Private Knight of Ebon; Matron of Flame

[Laertia Io]

Came to Midvinter with Syd in: Scorched Earth

Laertia's equipment:

Black Knight Chitin

SynthBreaker

Dark Favor

Laser Knife

Moya's Wrist Launcher

Syd's Equipment:

451 Suit

Energy Longbow

Orange Lightfoil

Wind and Fire Wheels (Orange bladed Splitsaber)

Objective: Investigate Silo locations with Syd


Laertia had her gear packed in the early morning hours of a Kashyyyk dawn clad in her black armor, for which she was glad for once, despite the uncomfortable similarities that played out in her subconscious mind about Darth Vader.

The armor allowed her to hide her emotions, gave her a wall of seperation, of safety. It allowed her to gauge Syd clinically.

She waited, using the Jedi Code to fight down her emotions. At last she saw it, getting butterflies in her stomach.

The modified, heavily armored Star Courier descended from the sky. She felt Syd's presence very clearly but it felt different. More defined.

She was in a clearing not far off from the Silver Rest as it landed in front of her. Her gear was in a black case next to her.

When the hatch opened, Laertia was caught off guard.

Syd did not look at all like she had when last they had met. Gone was the firey haired, curvy Atrisian athlete. In her place was an elderly woman with fair skin and long, dark brown hair and eyes with a thin frame but almost pure muscle, covered in a skin tight red and gold chromium catsuit.

Laertia raised an eyebrow.

"Yoo lookz diffrunntz..." Laertia remarked as Syd smiled at her.

"My prior look has...a lot of baggage attached..." Syd Celsius replied. "I'm trying to shed it."

"Yooz succseedudz. Sorrtaz."

Syd only smiled, lifting Laertia's case up with telekinesis and sending it into the ship.

"Already geared up, I see."

"MiddVinnterrz iz no jokez, Syd."

"I take my assignments as seriously as you do."

(Cutaway of Ash's head getting knocked off by Parker)

"I'mz wellz awayrez..." Laertia replied, having learned much of Syd's pattern in The Silver Jedi: She was one they sent in for really nasty assignments.

Just like her, in other words.

Laertia wasn't certain what it was due to her injured brain, but she suddenly felt a deep kinship with Syd in spite of her bizarre and sorcerous nature (for Laertia deeply distrusted magic, regarding all forms of it as inherently dangerous and unpredictable, though she did not actively attempt to impede the practice of it.).

She followed the thin creature up the ramp into the ship itself, noting its sparse, utilitarian nature, save for trinkets that happened to be around.

"Get comfy. Its a long trip ahead..." Syd called out as she strode to the cockpit.

 

[Syd Celsius]

"This is an interesting weapon." Syd remarked as she sat across a table from Laertia in the main hold. Laertia remained in her armor as she watched Syd examine the elegant, silvery wrist launcher.

"I have a weapon much like it."

"Reelleez?" Laertia asked innocently. This she had not known.

"Did you build it?"

"No. Famalee Airrloomz." Laertia answered. It was the truth. Sort of.

"I envy you."

Laertia fidgeted in place.

"Whyy?" She asked the elderly looking Force Spawn.

"I never had a family. Would not even know where to start for the basis..."

Laertia said nothing for a few seconds, continuing to unpack and inspect her weapons.

"I'mz notz muuch bettuh attz itz eitherz." Laertia said, thinking of Moya.

Syd then glanced with interest at Laertia's sawed off shotgun.

"Interesting..." she said, picking it up.

"Itz jusst ann olld shottgunnz..."

"No. No it is not. How long have you had this?" Syd asked in fascination.

"All myy lyfe."

"Laertia, the Force favors you..." Syd said, examining every angle of it. "This shotgun is an ancient Force Relic called Dark Favor. It's said in conjunction with Force Light, its especially damaging to Dark Creatures.

"Nevuh neededz tuh uze duh lyte to kyll wyth itz..." Laertia trailed, confused.

"Do you know how to use Force Light?" Syd asked.

"Err...no?" Laertia answered.

Syd leaned back in her chair.

"I could show you how..."

Wanting to be a good sport Laertia nodded, thanking the Force the helmet could hide the emotions playing out across her face. She liked Syd. She was afraid of Syd. Syd could be trusted. Syd reminded her of The Amalgam.

Laertia did 'not' want to think of that murdering beast. It was too painful.

Syd grinned. She stood up.

"In me, the Light is cast literally from within. You must find out how to manifest it from within you in a more metaphorical sense, I suspect. But you must let go of emotion, and let only the Force guide your actions in manifesting it.

To demonstrate, Syd opened her mouth and a bright white light erupted from her throat. Laertia blinked instinctively to shield against the arcane light.

"Once you understand it, it becomes very easy to do..." Syd encouraged. "Try it..."

Laertia tried to focus, releasing all stress and emotion into the Force, but lie with so much, the past weeks weighed on her mind with revelations. She took off her helmet, hiding herself behind a mask of stoicism as she stared at the Force Spawn.

"Duh muhsheenz inn duh hellmutz intuhfeerz..." she explained before refocusing again. She breathed in and out, slowly.

She collapsed as a migraine struck unexpectedly. Syd was by her side instantly, a soft pink light from her mouth shining on Laertia, whose eyes fluttered, head cradled in Syd's arms as the pain gradually receeded...

 

[Laertia Io]

Laertia's eyes fluttered until the migraine fully receded and she was coherent to stare into Syd's now wizened face, which stared with deep concern.

"Thannx..." she said quietly as Syd helped her up. She put her helmet back on.

"I'yll...I'yll triez itz againnz latuhz."

Syd nodded. "As you wish."

Syd left Laertia check their course progress...

A long while later...

The Star Courier came out of hyperspace over Midvinter. Laertia gazed upon the frozen world once more. She beheld the majestic, snow covered mountains, as Syd's ship entered the atmosphere.

"Heavenshield has a nice planet, I'll give him that..." Syd remarked.

Laertia silently nodded, taken aback by how beautiful it was.

"Get ready...we've nearly reached the location of one of the silos. We'll have to make the rest of the journey on foot." Syd announced. Laertia nodded and headed to the exit hatch. Syd set it down then took out her own weapons and headed to the hatch. Laertia still felt a slight chill in spite of the armor as she soon stepped out into frosty Midvinter, Syd floating behind her for a few seconds before landing in the snow, skin writhing unnaturally as her alchemized suit resisted the cold, face giving off slight steam as it constantly melt and reset in the cold, slick with water constantly running down sagging, melting, warping skin.

"Yooz okayyz?" Laertia asked more than familiar with how strange alchemized creatures could be due to loving a particular one to pieces. It did not disturb nor frighten her the way it almost certainly would have anyone else. It had been normalized to her.

"I'm fine. The suit is taking the worst of it. Thanks for your concern."

The pair began walking through snowdrift deeper into a mountain valley.

"So, Laertia, have you acquired an apprentice yet?" Syd asked they walked through the drift up to their knees in snow as they spotted an ancient structure sticking out of the ground. An old control tower.

"Workinz onnz itz..." Laertia answered, preparing for danger, grip tightening around her blade. She sensed no danger ahead, but it never hurt to prepare. She had mounted some of her best weapons on this armor.

"I've acquired an apprentice. His name is Rand. Starlin Rand ."

(Clip of Bond Theme plays)

Laertia raised an eyebrow, though her helmet hid it.

"He's a good student. He has a good heart. Grew up rough."

"Diddintz we allz..."

Laertia's helmet systems alerted her to a faint outline in the snow that looked vaguely humanoid. She trudged over to it.

"Heyy, Syd!" Laertia called out, walking to what appeared to be the remains of a Force Adept. A Sith one.

He looked to have been dead at least a full century. Armor was full of holes.

"Heretics..." Syd spat.

Laertia nodded in agreement...

"But wut duzz a hunndreddz yeer olld ded Syth Larhd gotz in comminz wyth The Brinnyduelz?" Laertia wondered out loud.

 

[Westenra Mina]

Wearing: Battle Sister's Garb (Pink Armorweave Catsuit

Armed with: Blood Sister (Pink Core, Ruby Aura Lightsaber.)

Objective: Journey to Midvinter and become Laertia's adopted sister.

Arrived in: Ra'Katha Sunrise (Defender Class Corvette)

Current Configuration: Melissa Io (See Bio)



While one copy of Westenra had been reserved for piloting operations for the GA, another copy was journeying to Midvinter after Laertia had requested back up.

But that was not the only reason it journeyed to the icy world.

It was going there to give Laertia the only gift Laertia could truly appreciate. Nine had approved it implicitly.

She was going there to be her sister.

She was so excited, The Copy of Westenra that had fought alongside Laertia at Atrisia crafting a new copy with a new guise to assign programs to for the task, picking out a face from computer programs for its great beauty. Like the copy sge had spawned from, she genuinely loved Laertia as a Sister. It felt right. They had become sisters through sharing a massive series of battles together. Since Nine had learned the truth, it became all the more imperative to keep Laertia close by.

She had cut off an arm and downloaded the pertinent information to it and sent it to Midvinter in a defender class corvette on autopilot.

Right around the time it had come out of hyperspace was when the glassteel stasis chamber containing her severed arm started to regrow due to the gamma ray lamp inside as the chamber opened.

The arm moved of its own accord, flopping out of the rest it had been on, breaking down into Molasses like tissue that stretched out disgustingly into humanoid form that stood up, flesh settling into the appearance of a very slender, curvy blond woman with carnation pink irises and golden skin...

The Android, heading over to a nearby equipment table, slipped on an armorweave catsuit that was reflective like chromium yet metallic pink, picking up the golden and glasteel curved hilt lightsaber next to it and flashing it on. Another Synth. This blade had an all pink core and red aura to it. Mother sure knew how to pick a Synth.

She shut it off, carrying a bag of healing stims and headed to the Cockpit.

(Plasmid Acquisition Theme Plays)

(New Configuration Acquired)

Configuration: MELISSA IO

Spoiler

A configuration designed to serve as Laertia's legally adoptive Sister, The 'Melissa Io' cover identity allows her to mimic the skills and abilities of Force Users, and projects a psychic aura that can potentially convince other Adepts the Android is Force Sensitive and light aligned.

Nineteen minutes later.

The steel blue hammerhead shaped corvette set down where Laertia had estimated they would be, investigating the first Silo Site.

'Melissa' spotted the ship of the woman Laertia had described as a Force Spawn, gave a squee of pure delight at seeing Laertia again and quickly exited, following their scent, even through the wind. Laertia's scent was engine oil and rust. Syd's scent reminded her of The Amalgam.

She followed it, through the cold and the wind until she whistled the code whistle to Laertia as she at last got in range, trudging through the snow. Laertia and Syd turned as she waved giggling.

"Greattz tuh seez yoo!" Laertia exclaimed, teleporting up to her and hugging her friend.

"I'm so glad to see you!" Westenra exclaimed.

"Care to introduce your friend?" Syd asked.

"Melissa!" The Android replied, winking at Laertia, who giggled.

"I askedd hurr ovuh az a favuh. We'z olld frenndz annd duh lyke."

Syd blinked and bowed.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance..." Syd said to the Android, who graciously bowed back.

Melissa turned to Laertia with a happy smile.

"Ready to kick some ass?"

"Amz I!" Laertia replied, gushing emotionally. Melissa's mouth fell open a little as her enhanced psychic abilities in this form allowed her to pick up on Laertia's happiness and affection. She had never experienced emotion so directly before, even as a psychologist. It made the Android emotionally bond all the harder with Laertia. She was certain she would be ecstatic at the news.

The three continued on their journey to the Silo...

 

[Laertia Io]

Laertia, Syd, and 'Melissa' headed up the snow capped path, each detecting different signs of danger through various ways. For Laertia, it was having been through the precursors and aftermaths of a hundred different duels, all vicious.

For Syd, it was her deep connection to the Force and Magic. For Melissa, her enhanced hearing and smell, as well as her psychic abilities.

Evidence of a battle. A long ago one.

The corpses, ancient and frozen over, grew more numerous, the steam Syd released from her body making her skin constantly wriggle and shift beneath her red and gold suit in a deeply nauseating and horrifying manner. Laertia, so used to bodily irregularities due to being around Moya, and Melissa, who experienced such skin malfunctioning regularly herself, paid it no mind.

Laertia felt them almost too late, not quite dodging the Vibrosword that glanced across an armorweave midsection, leaving a deep gash just from the tip that caused blood to spill out. Melissa leapt forward, her pink and red blade lashing into an invisible skull, burrowing deep into it. Syd blocked the strikes to her back and throat, bathing the area around her in flamesthat steamed the snow, making the skin on her body wriggle more disgustingly as it reacted to the steam.

Laertia whipped out Dark Favor and a double load of buckshot slammed into the stealthed Purge troooper in front of her. SynthBreaker snapped alive, its green cored, white aura blade blocking a vicious series of attacks. Purge Troopers.

Dozens of purge troopers. They must have been here for only one of them, or there would have been four times that number.

As powerful as Laertia and Syd and The Android were, as many as they had slain, even they knew to take Purge Troopers seriously. They had a proven ability to kill on the run or experienced Jedi. They attacked with great skill and focus. They always had tricks up their sleeve. They were lucky so few existed.

Vicious attacks from all sides by an electrostaff forced Laertia on the defensive just like the others were. They seemed to have especially prepped for Syd. She was getting sprayed from all sides with cryo gas, barely able to block the bolts aimed expertly at her. Laertia, not feeling any modicum of knightly virtue at the moment, caught his staff and flipped him over onto his back, where her boot came down and brutally cracked through the helmet to crush his skull.

Melissa was carving into them, but was getting dogpiled, sustaining terrible ripping wounds across her suit and boddy that gushed glowing red blood everywhere. But she was definitely starting to aggro them.

Syd was rendered very slow from the blasts of cryo spray despite her suit resistance to it. She was mainly focused on evading and blocking shots to her face when possible but still her fires killed many so far...

Laertia used her experience wielding The Momentary Discomfort to help manipulate the electrostaff with her mechanical arm, spinning it viciously to intercept staff attacks and barrel violently into her attackers. She impaled one, then disarmed the other two, before impaling one through the armorweave, teleporting one of the disruptor pistols that fell from the impaled trooper into her hand and shot the other, disintegrating him.

Laertia froze in shock and fear as an artillery shell landed close to her, knocking her backward.

"Laertia! Get up!" Melissa screamed, snapping a Purge Trooper's neck and slamming his electro-hammer into another, even as she was impaled through the chest and head.

But Laertia could not get up, trapped in the day she received her brain damage, helmet scratched by shell debris as artillery rained down on them...

 

[Syd Celsius]

Syd, having continued to kill even as the cryo blasts hit her dead on. When the artillery shells started to land around them Syd knew this would need to end quickly, as some of those shells had cryonic warheads.

Subconsciously she felt a compulsion from one of her inner "Guests". Living fragments of knowledge manifesting in extreme ways. Syd didn't quite understand it as she breathed deadly red flames on a Purge Trooper.

But her flames, hot as they were, were not enough. That armor was temperature resistant, and even trying to force the fire through the seams was slow going.

No choice now, Syd thought as she brutally decapitated him after the third strike to his neck, ripping a stray log with telekinesis and spinning it at a lethal velocity towards a squad of advancing troopers, buying her some breathing room. She accessed the strange Force Power she had acquired on Zeffo that had a light of its own.

Syd's mind vanished, flesh wriggling and melting violently across her whole body, reforming into a curvy woman of middle age with dark, curly red hair, who activated both ends of the orange saber, sinking a deadly, vicious frenzy of spins and slashes at superhuman speed, The Light Side seething through The Sorceress of Zeffo as she caused the rock beneath the snow ahead of her to turn molten and seeth, boiling the snow where the Purge Troopers were instantly and inflicting terrible heat damage. She could not turn the earth directly under a living being within a thirty meter radius so some managed to scramble back and escape from the slow but inexorable tide of melting, burning rock that lunged at them with frightful quickness occasionally, smothering some. The Sorceress of Zeffo's flesh writhed on the bone as she channeled the Force. This host possessed fantastic strength and The Sorceress of Zeffo had no intention of remaining locked up today. It would work the Light on this world as it saw fit to.

The thing using Syd's flesh whispered a Spell.

"Ashla, slam your fingers in burning judgement."

The small bubbling lake of magma began launching piles of itself at the artillery emplacements, hitting and killing some of the purge troopers as well. They began to retreat.

Syd rushed to Laertia who had frozen up during the bombardments, trapped in the day she lost her eye and arm. Melissa was still healing from the severe wounds at an incredible rate, making The Sorceress wonder if the Blonde Woman was a ForceSpawn as she was.

"They'll be back. Purge Troopers never give up until they are dead. Ever." The Sorceress of Zeffo spoke, using Syd's voice, relying on her memories.

Melissa scanned the horizon, spotting an old building of stone. The remains of an old fort. Melissa hefted Laertia up and The Sorceress ceased the Magma's heat as they fled to the fort...

Twenty minutes later...

Laertia was still in shock, huddled in a fetal position as Melissa watched over her, eyeing the sudden change in appearance. Not that she was one to talk.

The Sorceress cast a healing light that emerged from the back of her throat and out the mouth onto Laertia's huddled figure, reducing the effects of her agitated brain.

Laertia soon fell asleep, her brain needing the rest after the shock of the post traumatic episode. Melissa stroked the unconcious killing machine's raven hair.

"You care for her greatly." The Sorceress of Zeffo noted.

"We have become very close since sharing a battle." The Android answered. "She fought against insurmountable odds at Atrisia. I was there to see it. Many brave warriors on both sides fell that day. But not her. She is a member of my mothers Royal House now."

"A Knight of Nobility..." The Sorceress trailed, knowing the intense, bizarre connection Syd felt towards Laertia, due to how both of them were living weapons.

The Sorceress felt the intense potential, admiring the beauty underneath the tombstone skin and scars. She too was in terrible danger. She needed to be protected from Syd. But even Syd knew very little about her. The Sorceress, beyond admiring her great strength in the Light and dedication to the Jedi, could not figure out why Syd felt such an intense connection when Laertia did not seem to. But she did find herself considerably impressed by Laertia.

The fort was surrounded by a sea of magma. The only way the Purge Troopers were reaching them was by air.

"So how did you meet Laertia?" Melissa asked.

"We met on Geonosis, at Golbah City. She had gotten into an incident with the CIS that I was able to help clear up. I too fought at Atrisia."

"I see." Melissa replied. Something was off, but she really was not certain what.

"How long do you think before they come back?"

"A half hour. Perhaps you should make an escape and summon the Midvinnter Authorities..."

"I dunno. Io's not recovered..."

"Leave that to me. I'll clear a path. Can you make it on your own?"

"Nah, on second thought, too risky..."

The Sorceress nodded, hiding her annoyance at the third leg.

"So be it. We wait, then..."

 

[Laertia Io]

Laertia awoke on the table, groggy and barely coherent. The first thing that greeted her was the sight of an older woman with red hair that she did not recognize.

"Whooz arr yooz?" Laertia asked softly.

"Its me, Laertia. It's Syd."

The eyes didn't remind her of Syd, but given how she could see Melissa wasn't attacking her, (And given how the red headed older woman was wearing Syd's skintight armor) Laertia could not help but conclude it must be the truth.

"Wut happendz?" The Black Knight of Nar Shaddaa asked, sitting up.

"Artillery barrage. We barely got to safety. You shut down..." Melissa explained.

Laertia glowered. "Oh. Sorreez..."

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Laertia. It happens." 'Syd' reassured her, wincing as she felt powerful emotions of the buried Syd start to boil over. She barely managed to stay focused...the affection Syd felt for the tombstone skinned Jedi was powerful, and growing.

The Sorceress of Zeffo winced again as Syd struggled for control.

"Wutz wronng, Syd?" Laertia asked with sincere concern and worry.

The Sorceress sighed. No resisting Syd now.

Her flesh warped and bulged, melting and resetting into the red headed Atrisian Laertia had met in the Confederacy. Syd went pale, swooning as her memories were subtly altered to make her think she had been in control the whole time.

"I...I just need to rest. Channeling the power to manipulate Magma...it takes a lot out of me..." Syd explained. "But I will be fine. I am more concerned about you, Laertia...are 'you' alright?"

Laertia nodded. Her armor had fixed the worst of the damage.

"I'yll beez fynez, Syd."

Syd smiled. "Good. We should focus on our mission. First problem though is making this place defensible from the Purge Troopers. The retaliation will be inevitable."

"I'yllz worreez abboutz dhat. Yoo resst..." Laertia assured Syd.

She was glad she had her helmet on, so Syd couldn't see Laertia's eyes taking in her athletic beauty. She was really taking it in for the first time. How beautiful Syd was. She had felt a strange pull to this creature even without her youthful charms.

Laertia didn't understand the sensation she experienced in her gut as her eyes traced every curve. Every muscle. The way the suit clung to her, leaving nothing to the imagination, yet reflecting everything around it.

Laertia remembered to speak, finally.

"West, letz yooz annd meez seez howw vullnurrabul dhis playce iz."

The Biot immediately agreed and while Syd had a chance to rest the two began exploring the old fort, looking for gaps in the defenses. 007 were spotted immediately. Large holes from artillery shelling. Would not stand up to another bombardment. But if they wanted to confirm the kills they were going to have to come in personally.

"One thing I don't understand..." West mentioned as they scavenged the rooms inside the old fort for anything useful. Laertia found a box of old stun grenades, a box of shotgun shells, and what looked to be an old set of comlinks.

Using her background in rigging pyrotechnics for her magic she began disassembling some of the grenades and the comlinks, needing the electronics inside.

"So West...wutz wyth duh neww look?" Laertia asked quietly as she worked at an old rusted table.

"Actually, that's why I sorta came here. What with you joining House Li-Ves and all, and how close we've become, I downloaded this look and new skills to stay at your side always..." Melissa answered Laertia who now gave her undivided attention.

"What I am saying is...I want to become your Sister. Metaphorically AND Legally."

"Yoo wantz tuh beez myy sistuh?" Laertia asked in a stunned whisper, thankful the helmet hid her tears of surprise and joy at Wests answer.

"Yes." Melissa answered. "Call me Melissa. Melissa Io."

Laertia's arms were around Melissa before she could react. Laertia's heart had melted, as expected.

"I havv nevuh haddz a sistuh..." Laertia whispered. "You havvz gyvennz meez a gyft...a sibblyng..."

Laertia hugged her new sister tightly, forgetting all about their danger for a few seconds. Melissa didn't realize it, but she had tripled Laertia's motivation to come home alive.

Too happy at having a genuine sister for the first time ever, Laertia hugged her a few seconds more, her spirits so lifted it was impossible to make her depressed. She renewed work on her booby traps with more vigor.

"So what's the story with you and Syd?" Melissa asked.

"Shee hellpzed meez outz att Golbah City wyth a probblum...wee becaymez gud frenndz."

"Oh?" Melissa asked, finding a small hydrospanner and a few bubble shield emitters. She had seen the look in Syd's eye as she stared at Laertia waking.

"I think she likes you."

This statement clearly and obviously flew over Laertia's head.

"Ov corse shee duzz, sillee! Weez arr frenndz!" Laertia giggled innocently.

Melissa stared, thought about elaborating, then thought the better of it, continuing to help prepare the defenses.

 

[Syd Celsius]

Syd wasn't sure how to process the emotion that filled her, being so close to Laertia a few moments ago. It confused and entranced her.

She felt a strange connection, being this close to the mysterious Black Knight. She knew little beyond what she had managed to dig up. It was distracting, the flame within stirring in a strange way at the very thought of Laertia Io. How magnificent she had looked in battle--

Syd forced herself to stop thinking about Laertia, instead laying magical traps made from her very blood. The Purge troopers would return. It was clear it wasn't the Bryn'adul.

This had been a trap. A trap for Laertia, Syd realized.

She smiled as she traced her blood into rune shapes on openings and gaps...

If they sent so many to kill Laertia, they MUST be scared of her.

She enchanted every opening she could find with a deadly flame spell, While Laertia rigged booby traps. This powerful urge to protect her (She wanted to protect Melissa as well, but in a more general sense.) was making her give the traps more potency than she normally would have.

Syd's breath caught in her throat as she remembered Laertia gutting those Purge Troopers with a mighty swing. She bit her lower lip in anxiety as she traced another blood trap over a broken window. Her breath quickened as she felt Laertia get closer to her location. She WANTED her closer.

"Heyy Syd, I riggedd az manny twappz az I cudz..." Laertia said quietly. "All dhatz lefft tuh dooz nowwz iz waytez."

"Did you find any weapons?" Syd asked.

"Melissa iz kombingz duh playce, butz I wuddint expektz mucch."

"I see, well then...I guess all thats left to do is wait..." Syd replied, standing up to face Laertia, who had her helmet on once more.

"Your fighting prowess is incredible..." Syd whispered. "I've never seen Form One executed so beautifully."

"Thannx."

"Who taught you?, if it isn't prying..."

"Ohhhh...I hadd plentee ov teechurrz..." Laertia giggled, refusing to mention Ursula Sandraven. "Sorrtaz pickked ittz uppz frummz allz ov dhemz."

Syd smiled. "The same."

At least, she THOUGHT it was.

"Yooz havv a verry buutuhful Forrmz Twooz." Laertia complimented.

Syd nodded. "Thank you."

She longed to stare at the tombstone pale face under the helmet. Somehow the scars only made her marble cut beauty stand out all the more.

"So...whyy cattsuitz?" Laertia asked out of the blue.

Syd laughed. "Mobility..." she answered, gliding over to her.

"How did you get the name 'Black Knight'? Is it just because of your armor?"

"At foyst itz wuz..." Laertia trailed. "Dhen it gotz too duh pointz I was called dhatz simplee buhcuz I lefftz so manny boddeez inn myy wayke dhat itz wuz azz iff a duhzeeze hadd hitz duh areaz. A wallkyngz playgue. Diddz yooz havv a skayree wun, Syd?"

"The Flame Geist."

Laertia blinked. "Itt fitz." she noted after a moment.

Syd smiled again. "Hard to deny it..."

The pair got into position behind some make shift barriers. Melissa came out from searching more rooms.

"There's nothing else. Just our wits and weapons."

Laertia nodded. "Az itz shudd beez..."