Journey to the West (Matsu & Matsu)

[Matsu Ike]

This was quite a sight to behold mostly because Matsu hadn't expected all of it to happen like this. The Silver jedi were flourishing and working hard, this allowed her time to explore and learn, to see the galaxy more so then she had already done. That meant with the right amount of help she would need a companion and with the Harlequin Crew milling about on the Subjugator-class assault ship that Isley Verd had traded her for simple datacrons. She was more then willing to enjoy the trip with the equipment and made sure the Dedicated Repair Droid's with the Redeye Probe Droid were moving about.

The old model sith ship set up with two Wasp class starfighters for use, an Espada-class Stealth Transport to bring herself and the ones traveling with her down to planets if they didn't want to land the ship, The SH-LS-78 Winter Eagle renamed Harlequin itself with and a Oya'karir Ground Vehicle with mounted machine gun and space for their equipment. Jut like on Tattooine and in the Hoth asteroid belt Matsu was pairing up with Matsu to go and explore this time though. There was many more things cross the universe they could see and encounter.

She had even moved throughout the ship settingup her own room again displaying a number of the equipment and trophies that were on display from their travels. She had the gifts from Ayumi a former senator who had fled the Republic with their new laws, no proof it just seemed that she was with many others like Zarro and Yusan, Rohn and Tracyn. Disenchanted with the politics and being thrown under the bus when others plans failed. She looked at the Warden Combat Cloud Car she had gotten from a former Havoc member Willa Isard. A dangerous woman who had left the Republic with her team.

The large bed in her chamber had other things she was still arraigning on the shelves, the bag of saber crystals and a Jedi Kimono decorated with black and gold flowers on a deep almost plum purple color. Her smile while putting away some of the pistols into holsters on the wall and the other things, loading her Bodo Baas Gunbelt with ammo and equipment that can be useful all over. The desk holding the large amount of datacrons and Matsu was going through the rest of the equipment as the sound of being ready for take off came.

They were leaving now and there was enough room in the hanger of the ship so that Matsu could fit whatever ship she brought into the ship. Into the hanger and keep it there safe and secure.... Unless they got attacked but there were so many things in the galaxy that could come from this and she was having a fun time with it all. Walking forward and observing the hanger with speeders, her jeep and combat car, the transport and ships themselves. It was time to go to the meeting place to meet [member="Matsu Xiangu"] at a pre determined location.

The jump to hyperspace brought her attention around as she stood on the bridge and all of her peopl were looking at her. "Well lets go and have some fun shall we?" A look at the full bridge crew including Harmony who stood off to the side and was running the systems checking everything as she was confirming for the jedi what was to come. They might not be perfect but they had the entire Harlequin crew going around and doing as needed, they had the ship loaded up and starlines as they went to the meeting location.

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=10pt] Matsu had not had enough access to the finer things in life long enough to accumulate quite the number of gadgets and gizmos her friend Ike seemed to have - or at least, that was the impression she got the last time they'd been out together hunting the Exogorth. She was in the process of acquiring a gunboat of her own - something to travel the Galaxy by herself and get her from Point A to Point B - but for the moment she was crusing towards her destination in a fighter she'd borrowed from the Fringes' manifest. A Vaughan-class fighter, it was small and quick with a very nice hyperdrive. Nothing military-grade, but Matsu didn't have long of a journey to get to the meeting point. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] She'd packed her sword and her lightsaber as both had their uses, especially the sword's ability to not only absorb but redirect electrical attacks. This time around she'd also come equipped with light weapons, things they could pack away if need be: various neurotoxin and paralysis darts and tranquilizer slugs along with the component wrist launchers to go with them, flares, and even a thermal detonater or two she'd managed to convince an armorer of parting with. Along with general survival equipment, Matsu wanted to be prepared for just about anything. She'd even foregone her weakness for fine clothes and impractical shoes for combat gear, even down to the boots around her tiny feet.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] She didn't feel put out by the lack of flashy things - an assault Corvette of her own would come in due time. Until then, she lived and learned.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] It seemed that her friend had gotten to the meet-up just a few moments before her, the Once Ike's crew had cleared Xiangu, she brought her ship in to the hanger that opened its mouth wide for her. She found the spot that had been left clear for her fighter and dropped down lightly to the floor, rolling her shoulders before lifting herself from her seat. Grabbing her pack, she left her container of "goodies" aboard the fighter - they'd most likely be dropping from the hanger anyway, and she didn't feel like carrying detonators around with her was the brightest idea.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] The crew aboard Matsu's ship was hard at work when Xiangu appeared, preparing for their final location. She drew up by her friend's side, feeling oddly comfortable despite the intermittent times they saw each other. There was so much she didn't know about the woman beside her but...it didn't really seem to matter. [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]"I think our plans should be slightly less suicidal this time,"[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] she said.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt] Her tone suggested just the opposite.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu stood there and heard her comment as she had a grin and silent chuckle to herself. Oh that was an interesting idea and she was pretty certain they weren't going to face something large and dangerous... the size of the worm at least. "Well never say never." Her hand went to a datapad and saw the fighter she had brought as she was grinning and moving about. "Well we are ready to head off." She spoke into the comlink and the bridge crew chirped in confirmation as the ship moved to position for the jump to lgihtspeed and adjusted itself to head towards the outer rim territories as Matsu closed her eyes and was reaching out. Three... two... one the viewport held starlines as she motioned with her head.

They were going down the hallway and towards Matsu's room that had been cleaned and made for her to be able to setup her stuff. "The ship is not somethign I usually use but traveling in the outer rim in old Seinar ships is useful, mostly because there are so many and you can hide. These will be your quarters for the trip, there should be plenty of space and a private fresher. My room is down the hall and there are service droids around as needed, the galley with fully stocked food is opposite the medical bay." She had to smirkt o that as it did help somewhat and now moving on. "We have some nice equipment from purcheses the Silver jedi made to get us useful things for hunting. Gallos is a dangerous place."

The idea of going there of all places as she recalled Matsu had lost her arm and had a cybernetic. "There is a machine shop if you need to make adjustments just talk to one of the master armorers about it andwell best of all." Matsu winked while she moved about leading the way towards her room and opened the door as she entered. "I found this when facing a large darkside dragon, it is an ancient artifact." Matsu touched the runed cube on her desk and picked it up as she held it. "I am still researching it but there are very few people who know it is still intact. I found it deep in the unknown regions on Korman Loa. There are many mysteries in the galaxy Matsu and with your help we shall find more."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] Matsu followed her fellow Atrisian down the hallway after they’d set back in to hyperspace, letting her eye slip along the interior of the ship as they moved along. Traveling through space would probably never lose its wonder for her despite how frequently she did it and how far she’d been. There was something comforting about the low, almost inaudible hum of larger ships like this one – a sound you could only hear in the late hours when you were trying to sleep, not when it was drowned out by the activities of the day – that always felt like coming to a home between homes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] She looked around the quarters she’d been given and nodded, dropping her pack on the cot as Ike explained where everything could be found. The quarters were larger than anything she was used to besides those on her old Master’s starship. This would almost be like a vacation – a dangerous vacation. She nodded when her companion spoke of the generous offering of the Silver Jedi. She knew no one else from the organization and it would most likely stay that way, but she didn’t mind playing with the toys they’d acquired for one of their most prized members. “I brought some of what I could as well, though I left it all in my Fighter. One of the droids could always bring it up I suppose,” she said, having seen a few of them rolling around the ship’s decks. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Ike’s room appeared to be part bedroom and part museum, a space that caught and dazzled the eye with trinkets and artifacts begging to be explained. Matsu watched as her friend picked up the runed cube and held it up for inspection, reaching out with her natural hand. “May I?” She took the cube gently, tilting it in her grip and looking at the deep, glinting edges of teal that seemed to pick up when it passed between their grips. “When I was a little girl I told myself I would get off my home planet and see the Galaxy. I did, and I’m willing to bet I’ve seen more planets than many people in the Galaxy. Years spent entirely in the pursuit of exploration…and yet I’ve never seen one of these,” she said, holding up the little cube and handing it back to Matsu. “Mysteries indeed – and I’m glad it’s your by my side.” She’d surprised herself with the sentimentality, wondering not for the first time if she weren’t some breed of Sith she hadn’t heard of.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] “Tell me about Gallos?” she asked as she walked slowly around the shelves of Matsu’s room, looking all along her artifacts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Letting the cube out of her hand so Matsu could hold it and look at it she grinned moving over to her desk and giving a nod of her head. "There are many mysteries in the galaxy and I have worked to explore somethings older then the majority of the galaxy. That cube is from a time when the jedi knew aspects of the force long forgotten. The same magics went into the creation of the original belt." She pointed to one of the bodo gunbelts that were while knock offs of the original still using the same style qualities that allowed for more compartments hidden to store ammo and equipment. It was a quasi jedi magic from the old jedi.

She spoke more moving to get the cube and put it back on its stand while smiling. "Gallos on the other hand is a wonderful place, the Sith of old sent creatures there and built places few could really believe and then the vong used it to store some of their beasts. We're going to go there and well I kind of want to fight a sithspawn created rancor that can resist sabers and glows in the dark." She also wanted to see about some of those vong creatures, which was why she had some arsensalts which reacted with them dangerously. Hell she was looking to getting a small hive of those sparkbee's that could be used to make honey.

The jedi moved then and went towards the briefing room of the ship bringing everything there and about while she showed the planet in open sections of space. Even the sith hadn't went nor the Imperiums or the Mandalorians. It gave them a time of freedom and emant things wouldn't be as damaged or harmed. "There is much there we might be able to find and then there are worlds like." She brought the map out wider and clicked on several planets. "This world here is amazing, built like ancient Korriban and filled with mysteries, here the ancient jedi found a crashed shipfrom the dangerous Imperium and here."

Matsu tapped a space in the Unknown regions leading to the rift and ancient planets where the knell death cult waged war. "Is where the force runs strong with the galaxy and ripples formed. My research has these worlds holding some of the oldest civilizations in the galaxy and one I have been researching using the world in the Maw." Matsu tapped and brought up a planet there while the black holes after zooming revealed. "Sinklhole station keeps it between the black holes and protected." She was excited there were many things they could do or see.

"So are you ready for a large adventure. We can stop by along the way at Shri-tal their invisible marketplace can get you equipment and supplies. I have some special crystals that can afford many things." She was talking abotu the durindfire crystals a pouch of them, from Tattooine and given by Aedan Miles that could pay for a death star or be used in a saber to make it silvery. "There are many things I have and have used my research to find including friends in places of the galaxy few think to make them."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] Matsu suppressed the urge to laugh when her friend said she “kind of” wanted to fight a sithspawn Rancor that resisted sabers. Leave it to her to speak of such a creature like it was something one might find on a stroll through the park, like a horrible stinking hulk of a beast were like running across an adorable stray puppy. “You know, I’ve just realized…after the exogorth everything feels like small beans. You’ve positively ruined me Matsu,” she laughed, trailing behind the Jedi. It was a mutually beneficial friendship in more than the traditional ways: Ike wanted history and knowledge, Xiangu wanted adrenaline and adventure, and both wanted something to take home. The Rancors and the Vong creatures sounded like a good way to achieve both.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Gallos and the surrounding area however, were right up Matsu’s alley. She watched as the display unfolded before the two of them, Ike’s research running in fast little near unreadable lines as it tracked across the screens, accompanying picture upon picture of all the knowledge there was on the largely unvisited planets. Matsu could feel her heart picking up speed in her chest, the idea of stepping out on to a planet that was nearly wild causing her head to spin. The galaxy was huge, filled to the brim with all kinds of sentient life – she had never thought to touch a place that barely knew it anymore. The sense of being alone was overwhelming and it gave her delicious pause. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Black holes, other worlds – she felt that familiar unzipping as reality quivered, the contemplation of places right along the rim of her world making her shiver. Ripples, ancient…outside. Matsu had long harbored dreams of seeing for herself what lay outside the imaginary tangible line that split extragalactic reality from hers. It was a pipe dream but wasn’t a girl allowed some whimsy?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Managing to bring herself back from daydreams she nodded, pondering everything that had been laid before her. The prospect of stopping at a marketplace was exciting. She had more than enough credits to stock up on both the commonplace and exotic. Whatever Ike bought with her crystals was hers – Matsu had always had a hard time accepting things from others, something she needed to break herself of. Not every gift required reciprocation – she needed to remember that. But she was content in knowing that she would be helpful, she would be one half of a team. “And unlikely friends serve you well,” she said, perhaps thinking fleetingly of the chance of their own meeting. “If it’s convenient I’d like to stop at Shri-tal first and get things. It seems we’ve got a long journey ahead of us.” Stopping at a marketplace like the one that had been suggested seemed particularly reckless for someone of Matsu’s reputation but that had never stopped her before.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

"You've ruined me Matsu."

Those words made her gasp and Matsu looked over with a smile on her face to that as more and more information played out on the screen. She had heard those words but in a less... ah more different... situation and it had also gotten a small chuckle when her head came up for air. Now she was feeling that rush of heat in her cheek and glad for the pale skin that kept it usually from being seen. Her words came out while she brought a hand up to her face to obscure her face. "I haven't heard that for a long time and the last time under very different circumstances." She didn't go towards the bridge just moving back to look at the screen and take in all of the itinerary. They had plenty of things to do and one never knew what surprises might be in store.

She was looking more at all of it on the screen and tapped her chin while she thought about what else there was for them to work with and handle. Her amusement coming in after all of it in the end and she spoke. "Shri-tal it is then, I can promise there are few worlds people have seen that have the history and purpose of it." Matsu moved speaking into the comlink and taking a seat while she adjusted the table to lean back and put her feet up on one of the other chairs around the table. "Set course to Shri-tal as fast as you can." Her hands came up while the galaxy map changed a little to show the course adjusting and the ship moved into position before jumping.

She let her mind drift less focusing on Matsu for the moment and more focused on her own thoughts for just a moment. A brief second or two and her mind was drifting in and out of it all. Those words.... She hadn't expected them and they brought up so many memories while her fingers lightly tapped on the table letting the tattoo's show. Her scars as well where she had been infected and healed the muscle being torn mostly so without the force she was in constant pain. Her lips parted slightly as the tapping stopped... her lids half closed and tongue just touching the roof of her mouth. Thoughts of those words and not what they meant but who coming while that familiar sensation came along her back raising the hairs.

Spoiler

"Be careful with it Chora." "Oh come on snowflake just one more time. For me." Matsu looked at the girl in her bed as they both laid there and felt the rocking of the ship. Illum was cold and while she didn't deny coming here was a strange feeling. it had been for a purpose, they were building a saber for Chora.... her own personal sabers but things hadn't gone well. The cave hadn't shown Chora the way until... until the end when after several hours in the ice Matsu had found a crystal. It glowed in synch with their heartbeats and as the Falleen touched her hand. She felt her heart racing which the crystal seemed to emulate.​

​

Then the crystal was in her hands and her hands were placing it is the navel of her girlfriend. All the while her fingers were tracing the diamond like scales around her belly. They matched in a few places she had seen in private. Then she giggled and kissed lightly up her body until she reached her lips and smelled her pheromones. Yes the pheromones were there but they enhanced attractiveness that meant Matsu had already decided she was attractive long before she actually smelled her. Then the covered were over them and Matsu saw starlight dance across her vision.​

​

Then it flashed again as Matsu recalled more, the small link she had given to teach Aika letting her remember more. The battle of Cyrilla as she and Chora fought blade strike for blade strike and above the rain hammered. The fleets above blocking out the sky it seemed and as silver blade met red. Matsu thought she was lost. Then they fell, off the citadel and to the ground. The bombs that had been dropped taking effect as the Blue Shadow virus wormed into their bodies. She had arisen with her last ounce of strength and.... And a coldness in her stomach. ​

​

Matsu looked down and saw the red blade before they both went to their knees and Matsu stared at her. "You should have stayed away, you can't save them." Matsu looked and raised her hand as she spoke in a barely audible whisper. "Not them..." She left it open and fell back feeling herself weaker from the virus and now a stab to the gut. Her eyes blinked as the rained pattered down then she heard something she hadn't thought. At the edge of her hearing. "Snowflake? Matsu..." Then silence, her body moved but she couldn't open her eyes and she was being carried. Being taken into a ship and they flew away.​

​

Then she awoke with a shout, her stomach wrapped and the sickness gone. Her eyes scanned and they weren't on Cyrilla they were on Rhen Var. In Dokai's temple and Matsu rose as she heard a sound. The bed across from her shifted under the covers. The thick furred covers and a spill of white hair came out. Matsu rushed over holding her stomach as the sight of Chora with the virus in her was scary. The woman took her hand and spoke with light in her eyes. "My snowflake, your alive." ​

​

Matsu looked at Chora and nodded her head too fast as the sight scared her as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't know what to do and just laid there as she held Chora through the pain. "Matsu.... take care of them. Don't... don't tell them I failed." Matsu nodded her head and then and then she felt it. It was like her arm had been sliced off as in her head she kept trying to reach out but failed. Her hands beat and pushed on Chora's chest before she gave up and saw her tears drop to her face. Matsu stayed like that for the rest of the day until she couldn't cry anymore and rose. She took the body and prepared a pyre wrapping it up and setting it ablaze while she looked at the ship. Her hear felt like an aching wound and she wanted to go to her one last time to follow.​

​

...but she couldn't, she couldn't follow and couldn't stay as the sun began to rise and the last embers went away. Matsu walked into the ship and set the course to return to Tython to return to hers and Chora's children as her heart ached. Then she touched her hands to her face and wept again. That would be the last time she visited Rhen Var and on Tython deep in the woods she made a grave. Hidden from the jedi because you didn't bury the fallen, you didn't honor them. She carved on a stone and set it in the snow capped fields where they had first kissed. ​

​

​

​

Her breath caught for a moment and Matsu jerked back to reality while she listened and thought about it. Focused more on what had come while she was moving and still in the seat. She hadn't expected that and relearning all of her skills she had forgotten about including how to bring memories forth and project them which she had been doing possibly. Matsu hadn't thought if people could see her thoughts but flicked her eyes over to Matsu and her breath was caught in her throat, her chest felt heavy and constricted, pupils dilated as her brain was working on processing the information. It was all part of the plan in the end to make her old skills come back to what she really wanted to have. "Sorry about that. I got distracted but we will be there and I hope you enjoy pretty things."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] The gasp was not something Matsu had expected it – it had, after all, only been a joke. (She was beyond ruining, to be frank.) She turned her head to see the bloom of color blossoming lightly over her friend’s cheeks, the way she half tried to hide it, and tilted her head in both apology and curiosity. It didn’t seem she’d touched on anything too terrible but at the same time she would be sorry if she had. “I didn’t mean to bring up anything unpleasant,” she said, not asking directly what those different circumstances had been…but letting her tone say she would like to hear the story if Ike wouldn’t mind sharing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] It wasn’t immediately forthcoming and that was fine – Matsu was patient, a quality that perhaps wouldn’t be expected. And it hadn’t always been her nature but she had learned the rewards were great. As they sat down together, Matsu a little hesitant to mirror the casual stance of her friend but eventually following suit and draping her legs over the arm of her chair she’d chosen to rest her feet on the chair next to her, she watched Ike reach forward and saw the tattoos and scars criss-crossing her arms.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Oh Xiangu…you HAVE touched on something unpleasant…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] She was just reaching out to touch, to run the ends of the delicate fingers on her natural hand over the raised flesh of her friend’s arm, when memories that weren’t her own came flooding in to mind. It was perhaps easier than her friend might have intended (if she even knew she was doing it) because of Xiangu’s obsession with the mind and her perceptiveness to powers surrounding it. But regardless of Ike’s intentions, all the sudden they were both caught up in the whirlwind of emotion of memories too bittersweet and then too sorrowful to remember alone. In the beginning she felt a small smile despite the hollow dread in her stomach, knowing somewhere along the line things turned, watching her friend with a Falleen woman that was obviously more than a friend. The smile disappeared as the memory unfolded, pieces of time woven together to tell a story that weighed more heavily on her than she could have anticipated. Please…it doesn’t have to be this way! But her thoughts in hindsight meant little besides sentiment as she felt loss, loss, LOSS terrible and full. Death was a hollowing sensation but in the Force, between two connected, it was like dying yourself when a connection was lost. Come back, come back! She had to catch her breath as she saw Matsu, face buried in her hands after burying the Falleen she’d called Chora. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Seeing it all left her with the distinct impression of why despite their friendship and the coincidence of their namesake, they were two entirely different people. How could Ike be this beacon of light, a force of hope that the Jedi claimed to be when she had seen and known so much pain? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Because you didn’t bury the fallen, you didn’t honor them…[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=9pt]It seemed a shame.[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=9pt]Would you bury me? I’d bury you.[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=9pt] There was a moment’s hesitation before she closed the few inches between herself and Ike, wrapping her fingers lightly around her wrist, ignoring an apology that would have infuriated her had she not been so moved. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly though none of it was her fault. She was sorry she couldn’t change it, sorry she couldn’t make it better. She offered a delicate smile, a soft little promise of understanding. Her memories – even in the pivotal one, where she lost everything – she did not feel were so poignant. But she did understand. “I’m sure we’ll both enjoy some pretty things. Now, have a Sabacc deck lying around? Let’s play a game – I bet you can’t beat me,” she said, unwinding her fingers and looking around for something to occupy their time and get them talking of something else as the map before them showed their progress towards an ever-approaching Shri-tal.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu wasn't expecting it... she felt Matsu's closeness and then she was sensing her in the memories while her eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't been suspecting that, she hadn't been expecting to share those memories while she felt the other. her hand, her words and took comfort in them, the small connection giving her less ideas and more feelings. She knew Matsu wasn't a jedi, she was not a sith like the one sith either but she did follow the darkside. That could make her dangerous were they not friends... or could become an issue but she didn't see it as that. She had known a few darksiders who weren't sith.

"I am... that was... I do not know." She shook her head more in that slight unease one got but she wasn't disliking it. There wasn't many who she had shared her burdens with and here was one who was a stranger She took a sharp intake of breath through her teeth and exhaled. "It is alright, old memories and pain. We all have scars and sometimes you believe things have been buried and slowly everything comes back around." She smiled now thinking about it and running a hand through her hair to put it behind her ears, the idea of playing Sabacc a welcome and she did have a deck.

"I believe." Matsu was thinking about it now and rose just a bit to allow herself to dig around and find the small thing of card games or equipment. She drew out a deck of Force Sabacc cards and had a raised eyebrow as she sat back at the table. There was plenty that could still happen and they had time before arriving on the planet. Barring anymore unexpected floods of emotion and memory Matsu popped open the deck and slid the cards out. "We do not have regular, force Subacc is much the same just a few different rules. The real question is what kind of stakes should we play for?"

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] Xiangu nodded as Ike brushed away the unintentional moment of sharing – she knew well the concept of memories coming back unexpectedly. It didn’t take much did it? For her it wasn’t remorse but anger. Sometimes all it took was seeing the small bolts on a poorly made ship, a reminder of the shrapnel she’d embedded in the skull of the man who’d taken her arm when she’d torn his scavenger apart and used it as a weapon. Someday she would be free of him, even just his memory.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] But for the moment, she had company and a destination to look forward to.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] She raised her eyebrows in a short expression of amusement when Matsu drew out a deck of Force sabacc cards – what irony. (But Matsu knew better by now, very little was just coincidence.) But then there was the question of stakes and Xiangu felt a little thrill at the prospect. No better way to pass the time than playing for the prospect of reward. But what to bet? Credits meant little to either woman it seemed (transient, copious) and Ike had all the gadgets she could seem to possibly want. The age old question: what did you bet the woman who had everything?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] So Matsu left that up to Ike to name her price, popping her own up first as she gently took the deck from her friend and dealt their first pair of cards. “If I win, I’d like two of those armor-piercing knives I saw in your armory,” she said – low stakes but they would be useful to a woman so trained in hand-to-hand combat…and it was game one. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] She tilted her head at Ike, wondering what she could ask of a woman who would most likely never have anything to compare to the wealth of doodads and datacrons she already had. Something less concrete perhaps? Bring it on, Jedi.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu thought about the blades that were the stakes while she wondered what could be put up from her friend for the pot. She wasn't going to take what she could but there was always things to be found later. You never knew what might happen down the road. "I believe that can be arraigned, two of the blades vs something later down the road. I suspect our adventures will bring many things and you never know what might become of interest in the future." In truth she had more interest in seeing the woman's character... she knew she was skilled, talented but an entire room of artifacts and trinkets but she chose the knife.

That piqued Matsu's interest and she shuffled the deck while also thinking about other things she had been doing. Her mind working overtime while her connection to the force slowly healed itself and oh she had an idea. "Or perhaps just your help on something further down the road I have gathered some parts but as yet I do not have the connection to the force I once did. Down the road I might need some to compliments and balance what is to be made." She smiled to that and thought about how best to be vague and intriguing, she wanted help and forging what she wanted would require a great deal of work.

She started dealing the cards and setting it up while thinking about the rest and her fingers tapped on the cards as the game began. Then continued while she retrieved the Tal'galar Kal blade and set it on the table. She was more then happy to get and lose a blade to Matsu while she was more then glad to try and get from victory the gloves she had planned and thought out. She had gathered some of the supplies and some of the parts but it wasn't time yet, she would need to use skill and energies. More so because balance would need to be maintained and that was why she saw a chance for this with Matsu.

Not that she was going to be selfish about it, she cared for the woman as a friend and was more then willing to go at it alone but having support would mean she didn't have to deal or face ones who were dangerous. The Silver Jedi might not approve of the counter balance of it but Matsu wasn't going to try and upset the balance of the force and cause a ripple by using the force to create and empower only one side. Push and Pull, light and dark she needed both for her ultimate plan and the conclusion that might come from it while she was sitting there smiling. "You are better at this then I thought."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] The price was lower than she thought. Xiangu had been prepared for any numbers of requests – face a giant beast on your own to bring me something, give me your other arm – but what Ike named was, in truth, easy. She wouldn’t say it out loud but her help didn’t need to be won in a game of sabacc. She was in it for the experience. She hadn’t joined the Sith – though she had nothing against them – simply because she valued freedom above all else. The Fringe provided her the opportunity to do as she pleased, to work with whom she pleased, and to roam where she pleased as long as it did not interfere or harm with the Fringe’s interests.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] And offering to help Matsu did nothing of the sort.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] But to admit that she was on board anyways would spoil the sport of the game, especially as Ike came back with the knives in question. They were dangerous looking things and perhaps a strange request considering the things Xiangu was possible of, but despite being absolute poodoo with a lightsaber she was dangerous when it came to hand-to-hand combat. She was known to fight with a completely impassive expression, every move a calculated response to her opponent’s flying hands and feet. She did not often get the chance to battle others face to face as most force-users preferred their saber or more long-range telekinetic attacks. But to have something that could punch through even beskar – that would make every sporadic encounter all the more sweet.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] She laughed when Ike spoke up again. “What, better at planning for my own gain? I would have thought it came with the territory,” she said, giving Matsu a grin. The cards were dealt and hers represented the dark side, just as she’d called. The rules of force sabacc were mostly the same to those she played regularly – and as she looked at her hand she kept her face impassive, muting her reaction.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Calling, betting, shifting, drawing – and each time her hand rose. They weren’t playing for money so the round was short but eventually as it drew to a close she had reached 19. The only way for Ike to win was to have a higher hand closer to 23.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Matsu Ike"][/SIZE]​

​

Spoiler

I'm leaving it up to you if Ike wins or not since, of course, they're your knives! I don't care either way, and Xiangu will be around to help her in the future no matter what.

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu looked at Matsu and her face mirrored, becoming more impassive and emotionless while she slid her hands along the cards. Choosing the lightside as needed and checking what she had. It times past she knew how to best distract Chora and get her to make mistakes... or maybe the Falleen had just done it for her benefit. As the hands continued to be played and stakes, raised, hands won. She was alright with departing with the equipment. The knives on the table in their sheaths as she put one hand down and while losing it was still good. Her less then often choice to switch sides getting the better of her.

"Well your sabacc face is on par with mine but..." She picked up the blade and held it in the sheath for a moment. "These are very beautiful blades, they might not be the strongest for conventional use but some of those mandalorians can make them into something deadly. When you use them be careful, the edge might be one of the sharpest in the galaxy but it is easy to snap and you'll be left with nothing but a regular knife." She had a smile finally setting it on the table and sliding it with the pot for Matsu to get. They had played several hands, back and forth she guessed she might have a chance again.

Then there was Harmony, the HRD with silver plating standing in the doorway as she spoke. "Master we are nearing Shri-tal's moon of Dogesia. Silver Jedi Reports show updated amounts of activity and the Jun-la you requested from the temple has been brought up for us to take possession of. Updates from the region report several more ships on the third moon in the quarantine zone that have been working to keep the plague contained. There is also the final update that has been forwarded to your quarters. The directions were very specific from Hapes."

Matsu bowed her head to that and took in the three updates, the plague on the planet's moon was being controlled which was good. Those ships they had gotten from Silk were coming in handy as well as droids. They had gotten one of the best tracking creatures in the galaxy, then there was a private message from Hanna and while that piqued her interest seeing it right now... Given she usually knew the content the Hapen sent her when they were going to be apart for long amounts of time.. Well that was a private thing and she blushed a little speaking. "Thank you Harmony, that shall be all."

Her fingers danced on the table and the twin AI's activated, Serenity and the Red Queen, both things she had gotten copies of and used here to best set courses or handle situations. "Io and Serenity I want the two of you to make the fastest course to Gallos after this and do the course I set up. Me and my companion will be traveling and we need to enjoy ourselves so if there are any places of main interest please do bring them about. I still rather enjoy finding new things in my travels." The two AI's nodded in acknowledgement and Matsu looked at Matsu while she motioned with her head.

"Come on." She moved towards the viewport to see the world, the massive Golan station, the three moons in orbit and the small fleet of trading vessels docked and around the one moon they were headed towards. Larger ships carrying more people and goods then them but they were coming in. The planet with its large oceans and polar regions. A large lake visible from orbit and the grandness of the Emperor's city a large wheel almost. The palace in the center of it as she turned her attention back to the market planet, much like Coruscant and Nar Shadda structure wise but not as large in scale.

"Welcome to Shri-Tal, many come here from across the galaxy and it is a shining jewel of the outer rim. Home to the only known invisible marketplace hub that can get you more things then... well. " Matsu looked at her friend... "There is possibly nothing they can't get." Which was true, the invisible market and economy was on a level only the elite played with usually the mentality of if you have to ask the price you can't afford it. Now they were coming in as the ship went towards one of the larger hangers and in the distance were guild houses displaying everything from flesh to bounty hunters.

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

[SIZE=9pt] Typically Xiangu minded her own business, but even as she slowly spun her hard-won knife over and over in her hand ([/SIZE]and oh, I’ll pay you back despite winning these my Matsu Ike, don’t you worry[SIZE=9pt]) she couldn’t help but notice the slight blush that colored her companion’s cheeks when mention was made of a message that had been forwarded to her quarters. There was an element of girlish teasing to the Matsu Squared relationship but Xiangu refrained from prying if only because of the vision she’d been unwittingly privy to only a short while before. It didn’t seem prudent and besides – it was becoming one of those things were they shared their secrets when the time was right. Their allegiances had come to light out of necessity, and personal information she assumed would come in the same way.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=9pt] They had a lot of traveling and time to spend together – and Matsu was craving a little action, so all to the good. She smiled when Ike instructed the AI to mark anything interesting in or around their course. The fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants planning was right up her alley and reminded her of when she first began in the Galaxy, though this time she was not alone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] Lifting herself from her seat she walked next to Ike as they trailed to the viewport, that sensation of a quickly magnifying planetary structure greeting her. It was one of her favorites – the illusion of a world growing just for her to visit, showing her the wealth of places it had to hide secrets just waiting to be discovered. In her travels, Coruscant had always been her favorite. She supposed it was a rather generic choice when it came down to it but Matsu thrived in the hum of activity the city-planet offered, the gold-maroon backdrop against sin and vice. And she’d appreciated the irony of the Jedi Headquarters stationed there until recently. It was beautiful and exciting, and she was glad to see the planet they were heading towards was built in somewhat similar fashion, though it appeared far less dirty and ‘lived-in’ than the planet in question.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] As they slipped out of the ship, descending out in to the large hangar, Matsu couldn’t help but feel a distinct presence of the Light. She’d spent her fair share of time around Jedi – really, she was with Matsu enough and that should say a lot – but there was something unquestionably driven about the atmosphere. She felt strange around it but plugged on anyway, quickly losing the uncomfortable sensation in the array of silks and fabrics waving slightly in the breeze on their displays screaming ‘look, look at me!’ She couldn’t help but stop, picking up bolt after bolt of fine things in reds and deep purples and greens and every color in between. (“I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for clothes,” she said with a laugh as she held up a swatch of fabric to her skin, giving her friend a sheepish grin.) [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt] It wasn’t until she’d loaded what seemed like an unnecessary amount of product on the droid that would carry the delivery back to the ship to await the completion of their visit that she turned to look at Matsu again. “Alright, you put up with me – what do you need? And then…I’d like to look at weapons,” she said, her voice getting quieter towards the end. She’d said anything, and Xiangu wanted to see just what anything entailed.[/SIZE]

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu looked at the bolts of materials and she spoke raising an eyebrow as she spoke. "You have a good eye but be careful, this world exports vine silk, those bolts... just one is thirty percent of Coruscants economy in a year." She let that sink for a planet of over one trillion that was a galactic center, over a quarter of what it spent in a year. Whihc was why Matsu was being very careful while she looked at it to not mess it up. She picked up one of the atrisian kimono's and had to admit it was a beautiful thing but so expensive. "These outfits are sold to some of the richest beings in the galaxy."

She said the last with a little pride and it was why she liked it here, the moon was the large population center not the world itself. That was still a wonderful place to stand and well she wasn't putting up with matsu... That made it sound like she was the bratty little sister or step daughter. No she enjoyed her friend in this and looking at clothing and weapns the jedi got a mischievious look in her eyes. She was thinking about where they could look at weapons and this world could get nearly anything while grasping Matsu's hand. "Oh weapons are always good, we'll go and see, I am sure someone will have something you like."

The other thought was on the creature they were picking up as she came to that shop first, the large thing was sniffing the air as Matsu stood with the two ranger's for a moment before the Jun-la was released. Its harness loaded and ready for them to put stuff they bought on it and Matsu stood barely at its massive and muscled shoulder. The sta shapped nose scenting her while the blind creature nuzzled. "This is a Jun-la, the people of Shri-tal use them for their speed, strangth and tracking ability. They can find and track people for miles, they are also very very good at travel with little upkeep."

That was the good news and took hold of a strap for the creature while moving and pointing down towards a large building. "An emporium for those who can afford it, or for ones who have items of trade. Rare things, information, services you can always find someone willing to sell what you want and buying what you have." There was also the part where while the silver jedi didn't support them... the merchants here on the moon provided them a service in funding them. Being smaller the operation costs would be lower and with three dresses sold they could cover ninety percent so more then enough.

"Lets go and have a look."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

Matsu watched the fabric – though certainly not the most obscenely expensive of the bunch being offered – roll away with the droid, heeding her friend’s warning but perhaps playing a bit with her funds. Xiangu had more money than she knew what to do with between jobs for the Beast Hunters, running jobs for her old Master who was quite well off himself (an understatement to be sure), and a small side project she had begun work on. Matsu did not necessarily intend on being around forever but she certainly meant to live comfortably while she did. She had grown up in comfort and would admit to being spoiled.

But then again, she’d never been afraid of hard work.

The Jun-la was something to behold, like a cross between a mole and an anteater and yet somehow entirely more vicious…or at least, it could have been vicious were it not for the fact it seemed perfectly tamed. It was clearly blind, finding Ike by sniffing the air alone and then – much to Xiangu’s surprise – turning its head to sniff at her and press its star-shaped nose against the palm of her hand as if learning her. She was surprised to find herself laughing, an easy sound as the thing responded to her surprise by nuzzling harder. “Well, regardless of his usefulness, he seems like fun.” A new pet for the pair to aid in their various adventures – seemed right.

Further down the marketplace Ike pointed out the Emporium, some of which was open-air enough for Xiangu to stroll until she found a merchant that caught her eye simply because he was more subtle than the rest. It was clear that there were thousands upon thousands of things to look at, items to browse through, people to barter with and none of them were shy about hawking their wares. But one man’s shop boasted modest holodisplays advertising a few blasé weapons that Xiangu could find just about anywhere…but something about the modesty of its front…

After a moment she had convinced him she was genuinely interested in something more dangerous and he had the things he kept in the back out for her to look at, looking over grenades and disruptors and – her favorite – knives like it was High Day morning. After a few minutes looking over what to her was like candy she had picked up a few sticky mines she could throw by hand, a thermal detonator or two, and a pair of long-blade combat knives resistant to light-sabers.

Turning to Ike with a satisfied smile – really, it was kind of sick how happy shopping for death made her – she quirked her head in an expression of question. “I think I’m about ready to continue our journey, unless you have somewhere else in mind?” They fell in to step, Xiangu beside Ike with the large, furry Jun-la striding beside them – what a sight!

​

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[[woot post #2000]]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu looked at what she found and it was a curious view into her friends thoughts. Wasn't be tooooo far off when it came to where they were going but then they had also fought dragons and giant space worms. This was not for the faint of heart as she moved stopping at one of the shops mostly to grab a bag of food for herself. Walking through the stalls with the Jun-la and coming across the larger shops on the edges of the hanger while she smiled seeing the ship in the distance. Plenty of other smaller shops between them and there which was good. High above the planet hung with the Imperial city visible like a large wheel with the thicker walls, the large oceans and lakes with fields of green between them then the large polar region where she knew sith purebloods roamed with the Vanr.

Matsu kept moving forward and only stopped again for a moment touching one of the ropo's that was in a box. It was sitting next to a larger one she had learned wasn't a ropo at all but a jester from the Eldorai peoples. Their creatures strange but oh they had some great... really great food in the end. Matsu had a smile on her face and put the ropo on her shoulder feeding it some of the food while it nuzzled into her neck. She looked at Matsu and was grinning while walking back to the ship and when the hanger opened showing the large ship she spoke. "Alright load up the rest of the supplies and we'll get settled in. To Gallos." Matsu walked up the ramp while a large Vanr took the Jun-la off towards the hanger with the other equipment they were loading.

Inside the ship Matsu waited for Matsu to come and spoke going towards the briefing room and she spoke. "We will be heading off soon, the trip to Gallos is easier with the hyperspace routes." A small smirk on her face while she moved to the projector and set the ropo down, Harmony was standing there and with everything they had learned or found while checking. The HRD had tagged several planets of interest and prepared what she could find from them. While Korriban was somewhere she had been several times she was seeing another world had a valley similar and it was out deeper. The flashing interested her at least but more then that she was looking forward to exploring somewhere that had as much history as the Valley of the Dark Lords.

"This world looks promising." She tapped it but also tapped Aurum and traced a finger towards the planet in the Maw no one went to now. Few remembering its history but she had found that information with Vulpesen before he went sith... a sad bit of news to her while Matsu spread out her hands on the table grinning. A small bang going over her face that she blew out of the way. "We are ready, we are prepared and best of all we are in great company. Now the real adventure can begin and never know what might come of it all."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

Though she didn’t know exactly what they would be up against – and wasn’t that kind of the point? – she was admittedly not making purchases in the mind of defending against whatever creatures they might run across out in the wilds of Gallos. She was buying things for herself for the future, to beef her arsenal for the invasions and duels of the future. When it came to spending time with Ike she just let the chips fall where they may. After all, the two had taken a LIVE exogorth on to a ship and somehow managed to fly halfway across the galaxy to deliver it. They could figure out something else unless it was literally a pack of colossus wasps.

They passed the guest quarters on the way to the briefing room and Matsu peeked in to see her silks and fabrics laid carefully over the cot, smiling with just a hint of satisfaction and imagining the places she would go in them before following Ike. Her AI had done her job and done it well, a connect-the-dots pattern of places to see and things to do laid out on the holodisplay. Xiangu had spent more than her fair share of time on Korriban and was not looking to return any time soon due to some particularly sour memories – it was a relief to see the planet she’d originally mistaken for the dark planet was really just similar in geography, its coordinates farther out in the galaxy.

She leaned her hip against the table, sitting on it slightly and placing her hand on its cool surface to support herself only to feel the soft touch of the ropo. Reaching down she scooped it up in one hand, splaying her fingers and holding it aloft to look at its little face full of such unquestioning delight.

It was so cute it made her nauseous.

Perching the thing on her shoulder as she’d seen Matsu do – and trying not to giggle as it burrowed in to the dark locks of her hair – she listened to Ike’s pseudo pep-talk. “Somehow I’m not worried,” she answered, making her way in to a seat and letting the ropo crawl on to her head as they shot off in to hyperspace.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Matsu Xiangu"]

Matsu watched Matsu with the ropo and suppressed the giggle yes it was one of the hardest things to do, to resist was futile and its cuteness would infect all. Yes she did sign on to the Ropos being created as a secret plot to take over the galaxy and fully expected once they had infiltrated every planet that they would rise up and rule over everyone. With a nod of her head Matsu sat down for a moment letting the course go through the planets they were set to visit as she held a grin on her face. "Alright we have about ten hours, I am going to meditate, sleep and make sure I am clean and scentless for the jungle."

She gave a look for a moment mostly of not wanting to ditch her but they should be rested, ready to go and prepared. Armed ready with themselves clean. Rambling in her head aside Matsu rose up and moved off going towards her quarters as she loosened her clothing and stripped by the time she was through the door with it closed, using the shower first and then changing to get dressed while she sat there on the bed for a few hours meditating. Her senses expanding outwards to take in the ship with a smile. She was rather enjoying all of it now while she went under the covers and sent a message to go out to Hanna.

The dreams she had while sleeping were peaceful, while feeling the darkside this close to her internally made her uneasy reactivly but she knew Matsu might be darkside, might be a dark jedi or sith... however she was also someone who could be trusted. In most things she wasn't going to reveal huge amounts of information like or strut around with her in a Silver Jedi temple. Maybe at most they would be stopping over to refuel but Matsu wasn't wicked... maybe not in her company they were pleasant. It opened several doors while she continued to sleep and felt the calmness of hyperspace. The peacefulness that could come from it all.

[[several hours later]]

Matsu awoke to the news and looking at Harmony as the HRD stood next to her bed looking down at her. Hanna had bought her to make sure Matsu was taken care of and the jedi rubbed at her eyes while speaking. "Are we there yet?" The droid didn't really get jokes but spoke plainly. "Yes we arrived two hours ago and set the ship down in a clearing. Your companion is on her own and the ship is running and peak efficiency." Matsu looked up at her. "I am going to have to find a humor upgrade for you Harmony. I'll be up in a bit." The droid grabbed the blankets and pulled them letting the colder air hit Matsu.

"Up, Master Hanna said you are not allowed to lay in bed for more then two minutes after you wake up or you will go back to sleep. You will get up, you will get dressed and you will preform essential human bodily functions before heading off to journey with your friend." Matsu looked up with a frown at the droid and rolled off the bed pouting a little only because she knew who programmed the droid for that. She really needed to learn some major technical skills if only so she could sleep in and be lazy. For now though she would go and do what she needed to do while getting dressed in a expeditionary bodysuit and putting on her leatherworks duster.

She walked out of the room getting her hat while she set it on and moved towards the cargo hold. There was plenty fo tiome for Matsu to join her while she looked out the cargo hold at the jungle and took it all in with her gunbelt on, her equipment pack and several weapons. A net launcher, knives, her lightsabers, dart launchers, a small verpine shatter rifle, her jedi utility belt and the organix lung that could be used for swimming should she need it. "This is more pretty then I thought it would be."

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

Matsu didn’t feel it was abandonment when Ike mentioned sleeping. If anything, it was only the smart idea. They had no idea what they were about to face and if their previous track record was any indication it wasn’t likely to be a cakewalk. Nodding, she lifted herself from her seat, letting the ropo retain a perch on her shoulder as she bid her friend goodnight.

Settling the furry little creature on her cot she moved to take a shower, trying to get used the pervasive feeling of the light filling the ship. Her early days in the Confederacy and even the Fringe had given her experience around Jedi but their presence had always been balanced by other Sith, lending a more neutral atmosphere that left everyone at ease. Not to mention that the majority of them were long time members of the group they were serving, all dedicated to one ideal, bonded in their trust that they’d risked their necks to meet the same ends. Ike was her friend, but besides the extensive crew it was just the two of them, two alternate force signatures struggling to find tentative peace despite not knowing exactly what the other was. It was safer that way. She had no intentions of causing trouble for Ike – she had no qualms with the Jedi unless she was being bribed to find against them. She could even see the virtue in some of the things they believed. But she was inherently wrong, incapable of incorporating the idea of ‘right and wrong’, and she was born connected to dark side. She could commit the genocide of an entire species and leave their planet in shambles in a day simply to take something she wanted for her display cases and sleep like a baby that night.

The bed was more comfortable than she’d expected, sinking in to the mattress and letting out a contented sigh, curling up as she wont to do and feeling the ropo settle in to the curve between her arms and legs to snuggle against her stomach. She moved her hand to cradle it, falling asleep to the sounds of its soft cooings and the nearly undetectable hum of the ship sailing through hyperspace.

Several hours later…​

She woke an hour or so before her friend, though she didn’t know it. She took a few minutes to pull her hair back, pulling it in to a tight bun on the top of her head, before pulling on a dark-gray bodysuit that hugged tightly to her. Foregoing her usual proclivity for heels once more she pulled on combat boots before letting the ropo toddle up her arm and to her shoulder. (Fear Darth Yaojing, surrounded by adorable furry creatures! Mwhaha!) She explored a little, winding through open rooms and looking at the things Ike had chosen to display in the open for guests. ‘Harmony’ as she’d introduced herself, materialized after a moment, studying Xiangu with the kind of detachment most newly-activated AI had when they weren’t quite familiar with their human counterparts yet. After all, you could program protocol all you wanted in to technology, but they were missing something critical until they could learn from experience. Harmony checked to make sure she was okay and didn’t need anything before disappearing, presumably to once again check on the other half of Matsu Squared.

She ate and pulled together all the gear she’d brought with her from the Fringe before meeting up with Ike, drawing her finger lightly along the rim of her friend’s hat as she pulled up to stand by her side. “Kind of jealous of this hat,” she murmured before looking out over the view of the planet they’d been given. “Force, you weren’t kidding…”

They descended from the ship in to an atmosphere surprisingly devoid of the humidity she’d expected, her sword bumping lightly against her hip and her saber hanging from her belt on the other hip. A flock of some kind of huge bird careened over their heads between tree groves as their feet hit the soft ground, Matsu’s footsteps making no sound in the vegetation. They moved in silence for a good hundred meters before they reached what appeared at first glance to be the edge of a cliff though upon further inspection a natural outcropping made something of a path downwards. It was go down, or follow the edge around to some of what appeared to be floating sections of jungle further out.

“Do you feel that?” she asked Ike quietly, knowing in all likelihood there was no way to miss the tug seeming to call softly through the Force to move downwards.

Just as she was about to describe the sensation the low growl of dire-cats, still far-off but making their presence known, echoed through the jungle.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​