Adrift (Marriskcal Lati)

[Kirie]

Kirie felt a pang of concern as she saw Marr share a look with their robotic companion. Had she said something wrong? Perhaps her curiosity was perceived as an unwelcome probe for information. Stupid. She was stupid to ask these things. For a moment she'd forgotten where exactly she was, what kind of people she was dealing with. Though her features remained impassive she winced internally and prepared to be grilled and admonished for asking such personal questions to someone so clearly above her station.

But the girl was not angry, merely hesitant. It seemed that Kirie had not -as she had thought- personally offended Marr, but merely stumbled across a topic she was either unwilling or unable to share. Marr's explanation of her position was vague and incredibly guarded, to the point where it was clear that the 'individual to whom she'd sworn fealty took her silence very seriously. As for the individual, that could be many people within the Order. Perhaps some high ranking government or security official. Perhaps even the Grand Moff herself.

But probably not. Marr clearly commanded respect, but a servant to one of the highest authorities in the entire regime would not trouble herself with someone like Kirie.

One thing however, was clear. The subject should not be broached again. It was foolish of Kirie to ask, and she was lucky Marr had not been irritated by her questioning.

'I understand. My apologies for prying.'

Kirie stared down at her bowl, suddenly embarrassed. It had been so long since she had somebody to talk to, and she'd got carried away. She needed to dial things back, stay aware of where she was and who she was dealing with.

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Praetorian Initiate
Equipment | Black Robes, Code Cylinder, Lightsaber (blue)
Location | Mess Deck of FIV Kali, Hyperspace
Allies | RA-7 Protocol Droid (black & silver)
Friendly | [member="Kirie Ito"]

[SIZE=11pt]A small frown pulled at the corner of her mouth when Kirie averted her eyes, even as RA-7 continued to verbalise her gestures into words.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]While Marriskcal did not fully understand the reason behind the sudden hesitance, the praetorian knew well enough that there were matters that you should not broach. Like how they were not supposed to ask after the previous name of their brothers and sisters once they took on a new one. The blonde could only presume from the swift apology that she offered that perhaps Kirie thought she has overstepped her bounds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And perhaps she did. But being an innately curious being herself, it was not something Marriskcal would ever fault the other for.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Well, there was only one thing she could do in hopes of dispelling the awkward silence that has arisen.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The praetorian pushed her tray to the side, stretching out an arm across the table before she laid the side of her face on it, her head tilted up so she could hold Kirie’s gaze. “This–” she started, her other hand coming up to make a fluttering wave that vaguely illustrated the small distance between the both of them. “–is not something you need to apologise for. Nor is it something you should feel any regret for asking. We do not know each other well enough at this point to be able to discern the topics or matters that may, or may not be sensitive to the other. It would probably come with time… and a lot of trials.” Especially when it came to her own deficiencies.

It was the foibles of forming a relationship. There will come a time where you would end up saying or doing something to hurt another person, even when that was the last thing you wanted.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“But I definitely do not feel offended or upset by your question. Because honestly[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]? If I were in your position, I would have asked the same.” The blonde tapped a finger on the table, giving the archeologist a small smile. “Not everything can be learned from the Archives, as expansive as they can be. And sometimes, you have to ask to find out what something is before you can even start doing research on it. I’m actually surprised at how patient my siblings has been with my incessant questions.” Even when she has asked so very many questions due to her ignorance and given remarks that were coloured by her limited view of the galaxy.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“And how would you know what is allowed or not if you do not ask[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]?” Just like how she would not be sitting here and talking to Kirie if she did not muster her courage and spelled her intention to the Overlord when she was younger. “If it is something that I cannot speak about, I will just tell you so. But I will never become upset at you over it,” she promised the other.

Her smile turned unrepentant, a clear gleam of mischief entering her eyes. “And knowing my own inclinations of asking questions and imparting unnecessary remarks, I will end up offending your sensibilities and exasperating you soon enough.” Her counterpart and brother may have been kind enough to guide her whenever she revealed her ignorance, but she doubted that everyone was the same. Kirie may seem like the surface of a lake, calm and placid. But whether that would hold true, or would the brunette reveal a more fiery temperament when Marriskcal continuously tested and pushed her is something that remained to be seen. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“Also, it would be tiresome if we both keep having to apologise to each other whenever we have an unintentional lapse. Why don’t we both just agree that any questions of a sensitive nature we stumble on from this point is asked without malice[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]? Because I have a lot of questions I want to ask you, and I suspect that some of them may be slightly intrusive.” The blonde raised her head at the thought of being able to learn more about what being an archeologist entailed. The holomovies and holodramas all made it seem so very exciting. “You are welcome to tell me ‘no’ at any point since it’s more out of personal curiousity than anything else.”[/SIZE]

 

[Kirie]

It was a relief to find out that Marr had not taken offense, and that she didn't mind Kirie's questioning. With her joking on the subject it was pretty obvious the warrior was not just saying that either, she really didn't mind, and felt it natural to be curious. Kirie looked up from her meal, her cheeks still tinged slightly with the rosy glow of embarrassment, and brushed a stray hair from her face.

The food and caf was settling in her stomach, warming her through, and though the majority of the ship was vast, sterile, and unfamiliar, the mess hall wasn't all that bad. The atmosphere was calm, and the crew eating across the room appeared relaxed, except for an occasional half-glance their way that Kirie almost missed, and could not read. Even the light here was more warm and inviting, a more yellow shade than the hospital white of the gleaming corridors.

She offered a small laugh at the comment about offending her sensibilities. Living the life she had, Kirie had met many hundreds of people more offensive than Marr. There was little danger of the girl upsetting her accidentally. It occurred to Kirie that Marr may not have seen too much of the Galaxy outside the influence of the Order. That was the case for most Imperials she'd met. Perhaps the girl was worried in her own way that she would accidentally breach the customs of the hidden universe beyond her reach. It was an interesting thought.

Marr herself seemed unrelentingly cheerful, even sprightly, and despite herself, Kirie felt her own dour mood begin to improve the longer the pair chatted. There was just an ease about her that Kirie hadn't had with someone in, well, a long time. Probably not since Commenor. A twinge of hurt twisted in her gut, like a metal fragment left, lodged inside her, its exterior long ago healed. Instantly, instinctively, she pushed it away, down down into the depths, to be forgotten until the next reminder, when it would surface like a cork, like it did every time.

'I'm sure I can answer what you want to know.'

She gave a small smile. Marr had granted Kirie's curiosity, it was only fair that she grant the girl's.

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Praetorian Initiate
Equipment | Black Robes, Code Cylinder, Lightsaber (blue)
Location | Mess Deck of FIV Kali, Hyperspace
Allies | RA-7 Protocol Droid (black & silver)
Friendly | [member="Kirie Ito"]

[SIZE=11pt]Marriskcal found herself brightening when she caught the quiet laugh from her companion. The young woman straightened out her slump and leaned back against her seat, the grin she was wearing from before coloured by the clear brushstroke of satisfaction at being able to draw the other out of the solemn mood she had fallen into. She decided then and there that she liked seeing Kirie relaxed and content, more so when Marriskcal knew that she managed to elicit a smile and laughter from the brunette. Quietly, she decided she would do her best to try and get the other to do it more often in the following days. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Though her meal was barely touched until now, the praetorian pulled the tray back towards her and picked up her cutleries, slicing and dividing her meal into slightly larger than normal pieces. Popping a piece of the now-cold meat into her mouth, Marriskcal chewed on it thoughtfully, using the moment to dwell on the carte blanche that Kirie had inadvertently given her, her mind swirling with the thoughts and queries that she wanted to pester the other with.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The thought of being an archeologist or an explorer was something that never failed to bring a thrill to the young woman. And for someone who was so curious about the vast galaxy, Marriskcal could only imagine some of the amazing discoveries that Kirie has made and the perils she has managed to get herself out of. The blonde acquiesced that her some of her views may be affected by the popular holomovie series of Eisley Novar and his many misadventures, but she doubted that her brunette friend was any less impressive. And when she considered Kirie wielded a lightsaber and happened to also be a force sensitive… Well, she must be twice, if not thrice the explorer Eisley Novar is.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Her eyes wide with excitement at the tail end of the thoughts her meandering mind took her, Marriskcal swallowed the bite she took before she launched into the first volley of her questions.

“Have you ran into one of those boulder traps in a narrow corridor before on one of your excavation trips? What would you even do if you find yourself trapped between them and a dead end?” The fact that she saw it on one of the holomovies has left an indelible impression in her mind. Marriskcal supposed that if a person possessed sufficient influence over the Force, it would not be much of a trouble. But what if the boulder had void stones embedded in it?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“What about pit traps? Have you ever seen one of those?” While the blonde was not as naïve as to think any creature could have survived those hundreds or even thousands of years, just thinking of the soup of decaying organic matter that has been stewing all this while… caused a delicate shudder to course through her body. More so when she remembered how her poor brother had ended up being drenched in sewerage during their mission on Lothal. Witnessing the incident in person was the main reason why Marriskcal has almost never left for an assignment without the safety of a sealed armour.[/SIZE]

 

[Kirie]

Across from Kirie, Marr chewed her food thoughtfully, clearly ruminating on the most searching, important question to ask the explorer. Kirie braced herself, ready to receive an onslaught of personal inquiries. People are curious, she understood that. And she would answer everything Marr asked, as best she could. She just hoped the young warrior wouldn't ask her to delve too deep into the past she kept shuttered away.

Kirie let out a genuine laugh as the girl asked her questions, a high pitched yelp that caused the men across the hall to turn their heads then look quickly away. Kirie reddened, but a grin still plastered her face. She'd been taken aback and completely disarmed by the question. What Kirie had expected was inquiries about her deafness, or how she wound up wandering the Galaxy alone. Not that there was anything inherently wrong about wondering, it was just that deep down Kirie was a private person, and rummaging through difficult memories was not how she wanted to spend her meal.

Instead, boulder traps and pitfalls. Amazing.

She thought about how she’d respond, and couldn’t help but giggle again. Frankly, it seemed that Marr had read too many adventure novels. The reality of being an explorer was that most of the time you didn’t find anything. If you did, it was almost always dusty, empty, a faded impression of a long-gone era. Usually little remained but an imprint, the smallest sign that once, something stood in this far-flung, forgotten Galactic corner. Still, it was exciting when you found a trace of something that existed thousands of years ago, lost to history.

But a little embellishment never hurt anyone, right?

‘No pit traps, or boulders. But once I was investigating a planet on Zaadja, on the very edge of the First Order’s territory, and I was ambushed by old, nearly defunct droid units dating back to before the Great Collapse.’

That was the only time she’d really been in trouble on an expedition. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but it was the only time the threat had come from the site itself, and not from pirates, lowlifes, or gangsters.

‘Luckily, there was a First Order retrieval squad there at the same time, otherwise I don’t know what I could’ve done.’

She shrugged almost imperceptibly. It was weird to talk about her ‘adventures.’ She didn’t consider herself much of an explorer, much of anything really.

‘I’m not some great adventurer or anything. I can’t use the Force, and I barely know how to turn this thing on.’

Kirie gestured lamely to her saber.

‘What about you? Surely you have some amazing stories.’

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Kirie]

Double post

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Praetorian Initiate
Equipment | Black Robes, Code Cylinder, Lightsaber (blue)
Location | Mess Deck of FIV Kali, Hyperspace
Allies | RA-7 Protocol Droid (black & silver)
Friendly | [member="Kirie Ito"]

[SIZE=11pt]The sharp and sudden laugh caught her by surprise this time and Marriskcal found herself staring at her rosy-cheeked companion. From the vantage of her seat, her eyes caught sight of the men looking in their direction, their aura clouded by their curiousity. But the moment they saw that she was returning their regard, they turned away, their interest quailed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]From the amusement and wide grin, the blonde knew that her fascination with those strange traps and weird apparatus were probably just another civilian construct. “Awwww, I was hoping that they existed. It would be really interesting to see if we can outwit their machinations.” She pouted at her tentative friend – she could think of Kirie as one, right[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]? – though she was beginning to the folly of allowing herself to believe in something that was produced by civilians and their strange notions. It was saddening for Marriskcal to know that most tombs and ancient sites did not have such protective measures. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“That sounds terrible. I’m definitely glad you found backup, or else they can overwhelm you really easily.” The Praetorian wrinkled her nose at the thought of being ambushed by droids. They were one of the least favourite opponents, as they did not possess a presence in the Force. And while they varied in difficulty depending on their design and programming, they often attacked in swarms. No, she did not envy Kirie and the squad members that encountered them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]But the young woman’s revelation that she was unable to shape and influence the Force despite her presence was something that Marriskcal had not thought possible. She blinked slowly, in slight disbelief, “But I can feel you clearly! Your presence is bright and warm, like–” The blonde paused for a moment, struggling to think of the right euphemism for how Kirie felt in the Force, “–like sipping at a mug of hot chocolate and sitting by a fireplace after being out in the snow for the whole day.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]With her clear and strong presence in the Force and equipped with a lightsaber, the Praetorian has presumed that the archeologist was formidable enough to take care of any troubled that could come her way. But it would seem that she was wrong in her conjecture. Or perhaps the other merely was not trained. Marriskcal narrowed her eyes when it alighted on her lightsaber. “We are fixing that in the next several days. I’m going to teach you the basics of defensive fighting at the very least.” Her tone brooked no argument.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]But for today and tomorrow, she was willing to allow Kirie a small grace period to recover from her shock and injuries. And so, Marriskcal acquiesced to her query for a story of her own adventure. “I mostly go wherever that is required of me, but one of the places that I would like to visit again is the Spires of Hell, which is located near the far ends of the the Unknown Region. Despite the unpleasant name, the researchers I overheard mentioned that the strange spires that is found on both the planet and moon were created by Celestials.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Marriskcal tilted her head and regarded the brunette as a thought came to mind. “Perhaps you would like to return one day to take a look at it?” she said faux innocently. It was a rather blatant attempt at trying to get someone she liked to visit. [/SIZE]

 

[Kirie]

Kirie nodded. She'd been told before her presence in the Force was very strong, enough so that particularly sensitive Jedi in the Trade Council Order would know she was coming even before she entered a room. Once it had been described as a rich, clear note, like the tolling of a bell. She decided she preferred the hot-chocolate analogy more. For her own part, she understood what they meant, but she didn't really see it. She couldn't sense any sort of "aura" around people, only a sort of gut feeling that she chalked up more to her perception than anything else. Perhaps, had circumstances been different, the Trace Council Order could have trained her to use the Force properly.

Marr continued to lament over Kirie’s shortcomings, paying particular attention to the lack of saber training. She wasn’t the first. Since she’d picked up the Bondar saber many people had tried to convince her to take lessons. Each time she’d refused. That was a matter of principle, there was too much war, too much violence in the Galaxy for Kirie to justify contributing to it. Still, sometimes when she was alone she would light the blade and bathe in its green shimmer, contemplating some faraway alternate life.

‘Well, I don’t really fight. I’m… Well I’m actually a sort of pacifist. This is what’s known as a Bondar Saber. Its blade stuns a target, instead of cutting.’

She considered what Marr had said about Spires of Hell. There was little in the way of documentation on planets within the Order. Ancient tomes were long-since destroyed or absorbed by private collectors, and anything modern was held firmly under the First Order’s lock and key. The idea that the structures had been built by Celestials, now that was interesting, though probably little more than conjecture. Kirie decided that she would have to see for herself to decide.

‘That sounds fascinating, I would love to go.’

Kirie pulled her saber off her belt, and slid it’s worn metal hilt across the table for the girl to examine. As she did so, she realised she carried another trinket that might interest Marr. Reaching behind her neck she retrieved a delicate silver chain from which hung a small crystal. Placing the pendant in her hand, she concentrated deeply, channeling what little control of the Force she had into the little stone. It flickered in response, and cast a soft blue light for a few seconds, before returning to its normal shade.

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Praetorian Initiate
Equipment | Black Robes, Code Cylinder, Lightsaber (blue)
Location | Mess Deck of FIV Kali, Hyperspace
Allies | RA-7 Protocol Droid (black & silver)
Friendly | [member="Kirie Ito"]

[SIZE=11pt]Her brows became furrowed in thought when the archeologist mentioned that she did not really fight and was a believer of pacifism. It was also the first time that the young woman has heard of such a blade as a ‘Bondar Saber’, though from Kirie’s explanation, it sounded somewhat similar to a lightsaber set to a low power output for training purposes. “Kirie, being a pacifist and not wanting to be an aggressor is fine. While I admit I do not really understand why you have decided to be one, I will respect your decision.” No, for someone who was carefully nurtured since she was a youngling to be wielded like weapon by the Supreme Leader, it was an idealistic view.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]While Kirie may be a kind person, the Galaxy was often cruel to people like her. And Marriskcal did not want to see the light quenched from her friend’s eyes. “Nonetheless, you have to remember that it is the intentions of others that you have to be concerned about. Possessing the abilities and skills to fight does not mean you have to use it. Think of it as an alternative in case you find yourself in an untenable situation. Having the ability to choose whether to use them or not is always better than suffering without any recourse and find yourself regretting that you are unable to do anything.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]It was an honest plea for Kirie to reconsider her stance. Marriskcal did not think she would receive an answer from her any time soon, for she doubted it would be a decision lightly taken. If the other allowed the matter to fall wayside over the next several days, the blonde would not bring it up again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]She allowed the silence to extend, giving her friend time to mull over her words before she continued to speak. “I will be more than happy to accompany you if I manage to obtain downtime,” Marriskcal said, a pleased smile in place. She made a note in her mind to create an encrypted HoloNet contact address so that Kirie was able to contact her ahead of time. If not, perhaps she could contact the gaggle of researchers stationed there and see if they could include Kirie in whatever it was they were doing[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]? She had no idea of the procedure involved, but surely they would welcome a fellow academician?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]But that was a thought better left for later.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Marriskcal reached out and took the saber gently from the brunette once again. “I admit that I do not know much about a Bondar Saber other than what you have already told me. Can its blade cut through durasteel and other similarly dense materials[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]?” Now that she was within sight of its rightful owner, the Ren allowed her curiousity to reign. Marriskcal studied the tarnished bronze edges and worn leather wrap that covered the hilt with interest. Lighter than most customary lightsaber hilts, it was clear that the blade was an antique. Perhaps it was something that was passed down through Kirie’s lineage?

Though she was aware that they were both in view of a number of curious eyes, the Praetorian removed her own lightsaber and placed it before Kirie. Her own blade was crafted with a brilliant blue kyber crystal, given to her as a present by Master Kyrel. But as the crystal was attuned to its previous owner, it only accepted her influence reluctantly and would undoubtedly continue to challenge her until she ‘bleed’ it. And as strange as it was, despite her position as one of Sieger Ren’s chosen, Marriskcal’s own presence in the Force flowed closer to light.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Her faint dilemma over her discordant crystal was swiftly forgotten when the archeologist placed a pendant on the palm of her hand. Was this…? As soon as she felt the gentle swell of Kirie’s aura, the crystal began to glow. She had never heard of any minerals that could detect the presence of the Force before. “What kind of crystal is this? It must be rare since I have not seen anything like it before.” With a blithe grin in place, Marriskcal leaned forward, a hand stretched towards the delicate pendant as she focused on her presence. [/SIZE]

 

[Kirie]

Marr was a very different beast to Kirie, that much was obvious. She, like many others, saw the virtue in being able to defend yourself, and defend others through acts of violence. Kirie understood that, and she didn’t judge the girl for it. Force knows that she had even begun leaning to that belief not so long ago. But deep down Kirie was uncomfortable with any act of violence, no matter the justification. It made her sick to the stomach. In response to Marr’s quite reasonable arguments, Kirie offered only a brief response.

‘It’s just not who I am.’

Thankfully the conversation moved on to Kirie’s lightsaber, one of a pair of truly unique trinkets she always carried with her. She’d grown fond of the saber, though she very rarely had an excuse to actually ignite it.

‘It is called a Bondar Saber, and it is quite an antique, several hundred years old at least. Ancient Jedi orders used them for training. The blade cannot cut through steel or rock, nor can it really harm a person. Instead, it delivers a painful shock to those that touch it.’

Marr slid her own saber across the table, and Kirie examined it without reaching out. It was like comparing apples and oranges. Kirie’s saber was a relic, an anecdotal artefact with a cool feature. Marr’s on the other hand, it was sleek, modern, a tool designed to strip the life from others. She shuddered slightly, remembering who Marr was, what she represented. Hiding her discomfort she handed the saber back to Marr.

As Kirie pulled out the Tartarine pendant, attention turned away from the sabers.

Even as her palm tilted to let the pendant fall into Marr's waiting hand, the crystal flickered and brightened, responding to Marr's powerful Force presence. In moments, the table was bathed in a cool blue glow. The crystal, which had come to her from an unknown benefactor more than a year ago, was incredibly sensitive to manipulations of the Force. It wouldn’t respond to a simple presence, but any action to harness or use the Force would cause the crystal to glow. At least, that was what a Centaren Jedi Master had told her when she’d brought the crystal in for examination.

She dropped the pendant into Marr’s palm, where the glow was bright enough that you could just barely see the structures of the girl’s hand. It was obvious that not only was Marr very strong in the Force, but wielding her power came as second nature. Kirie could not see any sign that the effort of making the crystal glow troubled the girl at all. A pang of envy hit her, but she hurriedly pushed it aside.

‘This, is called a Tartarine Crystal. It is incredibly rare. From my fairly limited research I believe there are maybe half a dozen left in the whole Galaxy. It is a priceless treasure. More importantly, it has the unique ability to sense manipulations in the Force.’

Without the weight of the pendant around her neck, she felt a little naked, but she tried her best to ignore the sensation whilst she let Marr examine the crystal.

[member="Marriskcal Lati"]​

 

[Marriskcal Lati]

Praetorian Initiate
Equipment | Black Robes, Code Cylinder, Lightsaber (blue)
Location | Mess Deck of FIV Kali, Hyperspace
Allies | RA-7 Protocol Droid (black & silver)
Friendly | [member="Kirie Ito"]

[SIZE=11pt]It took a fair amount of effort for the blonde to conceal her aversion of the word ‘Jedi’. And while Marriskcal managed to avert letting her loathing from affecting her mien, there was a moment of sudden stillness to her form where her eyes took on a sharp-eyed look of a predator. To her, Jedi was the very embodiment of chaos. Even while their Order preached words of peace and equilibrium, their hands were often the ones that destroyed worlds and threatened livelihoods in their Crusades. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Hypocrisy, thy name is Jedi. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]When her companion elucidated her on its properties, Marriskcal turned her thoughts away from those heretics and watched the movements of her hands even while she followed the words that the droid uttered. While the blonde admitted to herself that she was ignorant to a great many things, she could not quite fathom why would such a weapon be crafted, even if it was a relic made by the Jedi of old. Would a training lightsaber affixed with the appropriate limiters not be more efficient[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]? Then again, what little data they had managed to preserve and unearth after the Great Collapse painted a different era back then.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]But in the depth of her mind, the young woman thought that it matched the worldview she held of Kirie Ito. If only everyone else was as devoted as she was to the ideals of pacifism... there would be less suffering in galaxy. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]The tips of her fingers brushed over the verdigris of its bronzium hilt for one final time before Marriskcal placed the timeworn saber close to where her own lightsaber rested.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]As the crystal fell onto her palm, its glacier hue glowed all the more brightly, enveloping the two beings and machine in its luminous light. While she had expected the glow, the Praetorian did not anticipate the intensity of its illumination. With a chagrined scrunch of her nose at her own lack of prudence, Marriskcal modulated the flow of the Force, until only a soft glow remained. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] “It is beautiful. And it is a priceless treasure indeed. I have never heard of a crystal that is able to sense when the Force is being manipulated before today.” A thought came to mind, “Hmmm, I wonder… Though it is able to sense when someone is influencing the Force, would it be able to sense when they are suppressing it[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]?” Focusing on her core, Marriskcal slowly drew in her aura, her presence slowly becoming smaller and smaller until only a void was left.[/SIZE]