Being Taken a-back

[Dancer]

Mystique's ACT I; Finding Freedom scene 4

Chroma Zed. If there was anywhere safe for a girl trying to find herself it was here. The world was small, the crime was low, and the people generally minded their own business. The only problem for Mystique was the prices--for a girl of her small income it was a challenge to make ends meet. She was grateful that she was just passing through.

What was she here for? Freedom. Yes, that was it, freedom. Recently she had been liberated from the slavery of the Hutts, now she was trying to find out what that meant. [member="Scarlet Ghost"] had helped her find out somewhat what that meant, now she was trying to figure out the rest for herself--one bit at a time.

She was alone now, trying to--trying to--trying to get accustomed to the idea of making her own decisions. Yes, that was it. Her own choices, she could do that. For her life, that was easier said than done. And shopping--well shopping seemed to be the best way for her to learn how to do it.

She meekly walked out of the clothing shop. Her shimersilk cream top bouncing slightly with each step. Despite her attempts to find something that would help to conceal her generous figure, this had nearly the opposite affect. However, compared to her "uniform"--this was quite modest. Her black leggings hugged her body and every curve as she crossed the street. Her crimson locks were brushed to the side perfectly, for a change she was lipstick free.

Her cyan eyes spotted what looked like a boutique dedicated to flowers. Flowers were nice. She liked them. With a slight smile she began to make her way there. Perhaps this freedom thing could be easier than she thought.

[member="Matreya"]
[member="Gren Reaper"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"]

Gren reviewed the message from a Hutt as he entered the atmosphere of Chroma Zed. A slave who had been freed recently was located here. Hutts being Hutts wanted it back. Ren personally hated working for them slugs. But money was money, so he took whatever job he received. Putting the message away and laying his datapad in a compartment, he soon landed in a nearby spaceport.

Chroma Zed was unlike anything he'd seen before. Mostly, the people. Worm-like things filled most of the areas. Ren didn't like the worm people anymore than he did the Hutts. It appeared he'd have to put up with them for now though. Ren walked slowly analyzing the area getting even more disgusted with each step he took.

After leaving his YTA-2150, Ren remembered what he was looking for. A female in her twenties with red hair. Weight and height is average. It didn't seem like it'd be hard. Not many people have red hair, so she should be easy to spot, was a thought. Many buildings could be seen in the distance. They were good places to view the ground from above. So he jumped on one prepared to find the lady.

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Matreya strolled about the locales, hands in his pockets. His gaze did not touch anyone person in general, nor did he seek into. He was here as a way to find something to do in his downtime. Rarely did he find such time, as it tended to be full of missions, and the recent upbringing of Merr-Sonn. Though he was not on the job, did not mean he was any less warry. As Kensûrai of the Jensaarai-Ka, even if they weren't located in this universe, he was always prepared for the worst; against his right hip hung his quiver stocked with the assortment of arrows usually found on his person, and against the opposite dangled his folded compact bow.

Both would never be found save when he drew them, as they were covered by White Current invisibility.

Passing near a flower shop, he paused his walk, then entered after a quick shrug. A lifetime ago, in a universe similar in many ways to this one, he had been married. The woman had taught him much about enjoying the little things in life. One such feature taught to him was the enjoying of flowery scents.

The smell of cinnamon buns was another. But that didn't need to be delved into.

Stopping before a lavish bouquet that would likely cost dozens of credits, he leaned forward. With the stem of a large red rose between his pointer and middle finger, he pulled gently at the bud until it neared his nose. Inhaling slowly was the best way to take in the true scent, so he did just that.

Letting a small smile touch the corners of his lips, he pulled back as he lowered his hand. It smelled wonderful. Turning to speak to a worker, he paused. There before him, was his wife! (DUNDUNDUN!!!)

Though he knew it couldn't be her, the fiery red hair, and beautiful face were on and the same. It would seem she somehow had a doppelganger in this universe.

Instantly spreading the influence of the White Current from just his hips to cover his whole body, he decided to wait and watch.

(How's that for a plot twist lmao.)
[member="Gren Reaper"] @Mystique

 

[Dancer]

OOC:

Spoiler

Indeed. Mind. Blown.

The cuvasious entertainer held a pair of purple colored lillies in her hand, enjoying the vibrant colors and sweet aroma. Her pink lips curled up in a delicate smile, eyes closed. One of these would look beautiful in her hair, she decided. As she turned to pay for one of the flowers she thought, for a moment that she saw a man. Her brows furrowed as she pursed her lips. He was right there--a moment ago, she was sure of it. She stared long and hard at where he had been, those crystal-like blue eyes studying it intently. She shook her head, her curled locks bobbed with it as she dismissed the idea. It must have been a passing pedestrian or something.

Her heels clacked on the floor as she made her way to the counter and paid for her flower. She couldnt help it that the only pair of shoes she owned were stillettos. She hadn't been free that long, and shoes were on her list, of course. She had heard they were the epitome of a woman's freedom of choice. Well, she had to get her freedom soon, didn't she?

With a gracious smile and nod, she thanked the cashier and tucked the new flower in her ear. Yes, she decided glancing at her reflection. It did look good.

Out the door she went, crossing the street for the shoes. Indeed, freedom. She could get used to this.

[member="Matreya"]
[member="Gren Reaper"]
[member="Orphen"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

As she turned, it would seem she saw him for the barest of seconds. Initially she stared where he was, but then it seemed she shrugged it off. Little could she know, she stared directly in his eyes, and that it filled him with hope, anguish, and sorrow. How could he live knowing a woman so like his wife was in this Universe? Should he make a move? Maybe attempt a date?

Be friends?

To many questions bombarded his mind, so instead he settled on following her. While the average person could stalk an unwary person, even if she had beliebed she was being followed, Valashu could do so; it was his skill set. Combining telekinetics, White Current, and Bent Light techniques was the way of the Jensaarai-Ka. Bearing the title of leader, though not the most powerful, showed his skills were unparalleled. While others relied on Force powers to stalk, or non Force related abilities, he combined them both so perfectly, he may very well be a ghost. Which is what his codename meant in the language of the Jensaarai-Ka; its literal translation being, "Unseen Death".

With so little sound that tracking equipment would pick up nothing, he walked closer to her, simply wishing to be near...

(Well, I wanted Valashu to have mirror allies that he had in his universe, and figured a wife would be cool. This seemed the perfect opportunity. If you want me to dial it back, I can. Just letting it go organically at this point, as the cat is already out of the bag.)
[member="Mystique "][member="Gren Reaper"] [member="Orphen"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"] [member="Orphen"] (Are you sure you only had one wife in your past life )

The population and mood on this world was not to his liking. It resembled Coruscant in population, but had its own mood. Then again, many planets were unique in mood. Since his departure from Coruscant, he had been lacking jobs. Luckily, his focus was to get away from the family agency. Jobs were needed still. This would be a lucky day if he got his target.

Crouched on the edge of the building, Ren scanned the area below. Many shops could be seen, some expensive and some more for the less fortunate of people. Since he left wealth to escape his family's agency, he'd become quite low on money. When he saw the shops for poorer people, he laughed at himself. What a pathetic man I am...

After a few minutes of searching the area from above on the building, he had no luck. Bad angle? he thought to himself. With that thought, he leapt over to the roof of another building. He crouched down once again and searched the area. His eyes began moving across the whole area until something caught his eye. And... bingo!

The target had been found. But something bothered him. The presence of something, something that appeared to be near his target. He cloaked his force presence and placed his saber under his robes/armor. The tip of the bottom could be seen dangling however from beneath the robes. After doing that, he jumped down and walked towards the target.

After getting quite close, he noticed she was looking at plants. Flowers, specifically. It wasn't odd for girls to enjoy them but slaves? He guessed she wasn't treated badly enough to not like them. He was a little worried about the eerie presence. Unfortunately, the individual seemed talented in concealment so he couldn't sense them and confirm they were there. It was just a feeling that there was a something close though.

Ren walked slowlyto make sure he wasn't jumped. That'd be mission over, especially in a public place. He walked up by the lady and began looking at the roses. A dark red one grabbed his attention so he picked it up. Holding it at waist level focusing his crimson eyes on it, he smiled. Its color, smell, and appearance were all perfect. However, he thought only a fool would care for such lowly items. Ren squeezed his hand making the stem loose its posture, as he slowly went back to a serious face.

"Red is such a wonderful color... wouldn't you agree?" he said directing his question at the lady to his side, still squeezing on the stem.

 

[Dancer]

The lady known as Mystique got sidetracked on her way to shoes by--another flowershop. She had no idea why but the beauty of these frail plants spoke to her, especially the lillies. Perhaps it was one frail soul knowing a kindred spirit, she thought as she allowed herself to look at more of the exotic flowers. She saw a white one with long black pistols and blood-red streaks. It reminded her of Scarlet. Her Scarlet, her sweet sweet Scarlet. She closed her eyes and smiled softly.

That was when she heard the voice. A man's voice. Red is such a wonderful color... wouldn't you agree?

It made her jump out of her skin. She whirled on her stiletto heel and faced the man. The tremor of fear up her spine was clear in her blue eyes. She blinked twice and swallowed, her big eyelashes batting over her cyan eyes. Her solitary peace and sanctuary had been shattered by the stranger. It was always shattered by strangers, she was a terrified little flower.

A thousand unspeakable things had increased the animal fear in her. She had seen friends die horribly before her by strangers--and worse had been done to her. All the while, as a slave to the Hutts she could do nothing. Nothing. Nothing except close her eyes and pray it would end quickly.

But she wasn't there anymore. She was free--at least in name. Mystique stilled her breathing and nodded tentatively.

"Y-y-y--yes," she managed to say, her throat locking up and her speech impediment catching her off guard.

[member="Gren Reaper"]
[member="Matreya"]

OOC:

Spoiler

Its cool man, no worries. All in the name of a good story

 

[Zaiden Dean]

Valashu had followed close to the woman, until just as the Force warned another of his presence, he was to warned of the other. Pausing his walk just in time, he was able to barely miss being in the way of a man that came forth to speak to his wife - no, she is not the same! Valashu said to himself. It was instantaneous, the difference being noticed in her. She was afraid.

Unsure how to respond, he continued to hide, but slowly dropped his hand to the compound bow at his hip. It could be snapped to the correct placement, strung, with an arrow notched all in under a full second. Hence, if he needed to defend this woman, he could, but did not need to be filled with haste.

[member="Mystique "][member="Gren Reaper"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"]

The lady stuttered with her reply. He was curious if she was nervous, or if it was just since she was a former slave. As Ren analyzed her, he noticed she didn't look like a slave. Maybe she bought clothes. he thought turning back to the rose, still squeezing it.

A thorn of the rose broke off as he squeezed it. He shook his head at how easy to crush it was. It was just a flower though, why was he judging it so much?

Ren frowned at the bud as it was severed from the stem. "It looks like I have broke it." Turning to his head slightly to the left to see the girl's face, he began to ask a question. "What might your name be?"

 

[Dancer]

Those eyes, they were scary. She could tell. They were not the eyes of a good man. He was one of them--one of the monsters. One of the men she had nightmares about at night that had done horrific things to her. She took a faltering step back, her body was wracked with fear. She swallowed several times, trying to lower her fear, all to no avail. Where was the Masked man when she needed him? Or her beloved Scarlet?

"I--I--I--I," she stammered, as she took a second step back, bumping into a table of flowers. A potted set of flowers fell off the back and shattered on the cobblestone.

That was it. She leaped out of her skin and began scampering away as fast as her legs could carry her. Her heels clacked loudly as she ran for dear life. She was not a sprinter, she was not a distance runner, she was a dancer. Unfortunately she didn't cover much ground very fast. She shot a look back, why did the monsters always have to follow her--even here, even on a world meant to help a person enjoy life.

At last, out of breath she ducked into a clothing store and scurried to the back where the fitting rooms where. She locked herself into one and collapsed panting. Tears trailed down her face as she broke down into quiet sobs.

[member="Gren Reaper"]
[member="Matreya"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

It began.

When the woman who looked like his long lost lover scampered off, he followed suit at an easy pace. Unlike the girl who was not a runner, he frequently had to chase down his targets. When she ducked into the store, figuring the man would follow, Valashu conjured an illusion of the woman that continued straight ahead - some that were versed in illusions, or were stronger than he, could see through such, but it would take skill, as this was a specialty: White Current illusions.

Ducking inside, he dropped the invisibility over himself, so he could focus on making the phantom continue forward, nervously glance both ways, then hurry down an alley. After about a dozen yards, the phantom would vanish.

Stepping further into the store, Valashu detached his bow from his belt. Then with a single motion involving both hands, a forward snap of the arm, with a swing upward in the other, he had his bow strung and ready. A thought sent to the mechanism inside his quiver, made it snatch up an arrow and shoot straight upward into the air. Reaching an arm out, as he spun, he caught it then notched it against the wire of his compound bow.

He waited for the other man.

[member="Mystique "][member="Gren Reaper"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"] (Sorry for short post)

Ren exhaled disappointed that she caused such a scene. "She had to run..." Turning to the direction she ran, he got into running position. As his ready, he began this game of cat and mouse. I feel another player in this game, a tiger He caught up to her location and stood outside the building.

 

[Dancer]

The mosters, she seemed to be a magnet to them. It was like it was her purpose in life to be crushed by them. These thoughts floated through her head as Mystique wept with all her might. She wanted this to be over. She would give anything to be strong. To be like her Scarlet or the Masked Man. She wanted nothing more than to be safe, to be in either of their arms--her lovers or the Masked Man's.

There was a knock at the door and one of the employees cautiously opened the door, peering in, "Excuse me, miss, are you--"

Her cyan colored eyes squeezed shut as she screamed out at the top of her lungs, "Leave me alone, monsters, leave me alone!"

Her terror took over again, and she was running. Her frail body almost ran the employee over. She was small, but she was strong from her ages of rigorous dancing exercises. She stopped in the hall. Her eyes caught the man standing in the door. Was he one of the monsters too? She didn't know. What she did know was he had a weapon. And she was scared of weapons. To that end she fled the other way. Knocking aside another employee and a stack of boxes she hurried into the back room. Another exit, she had to find one. Her eyes locked on the back door. She flung her body at it, to no avail. She tired again, but it refused to budge. The crimson dancer looked around, terrified. Like a caged animal.

[member="Gren Reaper"]
[member="Matreya"]

 

[Zaiden Dean]

How the man had managed to see past his illusion was up in the air, but there was always a chance it was luck. But Matreya kept the arrow at the ready. When his enemy came through the door, he would find a flying shaft aimed for his clavicle. Until then, Matreya was content to wait.

Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the woman he was protecting charging for the door, then spinning to attempt to escape through the back. Reaching out, he attempted to soothe her emotions, to make her calm from the inside out. It was a technique that the Jensaarai-Ka had in their arsenal as a means to execute men when in public places, as one could walk up to them, stab a person in the back, then make it so they remained calm through the process.

Turning his eyes back to the front, he drew slightly on the bowstring..

[member="Mystique "][member="Gren Reaper"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"]

The force hadn't alarmed him of any danger, yet. But Ren knew there was something there. Though the exact location was unknown. Was he to the left or the right, or maybe behind? Ren didn't know but was about to find out. He stepped slowly into the entrance focusing and drawing on the force. As an agent, he's used to projectiles. All kinds. However, an arrow was one he hasn't had a chance to face. Maybe it showed how honorable his opponent was. Either way, his honor would be stripped one day, even if not by him.

 

[Zaiden Dean]

The moment the man was through the door, the arrow was loose. In the time it took to leave the bow, another arrow shot free of the quiver, was caught then notched and held at the ready. While many were credited with knowing projectiles, few were controllable like the arrow. When it missed, if ever it did, it would take little effort for Val to realign it towards the mans back.

"Why are you coming for this woman?" Valashu called out, "If you persist, you will find me a very stubborn opponent!"

[member="Gren Reaper"] @Mystique

 

[Dancer]

A soft wave of calm washed over the dancer as she cried against the door. It washed away some of her tears, and made her a little less scared. She was still terrified, but this time, but now, not petrified. She was brave enough to creep towards the door.

Her heart pounded in Mystique's chest, her body quaked and a cold sweat began to break out over her skin. She wanted to run, she wanted to find a world where the mosters would stop chasing. Was it too much to ask for? Maybe this was her lot in life--to have the monsters always find her. Always chase her. Always. Always running. Always terrified. It was the only life she had known as a slave, the life before she was captured was a dim memory of a very very short childhood. Too short. For the dozenth time already she longed for her Scarlet and the Man in the Mask.

Her cyan eyes gazed around. She could see the man with the bow shoot at the man with the bad eyes in the doorway. She blinked. Did she know the armed man? She thought--she shook her head, her crimson curls falling around her face. That was impossible. That was when he spoke.

She gasped and took a half step back and fell back over a box. That was unmistakable. A thousand memories whirrled around her head as she looked at him, pointing. It was him. But he died. he had died so long ago she had watched it happen. How--?

"V-v-v-v--v-vvvvaaaaaa," she stammered before her throat seized up completely and she couldn't say a word.

[member="Matreya"]
[member="Gren Reaper"]

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"]

As Ren focused in the force and stepped forward, he caught a glance of the projectile. An arrow? It made him laugh as he shot that glance. Smiling, Ren brought up his arm using his wrist piece block the arrow. The arrow ricocheted behind him but did seem to stop. He sent back a reply. "How medieval." he mumbled.

"That's not of your concern." He ran his eyes across the area. People didn't seem to notice the arrow. It was a swift and silent projectile. Could that be why he used such a primitive weapon? Ren couldn't draw his weapon or the planetary forces would most likely find their location and he'd be seized.

Ren exhaled disappointed of how this was turning out. "I'm not here to battle, I ask that you to step aside."

 

[Zaiden Dean]

With an arrow still notched and ready to fire, Val gave no sign that he reached out to the arrow and caught it before it hit the ground. Bringing it a slight distance out into the road, he faced the head towards his opponent. Using ballistakinesis, he could make the arrow match the speed of the one next fired, more so if he concentrated enough.

"If you think my arrows are so easily dodged, look behind you." He called again, then noticed the woman he protected screamed - what could be the beginning of his name to boot! Did he too have a doppelganger here? Why had they never met yet? This was an oddity!

[member="Gren Reaper"] @Mystique

 

[Gren Reaper]

[member="Mystique "][member="Matreya"]

The arrow appeared to be persistent on hitting him. This time though, the arrow wasn't as accurate as before. Still, aught off guard, Ren couldn't dodge it completely this time. The arrow managed to graze the left side of his torso. This made him angry but he calmed down enough to keep his weapon away. "I'll ask you one more time to step aside. Or others will be involved unfortunately." It wasn't a lie, either planetary forces would find them or people around them could get hurt. Ren didn't wish for any unnecessary work, just to complete his job.

It wasn't exhaustion causing Ren to do what he was about to do, but frustration. "There's a chance that young lady will get injured or even killed in our little game. So I propose a trade. I will stop my hunt in exchange for credits." he grinned.