In Our Destructive Absence

[Seras Rose]

Ankhypt, the last time Seras Rose had stepped foot here it was when Mythos had been resurrected after the Battle of Altizia. She mused over that fact as she brought in the Crescent Eye into the planets system and dropped out of Hyperspace, the young woman's grey eye gazing out in contemplation at the planet. There had been many factors in the fall of the Ancient Eye during her absence, one of which was arguably her not being there. Rebellion, betrayals, other forms of conspiracy and other such clandestine operations. Right now, her task was finding out the truth behind a few rumors she heard. Rumors that part of this had been due to events on Ankhypt that were related to her absence. It was understandable, but not something she had the ability to prevent. So she did not waste her time with feelings of regret, but instead chose to strike out and determine the truth, now that Seras had returned.

'What shall be revealed i wonder.' She thought as she skillfully flew her ship into Ankhypts atmosphere. She had identification that had allowed her access to, just about anywhere she needed to go. Though some places were still off limits, certain religions sites and the like but for the most part it would allow her to roam the planet with relative freedom. Luckily for her, it seemed to still be valid as she transmitted it to the surface, the response giving her the all clear to land. Though her arrival might very well send ripples that she did not particularly want to deal with, Seras couldn't very well keep that from happening. 'If there was anyone who was opposed to us here, they will certainly know i am here now.' It would only help with her task here if they did decide to do something about her arrival. Landing on the surface, The Crescent Eye would dock in a port on a fairly well populated city. Touching down and paying any applicable fines, she would set out into the city. For now, she simply walked through various market districts, getting a feel for the place and scoping it out, as well as seeing if her arrival had caught anyone's attention. Both her ship and the identification used were unique so it was possible for anyone with the right connections to hear about her arrival, though if they would care was another matter entirely.

The area around her was a lively market, even during the exceptional heat and intense rays of light from the sun that loomed down from overhead. The center of the market had a large, canopied area with the stalls being made out of a mixture of wooden and metal materials, fairly rustic and old styled in appearance which contrasted with higher tech, neon and holographic signs. Smells from a range of incenses, food and drink filled the air along with various high to medium quality goods being on display. Business deals large and small were being made in the area, business seeming to be thriving quite well as far as they eye could see. Seras's single grey eye took in the sight, not to surprised that it was so busy but she was a bit surprised by the offworlders present. She knew from her time before what the planet mostly imported and exported, but this was her first time seeing just how much in person and not just as rough figures on a spread sheet. After exhanging some money for the local currency, she would pick up a local drink and continue to wander around the busy market, not trying to blend in or the like, simply wandering.

[member='Rowin Taff'] [member='Salij-Nekt']

 

[Salij-Nekt]

Salij-Nekt raised his head to the wind. Standing out the front of the city's palace, he spotted a small dot on the horizon. Descending from the sky, he knew what it was. A ship had come, a visitor. The Anubian growled under his breath, what visitor would wish to come here? Did they wish ill upon them? Did they wish to bring with them a plague of corruption and death? The Anubian shook his head, [member="Rowin Taff"]'s words were getting to him. Words of corruption, of enemies everywhere. Still, it caused Salij to be curious. So throwing a cloak over his back, he descended the steps.

Salij reached out, as if putting feelers using his scent for off-worlders and the force for anything that put something strange, off putting. Out of place. That was what Salij searched for as he headed for the landing area and asked around. Directions were pointed, most toward the market. The Anubian followed the trail, hoping to find this visitor.

[member="Seras Rose"]

 

[Seras Rose]

The young woman would be fairly easy to spot, both by smell and sight. While robes were not uncommon, hers were not in a style from the desert planet, more Atrisian in style. Her scent was also slightly off compared to the rest of the populace, Seras made sure to keep herself cleaned and groomed. What was most distinctive was a black eye patch over her left eye, with a closed golden eye carved into its surface. It was not hard to guess what had happened to that eye. Resting across her back on her belt was a long hilted, double bladed lightsaber. Though it was not a weapon she had made herself, but one she had claimed in the Siege of Nibelungen. A trophy of sorts, but also a greatly valued weapon to the young woman.

When Salij-Nekt entered the Marketplace, she would be spotted sampling a local beer, seeming to enjoy it as she ordered a tankard and began to drink, before moving on wards with her day. She didnt feel anything off, not yet at least, but she knew quite well how things could go from silent and calm to other extremes without warning, so she kept her guard up, her single eye scouring the crowd. 'Mmm... Should no one appear, where would i investigate next. I may be able to find something out if i go to the right merchants, they will not be open to an off-worlder however. Hmmm.' Thoughts like that went through her head as she approached a set of benches that were under a canopy of shade, aiming to take a seat and observe the area if she was not halted before then.

[member="Salij-Nekt"]

 

[Salij-Nekt]

The Anubian managed to see one that stood out. Drinking, and then they were moving again. Salij moved, seeking to simply observe for now as they moved. Something seemed...familiar. But the Anubian could not settle on it. They were moving to some benches, and the Anubian moved through the crowd, shrouded by the cloak. Till he was close enough to speak. "You...off-worlder" he spoke, his voice deep and with a slight growl to it. He stood tall, his face just showing with his pale fur.

"What are you here for?" he asked, looking them over. Robes, not of this planet. An eye-patch. Salij sensed a familiar touch in the air near them, he was certain. He had felt them near before. "Who...are you?"

[member="Seras Rose"]

 

[Seras Rose]

Seras had just taken a seat when the Anubian spoke, the robed woman turning to look up at him. She couldn't say he looked familiar, not to the Anubian's she remembered at least. Though really, it didn't matter if she remembered him. If he remembered her for something, good or bad, that was all that mattered. "I am Seras Rose." She said, leaving her drink where it was as she stood back up. He was taller, by far, compared to her. Seras was even tall for a human, standing at nearly a full two meters in height. But he was, as most Anubians tended to be, quite a few heads taller than her. That didn't change her cool, collected tone or her silent, calculating gaze that was sizing him back up in return how ever.

"As for what i am doing here, my business is finding out the truth of certain matters. What exactly is something i would prefer to keep to myself." She responded, calmly taking a nice long drink from her tankard while keeping her eye solidly fixed on him.

[member="Salij-Nekt"]

 

[Salij-Nekt]

Salij-Nekt saw them take a seat as he spoke to them, and then they turned to them. She stood back up after introducing herself, glaring down at her. He let out a low growl, Salij was one quick to aggression and when one kept something from him that perhaps involved the planet he served, he did not take to it kindly. His quick to aggressive nature got him into many unsavory situations. "I am Salij-Nekt of the royal guard. Once Executioner to the Ancient Eye" He snarled at the use of the name as if it left a bitter taste.

"I must tell you that if there is a matter of yours you wish to discuss, then perhaps you would be wise to allow me to help." Things had been happening. Those bandits from a time ago using off world weapons, the lack of leadership quality in the city. It had Salij on constant watch, always on the lookout for those responsible. Every off worlder was suspect in his gaze.

[member="Seras Rose"]

 

[Seras Rose]

The growl justified the bad feeling Seras had about this situation, but who he claimed to be made her even more concerned. Seras had heard of the Executioner of the Ancient Eye, even if she had never met him face to face. He held a high position then and as one of the Royal Guard, doubtlessly still did. In the first place, Anubians were prideful beings. Even more so when they held power, whether it be political or personal power. It seemed he had both.

Perhaps, if he had not shown distaste for the name of the Ancient Eye, Seras might have shared at least part of her purpose here. But his attitude only made her more sure of her reason for coming here. "My purpose is not so great as to require the digression and time of one with duties such as yours." That was not going to be enough though. He was going to want some form of 'why'. "I am simply here to find out the truth behind lies i was told about certain Anubian figures. History and the like of course." Physically, she had lied well. Her eyes kept calm and her body language would not give away the deception. But in the force, that was not somewhere a place she had mastered deception at. If he was capable of feeling such things through the force, Salij-Nekt would most certainly be able to pick up on it.

[member="Salij-Nekt"]

 

[Salij-Nekt]

Salij-Nekt observed them closely, regarding them silently as they spoke their response. Then he sneered down at her, his duties were to protect and serve. As well as new, more so hidden duties of guiding those that led. Guiding them to a more rightful rule. And this seemed to have his attention. Lies, of Anubian figures? That only begged for more questions. Who were these figures? What lies were told of them? Salij's sneer never left. "This sounds more like a need for my duties then before. Lies spoken of our history, I protect our history. Our legends, our leaders of the past."

Salij puffed out a breath, trying to figure them out still. "You must know, us Anubian hold our history highly. Our tombs, our temples." Salij was not letting this go easily.

[member="Seras Rose"]

 

[Seras Rose]

She noticed that sneer, but what really caught her by surprise was his response. He wanted... To help. Or, something like that. Seras was not sure she could call it 'helping' in this situation but, well, maybe it could be of use. Pausing a moment, she shifted mental gears and relaxed. Take it as a potential opportunity, keep your guard up and move forward. Seemed to be all she could do as he seemed bound and determined, might as well just roll with it for now. "I do indeed know. I know that very well." She said, Seras suppressing an exasperated sigh. 'Lets call it a victory.' She thought to herself before nodding.

"Well. It has to do with certain pirate activities in the area and them being left alone and allowed to act as a sort of.. Natural deterrent against outsiders." This was a 'slanted' version of the information she really wanted to know, but might as well give it a shot. Seras was nothing if not brave. "This idea has been a vague idea floating around nearby planets but has come up a bit more in recent 'conversation' as it were after the fall of The Ancient Eye." Seras said, finishing her opening words and waiting to see his reaction.

[member="Salij-Nekt"]

 

[Salij-Nekt]

Salij-Nekt narrowed his eyes on her as she explained the situation. The pirate activities he knew of, and were plentiful. And an annoyance he himself was investigating. Or rather, hunting. Killing them wherever they hid, wherever he found them with followers behind. Cutting them down to size, so to say. Literally and figuratively. "These pirates, I know of...but if you believe them to be planned from my people, you are very wrong there, outsider." Salij was not exactly sure this was what they meant, but he wanted to be sure. To be very sure, that it wasn't what they meant.

"The fall of the Ancient Eye, those...those cowards" his voice seething with rage. They had left him behind. He would have died a warrior's death. Should have died a warrior's death. But was left behind, left alive. "They abandoned me. And now, I reside here...you are not of them, are you?" he asked, seemingly looming over.

[member="Seras Rose"]

 

[Seras Rose]

"It isn't about what i believe, but what others believe. I personally do not think they are being enabled by your people, but it is also true that they do have a fairly serious presence. So i come to find out the truth, regardless of what the truth is, or whose toes it steps on." Personally, she figured that the Pride the Anubians had would not allow them to stoop to such levels, but Seras had been proven wrong in more surprising ways before in her life.

Seras was surprised by his extreme hatred that flared up from her mentioning the Ancient Eye and even more confused when he mentioned that they had abandonded him. As far as she knew though, they were gone. Fallen and broken apart. "One would find it hard to be a part of a fallen group of people. I was with them for a time if that is what you mean, yes. Mythos himself asked me to join them. Then other things pulled my time and attention away from both the Ancient Eye and the galaxy at large." Seras was not one to outright lie. Bend the truth yes, but rarely outright lie, even in the face of one who was as angry and looming as him.

[member="Salij-Nekt"]

 

[Salij-Nekt]

He snarled, so that was why they were familiar. Yes, he had seen them once. Nibulengen, was it? Perhaps it had been on that system, or another. "They may have fallen...but they ran. They did not stand to save those left behind..." he began, growling lowly. Left behind. And the Anubian took that hard. Felt betrayed, saw the Ancient Eye, or whatever remained of them as deceitful. Liars, cowards. "They did not stay to keep this planet in check, and I will take up the role to keep it in line" his voice was kept level now. They were not apart of the Ancient Eye any longer it seemed, so he had no reason to hold a grudge.

Salij gave a dismissive snort through his flaring nostrils. "These others, I doubt they sent you...you come to prove them wrong then, yes?" Perhaps he could indeed use help in this matter. Hunting down these pirates and conspirators. "They have been of great annoyance. Some time ago, I slaughtered a camp of them." That he said with a cruel pride.

[member="Seras Rose"]