rayvon, at a loss for what to do with herself, heads to the lake. If the queens had any more instruction for her, she would fulfill that task. If not, she would return to the Town Square and help clean up the damage and see the dead to their final resting place.

Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

When I have time, can think and awake... I will be working on a bit for Lakeside. And I've taken to calling those of you who arrived there first the Three Stooges. You are ridiculous together. In a fun way. xD

Return of the Force 2.

Leonis and Company
A Casa Nova Adventure

---

Leonis was busy reassembling his blaster, his feet kicked up on a desk nearby as they patrolled the trade routes along this hyperspace way. It had gotten to be a regular habit of his since Theo's passing. He had chased after the Sith culprit for a time, but somehow they managed to slip away. He still blamed her followers to a large extent. They were so dispirited by her passing they had slacked off and allowed them to get away. He growls to himself at their inability to see priorities. If they had loved his sister as they claimed and were so loyal to her, they would have been right here with him. The only one who had bothered to follow him in this course was the Mandalorian who had hardly known her though. He could not help but feel that in large part, he only enjoyed the thrill of a challenge. Hunting Sith, it had to be one.

Huffing to himself, he slaps the last piece in and peers down the sight. Spic and span, it would serve well in his next fight. He glances side-long at the Mandalorian, Joshua, inspecting his armour. He was a good soldier, to say the least. If nothing else, he might touch down to the Mandalorian homeworld and see if there were any who might join him in the near future. His head aches at the thought, though. He could not remember the last time he had touched ground for more than to investigate rumours, though. He ruffles his mane, looking at the gnarled braids and grimacing. When we the last time he even bathed. When had he last even eaten. His stomach growls at him contemptuously as he sits forward and sighs. Perhaps he would make his way to the mess hall.

“Approaching a ship. Merchant Vessel. Establish communications?”

Leonis perks up at that, “Yeah, patch me through.” His stomach growls and he smacks his gullet in response. “You can wait,” he snaps at it.

“Hello, this is Leonis Kra'avarr of the ship Illusio Decus. We are commencing a patrol along this route and looking for any word of enemies to the Republic. Have you encountered anything strange in your journeys?”

The captain of the other screen looks back at his crew before clearing his throat, “Well about time someone would listen. I tried filing a report with the Republic recently, but they thought I was making a joke!”

Leonis furrows his brow and leans forward, “I am here to listen to your concerns. What word?”

The captain throws his hands up in the air, “On Hok, I encountered this Squib. And do you know what he was doing?! He was waving around some red laser sword willy-nilly.” He leans in, utmost seriousness on his face, “And I assure you, that is not all. This squib is the leader of a cult of force-users. Can you believe it! I barely escaped his sith cult with my life!”

Leonis' ears lay back flat. Perhaps this captain had been hitting the liquor hard lately. “Thank you. Rest assured, I will investigate this incident with the respect it is deemed.”

From behind him, Joshua snorts and peers at him through a mirrored helmet, “You mean none at all, right, Leo?”

Leonis casts him a glare before responding to the captain, “Thank you for your report. May your travels be safe and trade prosperous.” He salutes the captain before having to feed terminated. “Well, pack up. We're going to Hok.”

“What, really? You have got to be joking. It's a Squib. You were looking for some human wench, last I heard,” Joshua huffs.

“Then you will look twice as ridiculous if this turns out to be fact,” Leonis flashes him a toothy grin.

Joshua waves his hand in front of his face, “Leo. Hygiene. I can smell that breath of yours through my filters.”

Leonis crooks his head before breathing into his hand and whiffing curiously. His whiskers all but curled as his face blanches in reaction. “By the lightside of the force, why did no one tell me sooner,” he gags. “I'll be visiting the facilities before we touch down. Joshua, keep her steady in the meantime.”

The journey to the Hok system was uneventful and there seemed to be no trouble establishing a orbit over the planet, the locals used to ships arriving and departing at odd times and schedules to ferry loads of ore and crystals mined on the surface of the world.

Coming out, feeling refreshed and his armour donned and packing his personal arsenal, Leonis stretches and groans, feeling his body protesting after the movement after however long in his commander's chair. He grunts and looks at Joshua, “Possible cult, I'd rather go in heavy.”

Even if Leonis could not see his face, he felt there was an incredulous look being flashed at him before he's told, “You know what... Sure, let's do it. Two platoons. Touch down in two separate groups. Blood hunters as a forward party with yourself in the lead before we hit him with the Cathar heavy units. This can't go bad. Definitely not.”

Leonis looks at him through the helmet, “Of course it can't. Imagine the Squib's face when he's got 90 sem-odd guns pointed at his face.”

Joshua smacks his hand to his helmet before getting the groups ready to launch in two heavy support crafts. The only way this could go any worse is if Leonis wanted to load up the tanks too.

It took a while but the dropships came down on the surface and with much ruckus the troops marched out and assembled, looking fearsome the Cathar came out expecting a fight. As Leonis touched the planet surface he got a report that some of the advance scouts were bringing a local.

A moment later the Bloodhunters, looking a but unnerved, perhaps even shocked brought a local Gran miner before Leonis who did not seem at all surprised at the presence of so many heavily armoured soldiers, his three eyes looked at Leonis and he coughed but then smiled, "So... who is it this time? Pirates? CIS? We are currently under republic control so can't be them... unless Republic high command has forgotten that we were under Republic control? Well either case, welcome, we won't resist, we do prefer to not be made slaves or anything so just tell us what you want and we'll see how we can accommodate you, ok?"

Leonis looks at the smaller man before he removes his helmet and offers out his hand. “Leonis Kra'avarr. I'm currently following the report of a a supposed Squib force-user in this vicinity. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, it would be much appreciated.”

The local blinked all of his three eyestalks and took the offered hand, shaking it. "Squib force-user.... oh... him..." He snorts, "Yeah I remember him came to our settlement with grand tales and a lasersword of some kind he waved around, he actually cleaved two tables and some benches at the local cantina and instead of working off the debt he slept with the cantina owner's wife and then fled to terrorize the market and said he was trying to strike fear into the hearts of criminals with his dark powers when it became apparent there was a pickpocket on the loose."

"Lately he's in a abandoned warehouse in the southern district of the settlement, some of our youth have started worshipping him to learn his 'unimaginable powers'. Lazy bastards, we need them to work in the mines not worship some squib off-worlder." The Gran blinked again and cocked his head. "So... you are not here to invade us?"

Leonis laughs, “Nah. I'd rather not stir trouble with the Republic. If you keep out of our way, it would be for the better, though. I prefer no civilian casualties.” He looks to Joshua, “Lead the Blood Hunters up to set up a perimeter. If the Squib takes to running, use non-lethal force to stop him. This may not be the darksider we were looking to find, but if he has a saber, he probably has quite a tale to tell.” With that, he raises a hand before giving the signal to move forward, “Move out!”

The Gran blinked and hurried up to catch up to Leonis. "Uhm! Excuse me! EXCUSE ME! Hey!" He had looked confused before but now he seemed somewhat mildly annoyed. "Do you have any idea what you've done? We thought we were being invaded or raided, again. So, while I think we all would welcome if you deal with that irritating squib, we won't allow some kind of military force in these number to potentially wreak havoc to our settlement, take a few of your people and that's it, we don't want to have our youth be shot just because they are being idiots. Just get that Squib and get out."

Leonis gives the Gran a confused look before Joshua raises a blaster set on stun. “Allow me.” Leonis reaches out and lowers Joshua's gun for him. “I did say non-lethal force, sir. Even if we did accidentally shoot one of them, they'll be right as rain in a few hours.”

"For divine's sake!": The gran said holding up his arms, "It's just that squib and about two dozen of our most stupidest youth, two nephews and a niece of mine among them! Now unless you are here to invade us, which you apparently aren't then fine, set up a perimeter or whatever but we won't have armed troops to march in our streets." The gran looked scared but defiant.

Leonis huffs and plants his face in his palm. “Best ten marksmen, follow Joshua to set up a perimeter.” He glares at the Gran, “It really does go against my style, but do keep out of my way or I will let him shoot you.” Joshua smirks behind his helmet and pats his gun as he leads ten units forward, turning on his jetpack so he can get roof access himself and coordinate with Leonis who shoves past the gran and goes towards the warehouse.

The Gran leaves but not before Leonis catches his last words, "At least the previous invaders and pirates were polite!"

A perimeter was established and it seems the nefarious squib sith and his cult were unaware of the righteous retribution to befall on them.

Although if the two cult 'guards' at the warehouse entrance were any sign of how well guarded the place was... then Leonis and his people had not much to worry about. There were three Gran... children, roughly, if he were to guess in the age ranges of 8-14, standing guard, wearing oversized black robes that looked somewhat ridiculous on them and they were armed with long sticks.

Leonis strides up to the children and clears his throat, “I ask permission to see the Squib warrior.” He salutes at the children, “You must be his royal guard, and must I say, you are doing an impressive job, young soldiers.”

The three kids seemed to be havign a argument and al lyelepd when Leonis spoke up, scrambling, one tripping over his robes and falling on his face while another accidentally hit the third in the face with his stick and apologised.

Finally all three go to their feet and pointed the sticks to the Cathar intruder. "Halt! Uhm, yes halt!"

They were silent after that and then the oldest turned to the other two. "What were we supposed to say after that..." He turned to Leonis, "Uhm, 1 moment." And he quickly went inside, a moment later there were a few raised words and then the guard stumbled back out. "Remember now!" He waved a piece of paper and started reading from it. "In the event of a intruder...." He blinked and went to one of the other kids. "Can you read that, I think some moisture got on the ink and... oh wait's got it now." He cleared his throat and tried to look fierce and defiant, but then he stumbled and coughed, a little bit embarrassed but apparently it did not deter him as he spoke up in a high pitched voice. "State your name and purpose intruder, or have you come to bring offerings to the great master of the dark arts, he who wields the crimson blade, he who makes females tremble and males whimper in envy. He who is our master.... well have you? Uhm because we are supposed to hit you with our sticks if you did not come for that, and they hurt, a lot."

Leonis looks at the kids, happy his mask hid his expression. He was barely keeping from laughing at the rascals. “Oh mighty followers of the Sith Lord of Hok.” He bows at the waist. “I am the warrior Leonis and I come, offering tribute and my service to your master. But you must let me through, I heard tale of a planned attack on your master.”

One of the kids turned to the older one, "Told you your dad wasn't kidding he was calling the constables from the next town over, we are all going to get grounded." He whined the last part.

"Sssh, we are under the protection of the dark master, remember!" He turned to Leonis and nods, sagely but his hood fell over his eyes and he almsot stumbled again. "I, uhm.. yeah follow me, I guess... oh uhm, leave your weapons here, for they surely are no match anyway for the dark master."

Leonis stifles himself before he can laugh but sure enough leaves his blaster carbine and cortosis staff. At the rate it was going, he would not need more than his fists to clock this dark master.

"Hes got a blaster!" The youth who was afraid to get grounded took a few steps back.

"Oh uhm, well that doesn't change anything, clearly the reputation of our dark master precedes us, see he handed them over willingly!" He smiled, quite pleased with that smart observation he made and then turned around. "Follow me and stay close! Or the other disciples will bring swift retribution on you!"

As they went through the warehosue entrance Leonis had to adjust his eyes a moment at the darkness but when he did he saw several other youths sitting in small groups scattered around, one of the nearest jumped up in surprise and raised his weapon, a spatula at the Cathar, hoping the adult wouldn;t notice his hand shaking.

The youth leading him spread his arms. "Do not worry! He is another supplicant for our dark master! Rejoice that others have seen the light and are willing to follow him!" A cheer came from the youth and the child with the spatula smiled and rushed forwards, hugging Leonis's legs.

The older kid tapped the leg hugger on the shoulder and the young Gran let go, smiling shyly and waved before he hurried back to his group.

His guide continued and brought him to a room whose door was guarded by two other kids who did their best to snap to attention and at the urging of Leonis's guide opened the doors and followed them in.

What waited for them within, was a throne like chair, filled with cushions of all kinda, near the throne were platters filled with fruit and sweets. What captivated Leonis's eyes was the creature sitting on the throne, who blinked as he woke up, rubbing his eyes. "What's going o-" The squib blinked and widened his eyes. "You!?" Casa Nova exclaimed in surprise as he recognized the Cathar.

Leonis' brows shoot up in surprise as he crosses his arms over his barrel-chest. “Really, Novae?” His hand thuds against his forehead before he looks back up, “Do you know what would happen if a real Anti-Force unit showed up at your doorsteps? They don't take these things lightly.” He looks around at the little disciples about him, “And something tells me you've been reading old human novels. Don't tell me you've got them stealing knick-knacks and treats for you.” He couldn't help but wonder if one of the kids was called Oliver.

The Gran youth looked unsure and then pointed their sticks at Leonis. "What is he talking about dark master? Should we start hitting the infidel?"

Casa Nova recovered, placing his hands together and shook his head. "No, my loyal disciples, I will deal with this old.... acquitance of mine.... Myself! Leave us! And do not come in even if you hear screams!" The squib looked at Leonis, "Even if they are my own..."

The three gran looked at each other then one shrugged and started marching out, a second later the other gran followed, leaving Leonis with Casa Nova.

The squib stared intently at the door and when it was certain the Gran had obeyed him he hurried off his throne towards Leonis and jumped, grabbing him by his vest and dragged his upper body down so the Cathar was bending over and Casa Nova could whisper urgently to his face. "Get me out of here! Those kids are crazy!"

Leonis laughs and grabs the Squib by the scruff of his neck, hefting him up. “Well whose fault is that, huh, Novae? Maybe if you weren't flashing around some force-user's toy you probably stole, claiming to be some mighty Sith, this wouldn't have happened.” He crooks his head to the side, “Where did you get the lightsaber, anyways?”

"Taris, some tattoo chick who was enamoured with my charms and didn't saw where my hands were, look that beautifully furred sisters of yours with the amazing smile and delighted scent offered me a job once and I might be inclined to accept her offer now if you can get me away from those zealots!" He snorted, "Almost cut off my paw when I activated it for the first time!"

If his expression could be seen behind the reflective face shield, it would have dropped from thoughtful to hurt. Memories of his late sister flood to the forefront of his mind as he growls and lifts Novae up higher, “You don't have much choice, Novae. You're coming with me and telling me everything about this woman. Anyone who was with her, what she was doing.” He remembered clearly the disciples of the Sith woman. They had repelled them off once, even at the loss of a young Echani from the creche, but they still paid a toll against the man of the trio. He pauses, trying to smooth his ruffled fur as he continues, “And we'll call it community service. I'm sure you've wracked up quite a list of offenses against the Galaxy at large with your affairs since we last met.”

Casa Nova let out a shriek of indignation! "Well I'll be! I expect better treatment when you present me to your sister!"

Leonis' claws begin to dig into Casa's scruff, “She's dead.”

The squib blinked and his face fell, "Ah." For once in his life he looked quite serious and his next words were not some kind of quip or well hidden lie or subturfuge. "My condolences, I did not know." Next he groaned, "Look I would love to come with you, but if I leave those child zealots think I am going against my will and they will attack you, I am many things but I do not like to see kids get hurt... even if they are crazy... I mean it was cute at first, they even brought me offerings and asked me for my wisdom... but then they got a bit too serious and now I'm a prisoner!"

Leonis huffs and sets the Squib down. “I've got it covered.” He walks over to the door and peeks out, “Little disciples of the dark master. Your master is coming with me to plan against the offensive force. He has decided to come with me to my battleship so we might plan our next move against the scum who foolishly think to capture him. Fear not, we will return. But you must keep your village safe! Remain diligent young soldiers!”

Casa Nova blinked and quickly hurried to his side, "Yes! Yes, what he said! In fact, return to your homes, your familes, act like this was all a mistake but you all knwo the truth, you are to be hidden, hiding in plain sight for my return, it may take years, decades even but I will return to those disciples who remain loyal!"

The gran had all gathered outside the door and looked at each other, "Is that truly your wish dark master?" Casa Nova quickly nodded and the Gran children all nodded solemnly. "As the master commands, we will go home and pretend we are just children and while our parents may believe it they will never know we will one day rise up and cast them down!"

The gran let out a cheer but then one of the children spoke up. "Does that mean we also need to go back to school?"

Casa Nova blinked and nodded, "Yes, sad I know, but the illusion of your disguise must be complete, that includes school... oh and chores.... and other things you might not like, but I will return with my trusted acolyte at my side!" He gestured to Leonis, "But now we must leave, come acolyte, take me to my ship!" He blinked, "On second thought, carry me to my ship!" The squib crossed his arms and looked expectingly at Leonis to pick him up and carry him out of the warehouse and to whatever ship the Cathar had waiting.

Leonis' unamusement was clear as could be, even as he heft up the Squib ruffly and holds him over his shoulder, 'accidentally' smacking him into a lamp on the wall. “Whoops. Clumsy me,” he huffs as he carries the squib on his shoulder lack a sack of potatoes. As he goes out the front, he grabs her gear in one hand and gives a wave for his soldiers to move out and return to the ship.

Casa Nova was whining and grumbled, "Please tell me I aren't stuck working with you.... didn't your sister, again my deepest condolences, have any other people, preferably, lovely creatures of feminity, I can work with? I am much more a people person than a.... well warrior. I am a lover, not a fighter."

“Maybe Ba'al would be happy to have you, Novae. But not without a trade. I need a force user on my team, already. They'd have been able to tell from the start it was just some idiot like you,” he grunts. He checks over his shoulder to see he was free from the sight of the kids before dropping Casa Nova roughly to the ground. “You walk from here, runt.”

"Awww... you are definitely no fun." Novae whines and sighs. "And my apologies but all I remember of the woman I stole the lightsaber from... one moment." He reached inside his clothes and came out with the saber hilt, handing it to Leonis. "Was that she was somewhat cute, you see I was hiding from a Herglic who apparently was under the ridiculous notion I had slept with his wife! Imagine me, a small squib, sleeping with a large Herglic female!" He shook his head as if it was a silly idea. "So tell me, this Ba'al, where is she and where can I meet her?"

Leonis removes his helmet, scratching through his hair. “Eh, only had one message from her for awhile yet. Apparently she was heading to the Nova Retreat?” He shrugs and looks over his shoulder as his ships began to load up. “I suppose we could change course and head that way. It's been a bit since I saw how she was faring.”

Leonis kept a hold on the scruff of Casa Nova's jacket and when he returned to his men he noticed the odd looks they were giving him and he looked at his 'prisoner' and was in for quite a surprise, he was still holding the jacket of the squib.... but he was no longer wearing it, a inflatable copy of Casa Nova was wearing the jacket instead, along with a taped on piece of paper that read the following:

'Forgive me for these hastily written words but I feel no desire to travel with you, I have heard of this Nova Retreat and it's wonderful casinos and hospitality to guests. I shall get to my own means of transportation and meet this Ba'al there myself, do not worry, I shall let you hear from me very soon.

PS, my thanks for the credits in your pocket, I shall put them to good use.'

Leonis sighs and tosses the jacket to one of the bloodhunters, “We're heading to the Nova Retreat, boys.”