Private Fish and her Birdie

[Falentra]

From the time she had opened her eyes after having somehow fallen unconscious, this odd little bird was there by her side. The animal was a presence that brought her some comfort after her traumatic skirmish with the sadistic cipher of kaine. Nouqai had managed to sneak the avian onto the spacecraft that had rescued the padawans off the dangerous grounds of myrkr. It was quite unexpected that the bird stuck around even after they landed in corellia - a planet much safer than Myrkr. Even after her attempts to shoo it away, it was stubborn, following her everywhere. Of course, Nouqai couldn't abandon an animal that had clearly chosen her.

She'd hidden the bird in the bag and managed to sneak it into the dormitory. When they were out of view, carefully, Nouqai picked the bird up with both hands, lifting it up to eye level and bringing it towards the window."Are you sure you don't want to leave? To be free like the other birds?" she asked. Although knowing deep down that she herself wouldn't want it to, she would never imprison an animal.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Falentra as he would find out was her name, had been an impressive figure indeed. One did not survive CI-6660 when she was aiming for a kill, and whether she had assistance from that Wookie Jedi or not, he now knew her strength.

Underestimating her had been his first mistake.

Believing that her short height, her recovering from the battle, even indeed, his belief that she could be turned to the darkside easily.

Had all worked against him, enough to allow her to drown him.

It had been a small miracle that he survived that, but it was enough to remind him of a lesson that had been imprinted on him since birth.

Underestimate no one.

Yet it had not been entirely a waste, though she was unconvinced of that moment his overtures towards the darkside, he could sense it within her. Out of desperation, she had tapped into the darkside to survive... and survive she had... against Vornskrs, against Kainites, even against him. Certainly, one to keep an eye out on.

For all her potential, she had still chosen a Jedi path.

Something extremely dangerous for her, if they sensed in her the darkness...

...Malum was not sure what they would do to her.

Yet, she had chosen the Jedi path, he knew he should have killed her right then and there, hardened his heart, done as he had set out to do at the very beginning, capture and convert the willing, eliminate all those that were unwilling. Yet... be it that potential, be it his bleeding heart, be it... as he tried to convince himself, of the utility of her position, he had not done so.

Instead, he tapped into what Lily Rhodes had taught him... no doubt she would... disapprove of him doing so. Yet extending on all that she had taught him, extending on what he knew himself, he had scoured her mind took in her thoughts, her feelings, and forcibly snapped part of her memories.

Her memory of those events would be hazy.

They would specifically not feature one red-eyed and raven-haired man.

All the while, he left an imprint of him, something that would bring her to him, when the time was right.

And... he sent one of his Sith Familiars with her, having it hide its darkside energy, it was simply to anyone else, an overtly friendly, or perhaps brave, raven, who followed around the... well whatever she was, he had never encountered a species like her, first imagining her a Quarren, quickly he realised her physiology did not fit.

Whatever she was, through the raven's inky black orbs, red rubies stared, watching, learning.

He had an unwitting agent among the Jedi now.

Now, it seemed trouble was brewing. The raven tilted its head, seeming to consider the proposition Veil had given it, before squawking, and flying atop her head, and delivering a soft peck at her tentacled hair.

Seeming to pout.

A sufficient enough answer.

 

[Falentra]

Crows and ravens were intelligent for a non-sentient, it was as if it understood her. Wings flapping as it now perched atop of her, prodding at the roots of her tentacles. The 14 year old let out a high-pitched giggle, her mood seeming to flip almost entirely. "Careful not to slip up there." She said. Her room was by no means large - the dorms of padawans were small, with only the basic necessities, a single bed, a small desk, a window and shelf. With the bird still on her head, she moved, towards a small suitcase on the ground at the foot of her bed.

"I think I'll name you Corvus." She told the bird, kneeling down to pack her things. Having been raised in the temple, she didn't have much. The allowance she was given was usually spent on food, and occasionally new clothes. "I've been assigned a master. We'll be leaving tomorrow. But you can come along too," She chatted on. It was nice to have someone - even if it was an animal - to talk to. "I hope he doesn't mind. He is a wookie. He saved me from that crazy elf on Myrkr." Gently, Nouqai lifted the bird from her head and sat him down on the table.

Then she rolled up her sleeve of her left hand. The turned the insides of her wrist to show the bird. The mark - still tender and healing. It was unfortunate becta didn't work as effectively on her. Tears started to well up in her eyes, recalling the entire experience, the pain and the fear, that she wanted nothing more than to forget. "I don't think it'll heal away. I don't know what the crazy elf drew... but it looks... sith." Quickly, she rolled her sleeve back down, too ashamed of the mark for it to be in sight, even a mere bird. She was a jedi, with a mark of the darkside engraved on her.


"The council says I should keep it hidden. The good thing about this... is that I passed my trial of flesh. "

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Such was the fate of things, as soon as she had given the bird warning, it squawked indignantly, his talons almost lost grip, and he almost tumbled down the amphibian padawan. It would only be due to luck that it barely kept hold, talons curling around tentacle for dear life, as it crucked, and crucked, in mild protest as the amphibian carried him upon its head down to the suitcase at the foot of the head.

For Malum.

It was the revelation that being a bird, was a lot more difficult than he imagined, even if all he was doing for the most part was simply looking through his familiar's eyes.

The familiar turned its head seemingly out of curiosity at the name that came out of Veil's lips.

Before flapping its wings in the air, seemingly a silent applause, squawking in approval.

Only to grow silent, as Mlaum listened intently, to the other words.

Assigned a new master, and seemingly the Wookie that had saved her from the Kainite. He, unfortunately, did not know much more, indeed did not know if the Wookie would be a boon or a hindrance to his plan, but he supposed... anyone would do if they allowed... "Corvus" to remain close by to the padawan.

If not, it would make things complicated quickly.

The raven grew very silent, mirroring the simmering silent rage that Malum felt, as she revealed the Kainite brand put upon her. The temptation to reach out, to help her, grew far too strong. Yet, it seemed he would never have to make the decision, as with the raven deadly still, it would be Nouqai who would cover up the mark. As Corvus reached down to station himself upon her shoulder, pressing its beak gently against her face, motioning gently, trying to offer what little comfort it could, seeming to sense her distress.

With her none the wiser of the truth.

Corvus suddenly stopped at her final words.

The Trial of the Flesh...

...It made sense.

There were still four Trials left.

...However, it did mean he had less time.

He played the long game, but he may need to shorten this to succeed.

Falentra