It will be your compass...

[Darth Timoris]

Location: Jedi Academy, Ossus
Allies: As if!
Enemies: Depends on your definition of course but maybe Drapeam Nyx
Theme: I enjoy stealing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwjiO1MCVs

‘I walk right through the door
Walk right through the door
Hey all right! If I get by, it’s mine
Mine all mine!’

The voices faded and Melori decided she was OK to move on. Of course she was careful; she waited that extra two minutes to be on the safe-side. And despite her new outlook on life, a part of her was taken back to her days on Corellia, sneaking around the Academy there. Either breaking curfew or borrowing stuff.

Borrowing was the correct term in her mind. She never stole as she never kept anything. Except food, that wasn’t exactly in a position to end up back where it came from – but eating was different right? And ryshcate was adorable!

So she’d collected a whole plethora of goodies in her time. Hidden under a loose floorboard here or behind a bedside cabinet there. Nothing particularly valuable – that was never the point. It was simply a collection of things that she wanted and had to have – and the more unattainable, the more she tended to want.

So she was taken by surprise when she rounded a corner and found someone that was even quieter and therefore sneakier than her. Her first instinct was to ask how she did it – but she suppressed that thought for now. On the plus side, she’d been caught red-handed too many times to be flustered – and that was a good thing. Fluster equals guilt in most people’s eyes.

So she smiled her widest smile, hands firmly in pockets and she simply said, “Hi, I’m Melori. Who are you?”

[member="Drapeam Nyx"]

 

[Artemis Vahl'Nyx]

LOCATION: Ossus; Wandering Halls
OBJECTIVE: Play It Cool- Super Cool
MUSIC: All These Things I've Done by The Killers
---------------------------------------
"Hi, I'm Melori. Who are you?" It was safe to say that the voice was moderately unexpected... Okay, so it was very unexpected, but did you really think that Nyx of all people would admit it? Nah, that wouldn't line up with her pride, which happens to be another thing she often denies. Though perhaps the most important of her less... positive traits is, at least at the moment, her knack for letting her thoughts get the best of her. That wasn't always so, but after living in a non-literal hell for a few years, one has a lot to think about. Wandering familiar pathways, gun in hand, staying quiet as could be, oh, she had done this before. Many, many times. Doing it again... brought back memories that she had been trying to avoid. But how long could she manage that? Apparently not long. Her eyes had seemingly started to glaze over as she moved more out of habit and less by carefully constructed thought.

What if whoever it is gets to one of the others before I can?

Once again her thoughts were interrupted, left in the air to dry, or perhaps to die. Both of her eyes snapped back to attention (though the right one lagged as it was cursed to do) when someone appeared in front of her. Had she even seen them come up? No. It was more like one second she was alone, the next there was a lass with her. A single tuft of raven hair fell out of place as she instinctively took a step back. How the hell did I not hear them coming? Maybe, in reality, she had. She simply hadn't been listening enough to realize it. Now that was a distinct possibility. Sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves that we can't even fathom how much of the world around us we miss. It seems like Nyx was experiencing that situation. Oh, but look at this, she will never know, for see the way the intruder's presence unnerved her. Watch as her fingers twitch. See as those yellow eyes go wide, witness the quivering of her lips, the shaking of her chest as the breath catches in her throat.

It's... a kid.

This girl, the person whom our Zorren friend had been silently preparing to shoot, or to kill, looked to be no older than eighteen. Perhaps most wouldn't consider that to be 'young'. For one like herself it felt far to young. Someone of her species could live up to five thousand years, far longer than most, far more than two measly decades. And while this one had only survived twice that amount... she held a spot in her heart for children that could not be ignored. Looking at the kid started to bring back even more memories. Without hesitation her mind started racing. Almost as if it was looking for the quickest, most convenient ways to cause her the absolute worst pain it could. Dromand Kaas. Father. Blood. THE BATTLE OF BRILBORN. Why are the youngest ones dying first? It was the voice that drew her back into reality, if only briefly, and let her respond. Though Melori had only spoken once her words were on repeat for Nyx.

Hi, I'm Melori. Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? Who are you? WhO aRE yoU?

"Nyx." The syllable was forced, rushed out as if there hadn't been any other choice. Drapeam knew that if she wanted to keep the thoughts at bay she was going to have to keep talking. But what more was there to say? Full name. No, she hated her full name, never used it. Alternatives? She didn't have time to think of any. Instinct kicked in. SPEAK. "Nyxius R-... Nyxius Raldra Stone." Not Raaf. Nor Vael or Koveck or Zambrano. Stone. Stone was her last name. It had always been. Yes, she was a rock, not a Nyxai. Never Nyxai. Never. There was more to say though. That couldn't be it. Why wasn't she thinking straight? Kid. It's a kid. Of course, her aversion to hurting spawnlings, or even thinking about doing so. Every thought she had thought prior to her discovery felt tainted. I thought about having to shoot you. In the head. Karma had to be balanced again. Yes? "What... what are you doing here, Melori? Is, is there something I could, I could help you... with?"

Functioning properly was not something she was able to do at the moment.
Maybe that was a good thing, as her voice was no longer a whisper, but had returned to it's normal volume.
There was a chance someone else from her team would hear her and come investigate.
Then again, everyone but the Commander seemed to hate her. Well, the commander and Faal'en...
---------------------------------------
EQUIPMENT: MK-II Battle Armor, Czerka Knigfe, sniper rifle, stolen lightsaber. Link in signature
INJURIES: Sith Poison in veins {Passive affect}
NOTES: I really need to work on my response times. Also, yay for finally having a chance to bring up Nyx's PTSD. Or at least yay for finally using an opportunity. I had pushed aside that character trait for far to long.

[member="Melori Raaf"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori kept the cute smile in place.

“Well, Nyx, perhaps you can. I’m kinda being naughty so I’m hoping you can keep a secret.” She giggled slightly and blushed – she was clearly good at this. “I mean, not a bad secret of course, I’m a Padawan after all.” She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice into a conspiratorial whisper. “But I’m looking for something. Just the one thing. It’s small and no doubt hidden. I had a few ideas where it was but my first two came up empty. But my best guess? I’m really hoping I can find it there.”

“You see, what with the Force being wonky, I probably shouldn’t be here. There could be Sith or anything around. But…” she looked into Nyx’s eyes, her own baby-blues soft and full of innocence, “You know when you love someone so much, you’ll do something naughty for them? Because you know that in the end they’ll love you all the more for it.”

“This thing, it’s for my sister. You see, if the Sith get their hands on it, I’d never forgive myself. I’ve been studying the Jedi archives,” of course the best lies were essentially truths, “And I’m sure I know where it is.”

“I don’t know how busy you are? You could help me or you could do whatever it was you were doing. I’m happy either way.” She wiped the palm of her hands on her ‘borrowed’ sister’s robes and noticed what she was doing. “Sorry, it’s a family trait. Despite the eyes and hair, people say we’re alike. I got dad’s eyes.” She lifted the hood of her robe and it was true, the family resemblance was there. From a distance she could easily pass for her older sister.

[member="Drapeam Nyx"]

 

[Artemis Vahl'Nyx]

LOCATION: Ossus; Wandering Halls
OBJECTIVE: Did you say sister?...
MUSIC: What A Catch, Donnie by Fallout Boy
---------------------------------------
"Well, Nyx, perhaps you can," the kid (Nyx had a hard time thinking of her as anything besides that) said, starting to blush. Was this normal child behavior?... Well, she giggled to, kind of like that one Vivienne girl. "I'm kinda being naughty so I'm hoping you can keep a secret. I mean, not a bad secret of course, I'm a Padawan after all." That was a tad worrying. Moreso than her potential non-kid habits. What exactly did she need help with? Did she have something mischievous or damaging in mind? Couldn't be. Kids... kids aren't supposed to be bad. That's not something that should happen. They're good. Innocent. With lots of life ahead of them. Melori had to be good, right? "But I'm looking for something. Just the one thing. It's small and no doubt hidden. I had a few ideas where it was but my first two came up empty. But my best guess? I'm really hoping I can find it there." So she was searching for an item. A teddy bear, probably. Don't children like those kinds of stuff? Fuzzy woodland creatures and stuffed toys they can cuddle at night? Yeah. Nyx was pretty sure they did. "You see, what with the force being wonky, I probably shouldn't be here. There could be Sith around." Hearing that made the Zorren stiffen. She's right, the woman thought, we have to be careful. Quietly she glanced around, turning back just in time to lock eyes with the 'youngster'. "But... you know when you love someone so much, you'll do something naughty for them? Because you know that in the end they'll love you more for it?"

Stone... I'd do a lot for her. Maybe break a few rules. Cut some corners. Hell, I'd risk my job, my home, and my honor for her. That's... chite, that ain't a good thing. Thinking like this isn't a good sign. Just gotta find her, finish my treatment, then leave the order. She'll understand. Neither of us will have to risk anything for the other. I can go back to just being that one queen Nyx. Wouldn't that be better? Simpler? Pulling herself away from her thoughts took her a moment. When she finally managed to she realized she had started to miss more words. Nodding (as if to say she was listening, or that she understood) she looked behind the girl. My back is exposed... she thought, knowing that if the kid was... if the kid was somehow a bad person and if they weren't... if she wasn't alone in the whole charade... No. That's... if there was someone she'd warn me. We're both Jedi here. Which means we'll stick together. It's in our nature. Or at least it's in hers. Mine... I ain't so sure.

"This thing, it's for my sister. You see, if the Sith get their hands on it, I'd never forgive myself. I've been studying the Jedi archives and I'm sure I know where it is." So finding it would be- archives? Did she mean the ones on Ossus? She did say she was a Padawan... but Nyx didn't recognize her whatsoever. Not from what she could see at the moment, at least. For the first moment in the entire encounter she felt unsure of the kid's honesty. Perhaps she should have when they first saw each other... "I don't know how busy you are. You could help me or you could do whatever it was you were doing. I'm happy either way." That was... why did the kid trust her at all? Did she go around trusting all golden-eyed strangers with guns? Was this usual for the lass or had she met Nyx before after all? Something was starting to smell fishy. And they certainly weren't on Maanan. "Sorry, it's a family trait. Despite the eyes and hair, people say we're alike. I got dad's eyes." Quickly the sniper snapped back to attention, watching as the hood was pulled back. Sister. Sibling. Jedi. Corvus? The similarities were certainly there. It was clear by the facial structure, the softer brow, a strong, but not masculine, chin. Just the right curve of the cheekbones. Was this the Grandmaster's relative? Nyx certainly couldn't remember hearing about any family... but she certainly hadn't asked about such things.

"Are... are you... related to the Grandmaster? To... to Corvus?" Her voice shook almost as much as her knees wanted to. If this, if the two were, if... if the kid was a Raaf then... she had to be trusted. Right? Could Corvus have any bad relatives? Sure, being good isn't exactly a blood trait, but- well, evil wasn't exactly one either. "Wait- that's not as important... I have to, for your sake, I have to ask why you're trusting me. We don't, well, we don't... quite know each other. One of us could be tricking the other. Or stalling." Once again she paused, trying to push away both her maternal instincts and her desire to trust anyone who reminded her of Corvus. "It's not safe here. If... if you really trust me... then I must accompany you." Should the kid somehow end up being a troublemaker she could help deal with it. How harmful could a child be anyway?
---------------------------------------
EQUIPMENT: MK-II Battle Armor, Czerka Knife, sniper rifle, stolen lightsaber. Link in signature
INJURIES: Sith Poison in veins {Passive affect}
NOTES: Still alive. Just sick. Not that sick, I guess. Well, besides the usual. Kinda usually sick. I'm going to be quiet now.

[member="Melori Raaf"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori smiled broadly. “Of course I’m related to her silly, I’m her sister. She joined the Academy on Corellia before I was born – and being such a stickler for the Code, never came home all the time she was there. I idolised her.” She blushed – a genuine reaction.

None of what she was saying was untrue – even if this Jedi were able to use the Force right now, they would only confirm the validity of what she was saying. She was Corvus’ little sister and the facts were entirely accurate – depending on your point of view of course.

“You know how it is, big sister makes good. I wanted to be just like her. So when she came here, I joined the Corellian Academy. Just like her. But then our parents died…” The tears were also real, the pain the recollection brought to bear was too much – the memories too fresh to be ignored.

“It made me realise I needed to be in her life more. To have an impact on the somewhat distant sister that puts being a Jedi ahead of being a sibling. But…I shouldn’t speak like that. She’s successful and if I could achieve a fraction of what she’s done?” She shook her head.

“But I’m afraid I’ll be a disappointment to her.” Again the grain of truth ran through the misrepresentation of the facts. “So I studied the Archives. Just like she would. I know she loves history and I found an artefact that I believe is here. I believe Master Skywalker hid it in the Meditation Pavilion. I’d love to find it and show her how clever I am.” Again a blush. “I know that sounds conceited – but I want her to know I found something she didn’t. it would mean so much to me, and I hope to her too.”

“You sound like you know her well. And if you do, you know why I trust you. You’re a Jedi, right? First, foremost and only. Why wouldn’t I trust you? You’re not a Sith in disguise are you?” She smiled softly.

“And I’d be delighted with the company, so lets head out into the gardens.” Company might present a small challenge but with someone in tow that should be there, Melori figured she’d make quicker progress than having to sneak about everywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqmTxasTnio

[member="Drapeam Nyx"]

 

[Artemis Vahl'Nyx]

LOCATION: Ossus; Wandering Halls
OBJECTIVE: We're both lying, oh well, we don't know
MUSIC: To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra
---------------------------------------
"Of course I'm related to her silly, I'm her sister." So Corvus had relatives? That was something that the Zorren had never heard about before. Then again she hadn't talked to the woman that often. 'Twas just another thing she didn't know about her friend. And it was surely not the only thing she wasn't aware of. "She joined the academy on Corellia before I was born- and being such a stickler for the Code, never came home all the time she was there. I idolized her." Now that was a concept she could understand. Old school Corvus never taking a moment to come home, or maybe never being brave enough to try. Still the Jedi's presence alone demanded a sort of respect. Even from a lonely Imperial soldier like Nyx. Did she idolize her friend? Not quite. But there was a fondness there she didn't often have for other people. Because something had pulled her close, whispered in her ear, and told her that the Raaf was important. "You know how it is, big sister makes good. I wanted to be just like her. So when she came here I joined the Corellian Academy. Just like her. But then our parents died..."

Parents.

As hard as she try she couldn't ever pretend to understand loving a father or mother. It wasn't something she cared about, either. Childhoods torn apart are often childhoods ignored. Such was what the woman attempted to do- live a life where her younger years mean noting. Of course she failed horridly at that, considering her flashbacks, the anger almost always present in her voice, and the nagging feeling of ever-present worry in her gut. Her family had not done her well, truly. Part of her thought it was silly that Melori seemed so worked up over the death of two people who's existence was probably pointless in the scheme of things. Besides the act of her creation, understandably. But another part of her mind reminded her that the worlds of the galaxy were not the same. Two never shared every feature or biography. The same could be said for the people that inhabited those planets. This was a child who loved her parents, whether or not they loved her, and her pain was something Nyx understood. Losing her own parents had barely affected Nyx. Losing others close to her? That had done something.

And so she knew what the sting of loss was.

"It made me realize I needed to be in her life more. To have an impact on the somewhat distant sister that puts being a Jedi ahead of being a sibling. But... I shouldn't speak like that. She's successful and if I could achieve a fraction of what she's done?" Corvus was important. Her deeds would live on for decades- the Zorren she called a friend knew that. Would her sister accomplish as much or as grand of things? Perhaps. There was potential in her as there is potential in all. Maybe she'd become a legend. And if she did not... if she faded into history as most are doomed to do... then at least the ghosts would remember her name. At least she played a part in many, many stories. Every road needs the blur of traffic, every tale needs a background, after all. "But I'm afraid I'll be a disappointment to her. So I studied the archives. Just like she would. I know she loves history and I found an artifact that I believe is here. I believe Master Skywalker hid it in the Meditation Pavilion. I'd love to find it and show her how clever I am."

Once upon a time a little girl had wanted the same. Wanted to show her father something grand, arms extended wide, raised up with pride. For so long she worked in hopes of receiving praise or any sign of actual affection. And for so long she got nothing. Yet the longing remained. The yearning for a love that did not seem to be. Maybe this was what Nyx understood best about her young companion: A need to feel acknowledged. To feel... to feel like everything was worth it. Most of all, to feel that there was someone who really did care. Part of her wanted to assure the child that her sister cared. That her sister loved her too. Silence was all she managed... for there was still a voice in her head telling her that she didn't know. Not really.

"I know that sounds conceited- but I want her to know I found something she didn't. It would mean so much to me, and I hope to her too." It sounded like something that Corvus would enjoy. Whatever the artifact was... if it was part of history it mattered. "You sound like you know her ll. And if you do, you know why I trust you. You're a Jedi, right? First, foremost, and only. Why wouldn't I trust you? You're not a Sith in disguise, are you?" They both smiled. Almost as if part of them both knew that things were not entirely as they seemed. As if they knew that both of them were lying without any difficulty. It was second nature to them. Oh, if only Corvus knew. What a horridly wondrous shock that would be. Finding out that lies came as common as breaths. Well, she likely knew that part, it was the matter of who did the lying that mattered. "And I'd be delighted with the company, so let's head out into the gardens."

"Company is lovely. Especially during dangerous days. Let us depart," Nyx said, voice no longer wavering. Quietly she would follow the 'little' one. Traveling together required no sneaking, though there was a bit more noise than they'd make if they were trying to be silent. Should any of the other troops appear there might be some trouble. But the Zorren, a military woman, would likely be able to talk her way through any issues. As long as her less friendly squadmates (those who didn't trust her because of her past) didn't run into them. "I'm not a full Jedi, as a note. Just joined the order a few weeks ago. Before that... I... I lived in Imperial space with my family. The war was hard on us. None of us really wanted it. We just wanted to survive. Some of us made it out just fine. Others, like me, got a bit roughed up. That's why I first came here, actually. To be healed. Heh... your sister was one of the people who I talked to first. Without her I still wouldn't know I had the force." She wasn't entirely sure why she was opening up to a near-stranger.

"So... I guess you aren't the only one who wants to make her proud."
---------------------------------------
EQUIPMENT: MK-II Battle Armor, Czerka Knife, sniper rifle, stolen lightsaber. Link in signature
INJURIES: Sith Poison in veins {Passive affect}
NOTES: This took awhile again. Darn it. I swear one of these days I won't take six years to respond.

[member="Darth Timoris"]​

 

[Darth Timoris]

Melori wondered where [member="Syss Rembala"] was precisely. They split up before they landed and she presumed her accomplice was somewhere on the grounds but had to be sure that her presence didn’t spook her new ‘partner.’

“By the way, I hope you don’t mind, but I encouraged a fellow Padawan to come with me here. You know the rules – no Padawan to travel alone unaccompanied. My sister was always a stickler for correct etiquette. I know they’re worried we’ll end up bumping into some Sith and be turned. Well there’s no danger with me, but it’s always best to follow the letter of the law, yes?”

They headed downstairs and to the entrance, and as they did, Melori listened to Nyx. “Oh my sister is full of surprises. Selfless you might say. Others would spend time with their family but she would rather look after recuperating Jedi.” Melori hoped her voice didn’t sound bitter.

“And so I really appreciate you helping me. And if I see her first, I’ll make sure to let her know how you aided me finding the artefact.”

By now they had left the Academy and were walking towards the Meditation Pavilion. So close to the prize – but without the Force to use, she would have to be smart in how she avoided detection and got away. So she suppressed the natural instinct to rush and wondered if and when they’d bump into Syss.

[member="Lady Medax"]