Private Of Dusk and Dance

[Phaelissia]

Location: Dusk Aetharian Territory, Felucia
Objective: Find the Dusk Aetharians
Attire: Jungle Outfit
Tag: Merasyrr

The changes in the environment were subtle, at first. The flora took more ruthless, darker modes of survival, with the strong, healthy plants crowding out and strangling the weak. The fauna were more aggressive, forcing Phaelissia to utilize her Cipher stealth training (and her cloaking device), to move around the creatures or otherwise wait them out. The last thing that she wanted was a confrontation between her and the wildlife, after all. Such an event would expose her pitiful skills at jungle navigation, while also drawing attention to her presence.

Still, Phaelissia didn’t doubt that the Dusk Aetharians had become aware of her presence long before her entry into their lands.

However, it begged the question of how far they would allow her to go, before they moved to intercept her. While Phaelissia didn’t think that they would immediately attempt to kill her (she was of their species, after all), even with her weapons (save for her machete) collapsed and concealed in a small backpack, she did not anticipate a friendly welcome. While she was Aetharian like them, she was not of their tribe or coven.

She was an outsider.

Nevertheless, Phaelissia had not trekked more than two days through the deep jungle of Felucia just for a casual visit. The Dusk Aetharians were a martial culture, known for their stunning ballets of artistic murder in gladiatorial arenas on Felucia and other worlds. The dancers in said ballets were adept at wielding all manner of weaponry, but especially the dagger and the whip. They had their own martial art which leveraged the enhanced stamina of Aetharian physiology to manifest an ultra-acrobatic, hyperfast fighting style that could be just as dazzling as it was deadly when unleashed by a talented practitioner.

In essence, Phaelissia hoped to learn it.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Jungle Outfit
  
  • Utility
    
    • Neahtid Earpiece
  • Small Backpack
    
    • Purifying Lash
    • Freezing Fates
    • Survival Kit
    • Spare Nutrient Packs
• Hekler’Kok Survival Machete

 

[Merasyrr]

Location: Dusk Aetharian Territory, Felucia
Tag: Phaelissia

Phaelissia would be correct in her assumption. The Dusk Aetharians had noticed her moving throughout their territory. Merasyrr had been observing her from the trees, along with two of her coven sisters. Granted sometimes tracking her down was difficult, especially when she cloaked to wait out the beasts and monsters. Even then, picking up on the trail proved easier once the more they watched and observed her. It wouldn't be long before Phaelissa would reach the outskirts of their settlement. That's when Merasyrr hopped down with her coven sisters. The three of them surrounded Phaelissa, drawing their daggers and whips.

"I believe you have walked far enough,...distant kin." Merasyrr said with a knowing smirk. She pointed her daggers at Phaelissa "Normally I wouldn't even speak to outsiders. Just attack them. You however, are distant kin. You have at least earned this right to be talked out of our lands rather than forced out. My sisters however, disagreed with my sentiment. So either leave or I let them tear you apart."

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Felucia
Attire: Jungle Outfit
Tag: Merasyrr

Phaelissia registered the warriors’ approach while cutting down another fungal plant in her path, causing her long, pointed ears to twitch with stimulation as she brought her gaze up towards the canopy overhead. Her synthetic gaze widened upon catching sight of a trio of towering figures as they descended down from the fungal trees. While Phaelissia’s reflexes were more than fast enough for her to have repositioned herself so that they could not surround her, a brief consideration of their dispositions told her that they did not intend to attack immediately. Thus, the Aetharian remained in place, even if only out of a desire to avoid escalating the situation. Still, her hyperacute, augmented senses remained primed, ears twitching as she kept track of the warriors’ positions and movements.

All the while, Phaelissia narrowed her eyes as she took stock of the warriors’ features. The Dusk Aetharians were tall, their statuesque builds easily dwarfing the comparatively tiny frame of the lone Cipher. Their lithe, toned forms were visibly honed for violence, which they had no shame in displaying through scanty outfits that revealed pale skin and rippling musculature. Staring down at her were three pairs of piercing red eyes that had various colorful war paints around them. However, it was only upon seeing their long manes of thick, colorful hair that her lips parted with equal parts envy and awe. For reasons of practicality, Phaelissia kept her hair shoulder-length. However, seeing their hair made her want to grow out her own and perhaps, style it in the same high ponytails that they wore.

After a few moments, the lead warrior spoke up, immediately drawing Phaelissia’s eyes to her. Her skin had a slightly rosy red hue, while her piercing crimson gaze seemed to bore into the Cipher in much the same manner as her daggers were pointed towards her chest.

"Normally I wouldn't even speak to outsiders. Just attack them. You however, are distant kin. You have at least earned this right to be talked out of our lands rather than forced out. My sisters however, disagreed with my sentiment. So either leave or I let them tear you apart."

“I will leave if I am not welcome, but I would first like to make a petition.” Phaelissia said, her tone deferential and polite. “The reputation of the Dusk Aetharians has reached far beyond Felucia. Your acrobatic talents with the dagger and whip are the envy and fear of Hutts and warlords alike.” She continued. “I have entered this territory not to intrude or spy, but in the hopes of training with distant kin.”

A pause, then.

“If you would allow me the honor, I wish to learn of your martial arts in the dagger and whip. In exchange, I would offer myself in service to your people.” Phaelissia finished.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Jungle Outfit
  
  • Utility
    
    • Neahtid Earpiece
  • Small Backpack
    
    • Purifying Lash
    • Freezing Fates
    • Survival Kit
    • Spare Nutrient Packs
• Hekler’Kok Survival Machete

 

[Merasyrr]

Location: Dusk Aetharian Territory, Felucia
Tag: Phaelissia

There was a look of confusion amongst Merasyrr and her kin. They did glance at each other, as if they had telepathic conversations between the three of them. If what Phaelissia said was true, there was some cause for concern. The Dusk Aetharians mainly raid Hutt Cartel operations and fleets. Sometimes they have run ins with Sith, Jedi and even Mandalorians. All of them were worthy opponents for duels. Merasyrr could already see that this woman had some training, being able to move out the way before they had finished surrounding her. If she wanted to learn, she needed to prove herself.

"She has the right." Meerasyrr told her sisters "The right to try and obtain the privilege of learning our martial ways. Come with us and stay close. Otherwise you will be left behind in the jungle." With nothing more being said, Merasyrr took off in a direction, her Dusk Aetharian sisters following her.

Assuming Phaelissa kept up, Merasyyr was taking her distant kin to the settlement they had built over the years. It looked more like a large town rather than a small encampment. Imposing spiked walls, decorated with the skulls and bones of various creatures. Even on the outskirts of the town, some of the Dusk Aetharians were busy dragging off corpses of beasts they had slain to the town gates. Merasyrr simply gave a wave of her hands to let her group through. She stepped close to Phaelissa, nudging her forward. From there, Merasyrr directed Phaelissa to the gladiator arena, where from the cheers and sounds of it, someone was already fighting in there.

"Before you can train with us, you will have to survive a round in the arena. Your objective? Kill your opponent. Is that clear?"

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Felucia
Attire: Jungle Outfit
Tag: Merasyrr

Phaelissia recognized the signs of befuddlement and consternation in the warriors immediately, although she could not hazard a guess as to what she had said or done to elicit such reactions. Nevertheless, the lead warrior—the one with rosy red skin, dark pink hair, and a crown set around her visage—spoke first, swiftly clearing the confusion in the process. The short-statured Aetharian listened to her declaration and challenge in turn, her impassive expression betraying only tiny hints of the relief and tension that she felt. It was only the sweat forming on her brow that gave some of her mind away, which the assembled warriors might have caught.

“I will not fall behind.” Phaelissia answered, even as one of the warriors glanced her up and down before seeming to hold back a snicker. The Aetharian saw it, of course, but she paid the warrior no response before taking off in a run a few moments later, following after Merasyrr and the others.

And in spite of any doubts or reservations the warriors might have held about her, Phaelissia stayed right on their tails as they leaped and bounded through the terrain. While her lack of proficiency in moving through the Felucian jungle was evident, the short-statured Cipher’s enhanced physical abilities quickly made up for any shortcomings in skill and experience, allowing her to keep up, if not even outrun some of the warriors at periodic intervals where the ground was flat.

Before long, the Dusk Aetharian settlement—which more resembled a town-fortress—came into view through the dense fungal foliage. Walls and edifices laden with spikes and skulls towered over the surrounding jungle, a sight that compelled Phaelissia to cast her synthetic gaze upward with equal parts awe and admiration. All the while, the gates were flush with activity as warriors came back with fresh kills yielded from beast hunts. However, they quickly moved aside as the lead warrior approached, at which point Phaelissia felt herself pushed towards the front of the group, as if she were being shown off.

Indeed, none of the Dusk Aetharians were shy about looking at her. Their collective crimson-hued gazes pored over her cerulean-hued eyes, her shoulder-length blonde hair, her diminutive, yet all too curvaceous build, and the strange device attached to the upper half of her spine. Nevertheless, in spite of her differences from them, Phaelissia knew that she shared their blood. And yet, their expressions spoke otherwise, looking her up and down as if she was an alien.

And perhaps in this context, she was.

As the arena came into view, Phaelissia shifted her gaze upward to take in the towering structure. She had questions of course, but none were voiced until the lead warrior finished speaking, giving her a new task that immediately overrode all other priorities.

"Before you can train with us, you will have to survive a round in the arena. Your objective? Kill your opponent. Is that clear?"

“May I use the weapons in my backpack? Or will I use what I am given?” Phaelissia asked. If I am to be allowed weapons at all. The thought came unbidden.

Spoiler: Loadout

• Jungle Outfit
  
  • Utility
    
    • Neahtid Earpiece
  • Small Backpack
    
    • Purifying Lash
    • Freezing Fates
    • Survival Kit
    • Spare Nutrient Packs
• Hekler’Kok Survival Machete

 

[Merasyrr]

Location: Dusk Aetharian Territory, Felucia
Tag: Phaelissia

An excellent question, Merasyrr thought. This was the first outsider who wished to know of their martial skills. She glanced to her sisters who seemingly gave a shrug of their shoulders. Merasyrr sighed as she crossed her arms and then looked at Phaelissa. "First off you need to be dressed in the proper attire. Then you will be given a weapon. One that can show off your martial might to us. Do put on a good show now." Merasyrr would then motion for two Dusk Aetharians to escort Phaelissa below to get her outfitted.

The guards would take her belongings, leaving them locked up in a portion of their armory for the time being. She was given an older Dusk Aetharian outfit along with an ornate polearm. The weapon seemed to be covered in runic symbols, but they clearly looked to be witch engravings. How to activate them, Phaelissia wouldn't know. Once Phaelissia was dressed and geared, she was ushured up the steps where a gate opened up. The gladiator arena came to live with the cheers and screams of the Dusk Aetharians in the stands. Merasyrr was taking a front row seat, crossing her legs over the other giving Phaelissia a side glance.

The Arena Mistress would state that today's performance was a treat. For they all get to see one of their distant kin attempt to woo them with her battle prowess. She gave a hand signal and the opposite gate of Phaelissia was opened up. Out crawled a hungry Nexu, it snarling as it jumped out. Arena guards already drew their weapons as they hopped down from the stands. After all, they had to be ready incase Phaelissia fell in battle. The objective was simple. Kill the Nexu.

 

[Phaelissia]

Location: Arena, Dusk Aetharian Settlement - Felucia
Attire: Outfit
Equipment: Dusk Aetharian Glaive
Tag: Merasyrr

At the behest of their leader, the guards seized her backpack and escorted her down into the lockers beneath the arena to get outfitted. Soon, Phaelissia found herself changed out of the outfit she had arrived in and dressed in a new one—a high-cut one-piece bodysuit that left scant mystery to her form. Her left arm had been fitted with a gauntlet bearing a prominent spike, while her legs were attired in black leggings tha terminated at the midpoint of her thighs. And below, her feet were left almost entirely exposed—an unfamiliar sensation compared to the boots that she was used to.

And yet, Phaelissia knew that this was how the Dusk Aetharians fought. Minimally clad in order to enhance awareness of the body’s movements and position in space, while also lowering inertia so as to facilitate the dazzling acrobatics that they were known for. Of course, they paid the price for those benefits in protection. However, that mattered little if one did not allow herself to be hit.

For that reason, Phaelissia sensed that she would have to learn quickly, if she was to emerge from her training intact.

After she was cleaned and dressed, a polearm found its way into her grasp—a glaive, capable slashing and thrusting attacks. Phaelissia glanced the weapon over and tested its weight in her grasp. Although it was sized for a much taller user, with her enhanced physiology, the weight was of little issue. Still, she hoped to win the right to a Dusk Aetharian weapon forged specifically for her stature, rather than making do with one issued to her from the armory.

Phaelissia was led out of lockers then, and soon, she stood before the gate leading into the arena, flanked on both sides by guards. Almost immediately, her ears were assailed by a chorus of cheers and screams from the crowd. The gate opened in front of her, at which point the short-statured Aetharian strode her way into the arena, catching a brief glimpse of the warrior she encountered in the jungle as she casted a sidelong glance in her direction. And it was then that her words came back to mind.

"Do put on a good show now."

Her objective was not merely to slay the beast, but also to entertain while doing so.

Phaelissia narrowed her gaze then, before whipping the glaive around her body in a graceful flourish. Even with her lack of experience in wielding it, the Cipher’s supercharged reflexes allowed her to manipulate it in such a way that her movements were effectively a blur to the unaugmented eye. All the while, the nexu unleashed a savage, rumbling roar, baring its fangs while its four eyes honed in on the glaive-wielding Aetharian at the opposite end of the arena.

Then, almost without warning, the creature charged her directly, a hungry, bloodthirsty howl emanating from its fanged maw in the process.

 

[Merasyrr]

Location: Dusk Aetharian Territory, Felucia
Tag: Phaelissia


Merasyrr seemed to cross her arms, as the crowd continued to cheer. Whether for the outsider's victory, the Nexu emerging victorious or simply just for the thrill of blood, Merasyyr didn't entirely know. As for her personally, she was much more interested in seeing how this outsider fought. Her eyes fixated onto Phalissia and how she wielded the glaive that was given to her. She blinked for a moment wondering if she was just seeing things. Phaelissa has managed to wield that weapon too quickly that it did seem like blur to her. Merasyrr didn't think their distant kin could do such a thing, especially not what she remembered of them.

The nexu itself continued to charge Phaelissa, the embodiment of primal hunger and fury. It took a couple of Dusk Aetharians to secure this beast from its homeworld to have it transported here for sport, with one of them dying in the process. This predator was cunning as it was deadly. As the Nexu continued forward, the arena guards would close in to tighten the circle surrounding the pair. Then the beast would pounce itself at Phaelissa, with intent to shred the Aetharian woman to pieces.