Act I: Sands of Time

[Simone]

A triumphant smile formed on her lips as the glare from @[member="Gerion Ardik"] was finally dropped. Humility worked wonders, truly. She looked up at @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] and patted his arm with an apologetic look, wondering if she'd verbally warned him of her recklessness or if he'd worked that out himself after their first meeting. A little more relaxed and feeling somewhat pleased with herself. She shot @[member="Habaek"] another cold look, still annoyed he hadn't answered her questions.

"If the child is Akala, then following her is unlikely to end in anything good. Having said that, there aren't exactly many other options open to us." She shurgged "So lets go meet queeny and see if she can give us something else as annoying as the King did." She started to walk over the dune that Akala had disappeared behind, followed shortly after by @Alexander Shadowstalker. Mind was still ticking over, she needed to get a moment with Tamara, perhaps she could answer some questions. They were ins this together now, afterall.

@[member="Darth Vornskr"] @[member="Assadar Ilrast"] @[member="Doc"]

 

[Queen Naala]

@[member="Alexandra Shadowstalker"] @Anyone else by the river

The Queen, waiting for her daughter @[member="Young Akala"] to answer, did not immediately react. But then the odd collection of strangers appeared down the side of the dunes.
Naala looked at them all. There were quite a few of them, and her guards moved forward protectively until she raised her hand.
“Greetings, travellers. Has your transport crashed, so you must walk on foot over desert sands? Come, drink at the river, we intend you no harm so long as you intend us no ill.”

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

@[member="Queen Naala"] @[member="Young Akala"]

Alexandra finally straightened up and spoke in a light, respectful tone as she stared at the ancient queen with her soft silver eyes. She made sure her hood was down and pulled her hair clear of restriction from the robe before letting the silvered blue hair fall on her shoulders. "I thank you, if i am right you are the queen of this world? i ask because i am not a native here at all, nor to your kingdom or as i suspect empire. Though if you would indulge a few questions i would be most thankful." She went and sat down, looking towards @[member="Tamara"] and waving her over, should the girl still be with her.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

@[member="Alexandra Shadowstalker"]

Tamara did come over, but all feelings of emancipated freedom fell away as she beheld the Queen, who was probably still her Mistress in some sort of indefinable way.
Hanging back, she essayed a low bow, and tried to stay out of the way.

 

[Vorhi Alestrani]

Main Group--trying to explain just how bad things are

Vorhi simply nodded sourly. "Not just a truce with each other, Doc. Truce with everything we meet. One dead body now could mean millions never being born in our time. For now we watch, wait, minimize our involvement, and slow down. This 'Akala' is currently at the center of all this. We need to find out why. Somebody wants us to see all this, and they decided to gamble some high stakes to do it. If someone tries to kill you, run. If someone picks a fight, you run. And whatever you do, no playing connect the power cables with the locals. It's like injecting your blood into a river--it'll cause all kinds of problems. Taht goes double for me, since my entire species doesn't exist yet," he said with a nod. He looked at Gerion. "I know you well enough to know you're going to be very angry when we find whoever decided to do this to us. Thing is, whoever could force us all here without our knowledge, can do much worse. Time to play it cool, until we figure out what strings are being pulled, and how to pull them back."

He nodded to Simone. "Right now, we don't need a journalist to make statements," he said calmly. "You can trade barbs later. Right now, we need a journalist to keep her eyes about, looking for details. Important, minor, observable, details. So do what you do best, and piece together the facts. Fact one: We have all been sent back over a hundred thousand years in time. Fact two: Akala's life seems to be what we're following. So, why would someone be giving us a unguided tour of her life? That is the question, isn't it?" He said calmly. "First one to find the answer owes the other a drink. Now, from one fact-hunter to another, let's get to it."

He walked over, heading towards the indicated oasis. This would be a mess. Then again, maybe it would work.

@[member="Doc"] @[member="Gerion Ardik"] @[member="Simone"]

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

@[member="Gerion Ardik"] @[member="Simone"]

Jaxton was pleased to see cooler heads prevail as The Emperor of Lost Knowledge responded. He didn't have any new information, but he'd stayed his blade and attempted to plooked contribute. Unless he was lying, but the man was as trapped as they were. He had little reason to, other than for siths and giggles.

Feeling a pat on his arm he looked down to see a reporter with a face. He responded with a faint smile, as if to say not to sweat it. Truth be told he wasn't sure if he could have taken the former Sith Lord mano-e-mano, especially with his friends around, but she didn't need to know that. With the time and space literally changing around them it was best to show something regarding stability.

He followed her as she headed over to meet 'Queeny' and Akala. Though they'd only been around the block twice, both times it involved the Kwa royalty. If they were time traveling by chance it was probably just due to the close proximity kf the time periods, but if not then it meant the Kwa Royalty was the purpose of their travels. Whether to observe or disrupt was yet to be seen, but he had the feeling following them was wise.

 

[Tefka]

Akala pulled her sled up and went barreling into her mothers' arms.

"Mother mother, peasants in the dunes! Look at them.... they're here to kill us!" The little girl sneered at @[member="Jaxton Ravos"].

"They're jealous."

Akala waltzed up to Jaxton as a detachment of the Royal Guard followed her. She spit at his feet.

"What's wrong with your face, commoner? When's the last time you bathed?" She opened her arms, motioning to the river. "You can't share our river, it's rah-served for meeeee."

Akala stuck her tongue out.

 

[Queen Naala]

@[member="Young Akala"] @Main group at the river bank

Akala frowned at the vehemence erupting from her daughter. Peasants were peasants, it was true, but it wasn’t tactful to remind the downtrodden that they were…well…downtrodden. She stood, holding her daughter in her arms.
“They do not look dangerous, darling. They look thirsty and confused. A Princess must learn when to be stern and when to be gracious.”
She eyed the strangers. “Still, I would like to know who you are, and why you are here.”
The Queen ensured her guards were at hand, just in case.

 

[Antares]

@ANYONE NEAR RIVER, ON DUNE. -MAIN GROUP THEN?

He watched from a distance the going-ons at the river. He was atop the dune that would lead him straight down to the river though he didn't move. He didn't understand. What species was this? He would have to brush up on his knowledge of the galaxy when he returned...If he returned.

He kept his hand hovering near his lightsaber, though it was hidden within his black jedi robes, and he still made no move to grab for it. There were dark siders nearby, plus two or more uneasy...sentients at the river? It would be better to keep his weapons hidden, for now.

 

[Tefka]

"Uuuuuugh."

Akala turned on her heel and stomped away from her mother, @[member="Queen Naala"].

"It's SO HOT EVERYWHERE," she yelled, belly flopping into the river and totally ignoring the strangers now.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

@[member="Queen Naala"] @[member="Young Akala"]

Alexandra spoke to the queen in response to her question, glancing at @[member="Tamara"] First before doing so. "Well actually we all dont know why we were brought here, you see, just a few minutes ago we were in your capital and your husband, your daughter's father, King Oa was it. He announced your daughters birth and then now we are here, someone is bringing us through time and for some reason we are following your daughter's growth for some reason... Im Alexandra by the way, Former Sith Apprent- that is going to mean nothing actually... im a Rogue Force User..." She paused for a moment before speaking one more time. "By the way, your people do know what the force is right, my friend here grew fearful when i used it earlier." She motioned to Tamara. "Also how is you understand and can speak Galactic Basic, is it your empire's main language?"

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

Jaxton watched in mild suprise as a little girl, the Princess Akala as it were, ran up to him, accused him of murderous intent, then spat at his feet. It was somewhat surprising, that with the Sith Lords, Witches, and heaven forbid the Galactic Media she singled him out the bringer of destruction. He guessed he just had one of those angry evil peasant faces.

"Well aren't you a cute little girl?" He said as he squatted down to look @[member="Young Akala"] in the eyes. "Remind me of my little girl back home. A lot better basic though." He said, not sure why they'd know Galactic Basic so long ago, but going with it anyways.

He then stood to his full height so he could address the girl's mother. She seemed in command, and of a bit more experienced sort than her daughter. "My name is Jaxton Ravos. This is a friend of mine @[member="Simone"]. We're travelers who've gotten a bit lost. We'd appreciate it if your highness would be gracious enough to allow us to get some water from the river." He spoke to @[member="Queen Naala"], hoping for some understanding. He doubted the woman knew much about the time traveling phenomena that was overtaking them, but some food and water for the next jump would be helpful.

 

[Orn'komad]

Orn briefly glanced at @[member="Young Akala"] Emil enviously as she splashed in the river, but returned his attention the conversation with @[member="Queen Naala"]. His right lek curled as the former Sith appren- er, "rogue Force user" - bumbled her way through her speech. The curl was the Twi'lek equivalent of a facepalm. Too much talk, too many questions, and far too much information about themselves.
For the first time since the madness had begun, Orn spoke directly to someone. Pushing to the front, he made a slight bow. "Forgive us, your majesty. As my friend" he shot a quick, less-than-happy glance at @[member="Alexandra Shadowstalker"] "so tactlessly put it, we appear to be somewhat lost." He paused, trying to understand himself what had just happened. "A few minutes ago, we were standing in a city and King Oa was about to explain to us what the.... what was happening. This was immediately after the announcement of the birth of Akala. Before that, we were," he hesitated for just a millisecond, "in a different time altogether. None of us have any idea what caused this." His left lek twitched. He hated not knowing. "Now we're here. I would ask for an explanation, but we'd all probably disappear before it could be given. On behalf of all of us, I give you my deepest apologies for the intrusion. I expect we'll be out of your way shortly."

Not bad for having realized only a few minutes ago he wasn't hallucinating. With any luck, she'd assume he was only mostly insane instead of completely bonkers.

 

[Queen Naala]

@[member="Alexandra Shadowstalker"] @[member="Young Akala"] @Orn'komad

The Queen nodded. It was…like she wasn’t hearing the words Alexandra was saying. Or at least, not hearing them all. Like the King before when they had been in the city, it was like she could not hear some of the things being said.
“I am pleased to meet you, Alexandra,” Naala said, smiling as her daughter splashed in the river. “Of course I know what the Force is. It is a power which binds the galaxy together. But it is not permitted for the lower castes to use it. I am glad you met my husband, he is a great and wise King.”

When the strange alien came and apologised she nodded graciously to him, still as if not fully hearing his words.
“It is quite alright. Be at peace. Those with good will shall meet good will in return.”

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

Alexandra nodded in response to the queens simple answer, though she noted she had avoided the question about the language difference or rather didnt even hear it maybe. It didnt matter, as she had to thank the queen for the information. "Thank you Queen... im apologize i do not know your name nor did i think to ask, if it isnt too much to ask of you might i receive your name in return for mine which you know, i know this might sound beneath you but it is easier for me to address you if i know it." She looked at @[member="Tamara"] and mouthed the words 'I understand why you ran' before turning her head back to @[member="Queen Naala"]. Here eyes did stop on @[member="Young Akala"] for a moment while she sat there near the queen, studying her once over and recording what she saw, something about the girl was important, more so than just her position. She also nodded once to @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] out of respect, though she had never met him. She did leave out any form of acknowledgement for @Orn'komad, she didnt really care for tactful answers afterall, but ones that got straight to the point.

 

[Talos Rygat]

Talos phased into view in a swirled of his Echoes near the Oasis. Walking out of the whirlwind, Talos round up the floating ghastly skulls with an open palm. They flowed into his hand and when the last one disappeared. Dressed in his usual black wraps and robes, Talos moved to the water where a small child floundered around. He decided to to speak with the child.

Young one, might I ask your name? I am called Talos. I am not from around here.

@[member="Queen Naala"] @[member="Young Akala"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Satisfied that there was no danger, Vulpesen slowly rose from the sands, letting it fall off of his robes as he walked towards the queen. A figure of black rising from the tan ground. Shadow or not, he did enjoy the dramatic entrances, eve if impressiveness was rather subtle. "What would you consider a lower caste your highness? Where I am from, I am actually something of a noble." His smile was kept polite and charming, a product of his time as the son of a first class merchant. Maybe he was stretching the truth a little, but he did enjoy using the force. Besides, Zarro was not a politician and before that he had been a rather prominent name on a world of merchants. After he was finished speaking to the queen, he turned his attention to the princess, smiling kindly. "I am truly that my antics scared you, but we are not familiar with this place and my curiosity did seem to get the best of me. I hope you can forgive a shadow of Amar."

@[member="Young Akala"] @[member="Queen Naala"] @[member="Alexandra Shadowstalker"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

MAIN GROUP

@[member="Queen Naala"] | @[member="Vulpesen"] | @[member="Jaxton Ravos"] | @[member="Simone"] | @[member="Darth Vornskr"] | @[member="Vorhi Alestrani"] | @[member="Doc"] | @ERRYBODY ELSE

This whole "don't condescend to people and play nice" thing Tyrin was trying out suddenly became a lot harder with the appearance of the small child, Akala. She spat at the pink man's feet. The gall! The patience of light siders was something to be admired, Tyrin would come to admit. Or maybe it was because the Zeltron had a child of his own. That was probably it. A young woman attempted to explain the situation to the Queen but did a rather poor job of it. A Twi'lek man also attempted to do the same and, although he did a better job, the Queen seemed to outright ignore the both of them. The King was insufferable, the Queen ignoring them, and the Child totally out of line. This entire family needed a back-handed slap into oblivion.

Speaking of the entire family, it seemed strange that the daughter of two particularly disgusting aliens could look so human. There were a lot of things that were inherently off about this situation, most of all the fact they were time traveling. By the speech of those around them, it seemed everyone kept forgetting that their chief objective should be getting the hell out of here. Unbelievable. That clueless simpleton calling himself a Shadow of Amar had somehow made this about him. Who the hell cared what this loathsome alien monarch and her bastard child considered nobility or if they knew of the Force? They were all dead! Their empire fell thousands of years ago! It was utterly Irrelevant to their current predicament!

Tyrin recalled King Oaf mentioning an individual by the name of Mako who had been tampering with "the gates." If it had been someone by that name to bring them to this mess, then they would be the ones to bring them out. It was possibly the only thing of worth the daft King had mentioned, alongside being able to send them back. If the Queen, in all her blighted foolishness, was ignoring the Twi'lek and the bumbling "rogue Force-User," then she would hopefully answer a more direct inquiry.

Denying the urge to roast Vulpesen over a fiery pit of insults for his complete lack of prioritization, Tyrin spoke. "Where is Mako? Do not ignore me as you did them."

 

[Moira Skaldi]

@[member="Jorus Merrill"]

Apparently everyone was heading towards the river and converging on the Queen, who seemed ready to indulge the peasants and give them the illusion of paying attention to them while not saying anything of significance. But playing the accessible sovereign was always good for public relations - after all, sometimes it was best not to remind the peasants that they were....peasants. However, either the Queen was not willing to give them the answers they needed or simply not hearing them. Like some force prevented her.

"For some reason people of an ancient race who lived 100,000 years ago are fully capable of speaking and understanding Galactic Basic." Moira had hung back at the dunes, though she had the Queen and her guards in sight. The Emperor of Lost Knowledge was trying a more direct approach it seemed -unfortunate that Velok was not here, him stealing the archives and vaporising two planets afterwards had been most amusing.

Regardless even Moira, with the patience of an assassin droid, was getting annoyed. Or, to put it more clearly, bored. Cryptic Kwa were just as annoying to her as cryptic space elves to a certain @[member="Spencer Jacobs"]. At heart HRDs were not particularly subtle unless their mission required it. Direct intervention was clearly necessary.

"This is getting us nowhere and we do not know when we will be time-jumped again before we receive answers. Our 'comrades' tactics are inefficient. We should exterminate the guards and see whether this forces answers from the Queen or more likely Akala the child of destiny. She is the one we've been brought here for. Or provokes the force god of the annoying voice to a reaction," she said softly to Jorus. Exaggeratedly brutal violence was the perfect answer. The most annoying thing about the whole affair was that she presently did not have the resources to build a processing device...else she could have started the Age of Steel...in the past!

 

[Domino]

Main Group
@Darth Vornskr @Gerion Ardik @Domino @Cyrus Tregessar @[member="Circe Savan"]
Whirling at the sound of her name, Domino scanned the crowd looking for a familiar face, there! A green-skinned woman, Circe, and a group of people most of whom she didn't quite recognize. Were they the ones responsible for...? No, they didn't look to have any malicious intent, not against her anyways, and probing with the force didn't show anything unusual beyond a high amount of masters gathered. Actually poking around with the force should have been the first thing she'd done, but on second thought if might have tipped off anyone else around about her. Not that whoever did this didn't already have the advantage. "Any of you know what's going on?" She asked without preamble after fighting her way through the street to them. Better to be in a group than alone for something like this.