Private On The Prowl

[Siel'shii Velthra]

An inkling of fading light spotted the clearing. Dusk was rapidly approaching, casting vivid shadows from the surrounding foliage. They danced to the sway of the breeze, bringing the last few acts of the day to an end. The branches above creaked in applause, keeping the otherwise silent forest alive. Siel'shii liked the silence. It brought with it a clarity like no other, and left the young woman to the inner workings of her mind, where no one could disturb her. This is what she was waiting for, the absolute shroud of darkness that would soon blanket the forests of Dathomir.

She thought the night to be a peculiar thing, often associated with the darker inclinations of nature. With the fading of day, the scurrying critters would hide away in their nests. The avian species would bring their singing to a close, leaving the door open for the quiet. The night would also usher in a new breed of activity, the predators. This is why she was here, to study.

There was one in particular she had her eye on for quite some time. The beast's slender, yet defined formed crept along the forest floor. Black as the night itself, giving itself a natural camouflage against any unsuspecting victims. She hoped to mimic this, to cast the illusion. Practicality had never been a strong suit of the witch, and this was the perfect place to learn. To observe the cruel nature of things in action.

Expanding her mind outwards, she felt for the beast's presence. Siel'shii's form remained cross-legged and still in the clearing. Slow, steady breaths ushered out as her thoughts simmered on the negative emotions she was taught to call on. Her mind continued to expand outwards, feeling the fleeting presences of many creatures. Her target however, remained cloaked in a veil. Or missing altogether.

"Something is amiss." Siel'shii would speak to herself, her tone remaining soft as ever. It was a façade for how she really felt.

Then, she sensed it. Something much more threatening was on the prowl tonight.

Ladybug Darth crihl Walker

 

[Walker]

Dathomir, a fascinating world. One that he had been to very recently and came again for a different reason. Nightsister force crystals, and Tainted Nightsister crystals. Of course, there were a number of other possible options as well. The world had a fascinating history of witchcraft and he assumed some form of alchemy, though it didn't seem they called it as such. It was also possible they knew of necromancy, a skill he would be most interested in possessing. Although he arrived alone on the planet, his ship did have Kot Vind aboard it. Not that such a choice was needed. The Persistence was a rather unique ship. His care on this world was more than he normally would put forth. Alongside the Cursed-blade he wore across his back and blaster at his side. The Alchemist carried The Generator. Recent events, and the planets own reputation, had impressed upon him the idea that going with so little armaments was not the wisest of plans. Though this device was kept within a sizable satchel at his side, which his hand could slip in easily as he laid an arm across it.

He walked across the lush ground of the planet. His intentions upon his goals today entirely selfish, as they always were. His mind warped far too much to care for the sake of others outside of how they benefited or amused him. He did not yet know the presence of others. He felt the presence of the force, it was strong here, and it was that that was hiding others from him. Though his own generator had a presence, he was still not used to the ones attributed to locations more than things he'd created. It was fascinating...and threatening. He did have fear this time, something he did not try to silence. In fact, he willingly let it grow, fear and anger were so powerful in the force when used right.

He kept his walk, hoping to sense or come across something or location that could more effectively direct him to his objective. Otherwise, he'd have to use the Generator to focus himself to find what he wanted.

Siel'shii Velthra Darth crihl Ladybug

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

It had been a long time since Matsu Xiangu had been on Dathomir.

Enough time to feel ancient, to feel so far removed from the girl she’d been then as her metal hands instinctively went to the small swell of her stomach and the infant inside. Lately she’d been falling more and more to flights of isolation off her home planet of Maena, restless and hungry - for what, she did not know. Ostensibly, this journey had been to find rare materials for the next couture collection she’d put out for the autumn, but she found instead she just needed the silence. She would come home with unique leathers, gems, plants. She didn’t really care. She just wanted...isolation.

No one else was willing to make the trip to this place, and certainly not at night. Just as well. Her presence would be noted by any Night Sisters she was sure.

Something rather enormous called off to her left, a creature she couldn’t place, and her path trod carefully in that direction. She was in no rush and that was best in this place. One never knew which of the plants reaching so coyly from the underbrush was poisonous, which of the glowing motes floating in the branches overhead was a set of eyes. She had an admiration for the femininity of this place, the quiet danger. She would take her time tracking that roar she thought, just wander this path…

She sensed an awareness reaching outside itself, distant but noteworthy. That could have been one of a million things on this planet but it felt distinct and purposeful. It would not be wise to alert whoever it was to her existence, and it was also in the direction of the roar so she would carry on to whichever she found first. Part of her wanted it to be whoever that was that toyed with its own mentality, pressing outwards. And she, perhaps ancient and chimeral indeed, to greet it.

Walker | Siel'shii Velthra | Ladybug | Darth crihl​

 

[Ladybug]

Mikilanna Mihaly (Darth Kauhu)
Overseer of Science Development, Knight Warden of the Shroud

Location: Dathomir, 8km South of Ancient Ruins
Equipment: Dark Blessings of Kuolema / Varjokävely
Ship: Aries XIII

Dathomir was a planet the illusionist had haunted in the past. The first was to unlock mystical rites of the Spiderclan, only to be thrusted into a long and ancient dispute with one of the clan's rivals; resulting in numerous murders perpetrated by the Sith Lord on behalf of the clan. For her part in dispersing of the rival, Mikilanna Mihaly was granted status among the Nightsisters, and allowed to examine ancient texts and tomes dating back to the onset of the Clone Wars. Contained within, the knowledge of certain darkened abilities was afforded to her; further cementing her strength among the dark side.

The second bout was business over pleasure, yet the resulting outcome from the mission had been far more pleasurable than business. Three agents from the Eternal Empire turned rogue, fled to Dathomir, and she had been dispatched to silence them; viciously slaughtering each one and leaving the corpses to feed the local fauna.

The reason for this trip, was for scientific purposes. Early experiments at The Royal Institute of Science produced a weakened version of a neurotoxin from two plants found only on Dathomir. Sadly, the experiments were halted due to lack of resources. If the toxin was to become potent enough to kill from a meaningful drip, more plants were to be gathered, thus her reason for the visit. However, the elusive plants didn't grow naturally in the sparse jungles and forests of Dathomir, but deep inside ancient ruins were the dark side held court unchallenged. Very few ever traversed the ruins, even less returned. And for those that did, their feeble and weakened minds now reduced to pools of lunacy. The Felacat's mind was stout, and probably already riddled with encroaching bouts of lunacy.

Unfortunately, the ruins sat deep inside a tomb of twisting vines and dense foliage, surrounded on all four sides by open ground. The whole scene was a fright to those of poor fortitudes; for rumors, per the smaller clans that lived outside the fringes of the mysterious sets of decrepit, stoned buildings, of horrors and haunting ghosts inhabited the ruins. But Mikilanna feared no ghost, and embraced horror. Once her ship touched down several kilometers from the ruins, the machine began being pummeled by windswept debris; prompting her to cackle with a disturbing laugh. The Lord didn't fear ghosts, but it appeared the ghosts of the ruins, feeling her presence close at hand, feared her.

Matsu Xiangu / Walker / Siel'shii Velthra / Darth crihl

 

[Darth crihl]

Equipment: Lightsaber, ship

Darth crihl had arrived on dathomir for the first time in a century although not really sure why the force led him here. Sensing several notable signatures around the forest crihl walking through the forest towards no particular location to start fully sensing all the creatures that where In the forest and how they cleared the way for him. As though they detected a greater predator coming his twin Lightsabers hidden within the sleeves of his black clothing seeing if any objects or people turned the old. Purebloods gaze at the moment perhaps he'd search out some nightsister force crystals or explore some ruins he was in no rush.

The ancient pureblood walked until he found a an ancient nightsister temple that was abandoned knowing that their magic might still linger. Crihl walked forward towards the the temple keeping his senses ready and honed for any kind of attack or trap as he walked forward. His dark clothes blending in with the darkening environment around him as he made his approach.

Walker Ladybug Matsu Xiangu Siel'shii Velthra

 

[Siel'shii Velthra]

Shadows crept inwards on the clearing, leaving all but a symbolic ring of light, flickering its last dance, coated in an umbral shroud. With the turning of the cycle, a new night began. The original specimen was lost on her, most likely removed by whatever creature she now sensed. Even with underdeveloped teachings, Siel'shii could sense the beast. It was large, even by standard Dathomiran standards. A primal sensation rolled over the area, followed by one of pure negativity, until finally, the forest came to a standstill.

Siel'shii arose from her seated position, garbed in naught but an exquisitely woven gown. Black as the night itself, the puddle of fabric at her feet trailed in stride with her barren feet. The garment gracefully avoided surefire snags along the ground. She moved as though the forest itself reacted to her presence, and not the other way around. Perfectly blended in to her surroundings, a tug pulled Siel'shii towards her destination. Towards the beast.

There was a notable lack of a weapon on her persons. The wilds were a dangerous place to tread, but there was also power here. It was connected to every living thing and to the soil itself. It resonated in the air, carried along by each particle. A martial weapon was rarely needed, if ever, in such circumstances when one was attuned to their surroundings. In many ways, it was the source of her own power.

The path forward brought with it a familiar destination. Underneath the overgrowth was stone, weathered by the tests of time. Chipped away by the never ending ticking hands of the clock, but still standing nevertheless. The ruins were often revered as a relic of the past, holding within them knowledge of the native's ways. Siel'shii had never personally set foot in them. As a younger, less experienced member of her coven, areas such as these were not reserved for her.

A low rumbling stirred nearby. She was not alone.

Other, smaller, but noticeable presences made themselves aware to her. Picking them out amongst the other lifeforms was not an easy task, given her underdeveloped abilities. The thing that gave them away, though? That was easy enough to distinguish. They were not of this world. The unfamiliar made its way into the otherwise perpetual forest. However, a bigger problem was in the here and now. It was staring right at her.

A pair of vaguely illuminated eyes hovered nearly three meters above her own head. To the adapted eye, one could make out a large span of leathery brown hide. Wet fluids drizzled from above, denoting the signs of a hungry vessel. Dathomir knew no beast more intimidating, and this rancor was enraged by something unnatural nearby.

Walker Matsu Xiangu Ladybug Darth crihl

 

[Walker]

As he continued, he couldn't help but feel like he wasn't alone. The details were hard to determine, but he was growing quite certain he wasn't the only sentient, nor force sensitive, present. And it was those presences that guided his hand to the creation in the satchel. With all of the thickness of the force here, which he only occasionally had to deal with outside of his own making, it was problematic to determine things. He focused on the item in the satchel, using the force to guide his mind to it, which it sent back to him with focus and clarity, guiding himself through the forest towards a location. He didn't intend to use it the entire time, the focus he derived from it meant moving around was a frustration and so he only wanted to use it when needed. That, and it along with having two presences in the force, one simply himself and the other the force organ he possessed, made him usually stand out like a sore thumb for most trained force users awareness. He somewhat hoped the presence of the force on the planet might help obscure his own.

The closer he grew, the more he felt things. Yes, most certainly another living being with the force, more than one even. Though he still had yet to pinpoint or lay eyes on them. As he moved, he eventually removed his hand from the inside of the satchel, and returned to his normal ways, if a little hesitant so his attention was not all within the force.

Ah, a figure. Eventually he managed to catch sight of Siel'shii Velthra . Well, this was progress. Yet, he felt more than one. And not all in the same place. So surely this wasn't the end? Unless it was a trick of Dathomir itself, he had heard the witches were capable of illusions. Then again, he wasn't particularly excited to simply let himself slip up again. He kept his ears and eyes open, moving slowly himself while hoping to feel any warnings of danger oncoming.

Then he paused, from where he was even he could see eyes. Oh...Rancor. Well, if only we had met in preparation you could prove useful. He wasn't exactly pleased at the thought of dealing with a rancor, but he was hoping he wasn't the one it had its attention on. The woman below it, strangely clothed for the situation, might be a more preferable target for it. Of course, if she looked useful he considered aiding, but right now, he wanted to observe, and keep himself out of the line of fire until it was convenient to do otherwise. Whoever else was here, he didn't want them sneaking up on him while he tried to converse with someone. Nor did he want to call to them and gain the attention of the massive beast. So he stood still, listened, watched, and felt.


Equipment on person:
The Generator (in satchel)
Blaster pistol
Cursed-blade

Siel'shii Velthra Darth crihl Ladybug Matsu Xiangu

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

As awe-inspiring and dangerous as a Dathomiri ruin was, Matsu couldn’t say she was surprised to break one of the treelines and find the ancient behemoth sleeping in front of her. Places like this were lodestones, drawing those who could tap in to the Force whether they knew it or not. Certainly a ruin hadn’t been her goal when she’d landed on this planet but if she’d learned anything in her years it was that she shouldn’t refuse the whims of the galaxy when placed in front of her.

The urge to explore it, to know what lay inside and what use it could serve, was not her own. She’d never been interested in such things. But the infant inside her…

...would have to wait to satisfy its curiosity as the source of the roaring she’d heard became apparent. It had been a long time since she'd seen a rancor, and they’d become no less impressive. It glistened in the moonlight in the grotesque way all of its kind seemed to, drool slavering down in strings that reached the ground at its feet. Where it not for the presence in the Force of the woman standing practically underneath it, Matsu might have missed her in the tableau. Being who she was, it was impossible not to notice what the younger woman was wearing even from this distance. Hmm, now that was nice… Perhaps she’d be interesting enough to be worth helping.

Reaching out with her mind towards the stranger, she spoke telepathically as gently as she could to not prove too startling. Of course, there was no guarantee she would be heard: some species were naturally immune to mentalism, and some people had practiced long enough to resist though few had practiced longer than Matsu had to intrude. But this was not meant as an invasion, merely a helping hand since she could feel the other woman’s presence in the Force.

“Convince it you aren’t there...soothe it’s mind…”

Animal’s brains were different, their feelings and motivations too alien to manipulate with the same dexterity. But they could be convinced to move on, or at least long enough to buy time. Matsu reached out to the rancor with the weight of her power, impressing upon it that greater prey lay elsewhere, somewhere far from here, as she slowly moved forward along the front wall of the ruins. Whether it would work, with a rancor, was always a gamble.

Siel'shii Velthra | Walker | Ladybug | Darth crihl​

 

[Ladybug]

Mikilanna Mihaly (Darth Kauhu)
Overseer of Science Development, Knight Warden of the Shroud

Location: Dathomir, Fringe of the Ancient Ruins
Equipment: Dark Blessings of Kuolema / Varjokävely
Ship: Aries XIII
Tags: Matsu Xiangu / Walker / Siel'shii Velthra / Darth crihl

Standing before the ancient, jungled grove under the spell of it's darkened beauty, the whole scene was breathtaking; and not just the aura of macabre associated with the grove. The thorn infused vines, a mixture of withering brown and a red-like tinge, seemed liked a floral tomb encasing it's secrets. The numerous stages of decomposing creatures impaled on theses thorns acted like a warning; 'none shall pass'. The vines on occasion would sway, whether by the unseen force of wind or by an unnatural motion within the vines themselves was unknown, but the dead things attached to the vines danced like stars in a horrific puppet show. And the dark side was strong here. All throughout the galaxy there were places that held a strong connection to one aspect of the Force; and in the absence of the darkside's counterpart to act as a balance, this grove and by proxy the ruins it held within was powerfully charged with it.

The vines would pose no real threat, a simple matter of cutting and slashing. She wondered how the original samples had found themselves to her institute, clearly there should be some remnants of those that came before her. A theory manifested deep inside her. Removing one hilt from her belt, she ignited it and cutaway a small section of vines. To her surprise, and a theory now proved accurate, the vines began to wiggle and regrow within a few passing seconds. Cutting through this mass was going to be difficult. She was grateful she packed light.

The painstaking task of moving through the tightening vines complete, Mikilanna stepped out into a clearing where three disastrous buildings stood erect like a powerful triumvirate; ready to cast down their votes of judgement to any who dared molest their inner sanctums with a swift sentence of a painful death. The troubling feeling displayed before the Felacat was the various decrepit armored exoskeletons of bane back spiders that colorfully decorated the landscape to the ruins. To her knowledge, not many predators went after these arachnids due to their venomous disposition. If something more ruthless and dangerous was making a feast of them, then she would need to tread carefully. And what else was lurking about, around, and inside the buildings themselves?

 

[Darth crihl]

Equipment: Lightsaber, ship

As crihl made his way through the forest he couldn't nudge the feeling of something big and terrifying within the area. At least he was armed and the planet was heavily saturated in the darkside so he was sure whatever it was he could handle it as he walked closer to the ruins the foliage failing to snag on his black and red clothing. He felt three other presences within and around the clearing having centuries of practice picking out presences in dense force areas.

He would keep track of those who would want to stay hidden but would not do or say anything towards them unless they initiated something. Or something else came up as he walked into the clearing he saw the rancor staying hidden but ready to spring into action at a moments notice if needed. The ancient sangnir could deal with the rancor if battle was needed perhaps they would owe him a favor or two for doing it his primary objective was the ruins at the moment. Seeing as how they might have teachings within them on dathomiri witch teachings he didn't know or some of those crystals he kept hearing about or maybe something more valuable.

If he had brought a larger ship he'd consider using the force to domesticate the beast and then using alchemy to make it stronger but he didn't there would be more rancors later. And he could always come back and get a few wild ones or any of the other planets they where on. Watching how the interaction whent he waited and watched.

Walker Siel'shii Velthra Ladybug Matsu Xiangu

 

[Siel'shii Velthra]

All eyes were on Siel'shii, whether she knew it or not. The woman was weaponless and ill equipped to deal with the threat staring her down. That fact was apparently lost on her, as her figure remained relatively unmoving. It was an odd reaction, considering the circumstances. The creatures of the forest often left her be, and Siel'shii returned the favor. Often, she would find herself in the position of a silent observer. At other times, she acted as though she was a part of the forest itself. At the end of the day, this rancor was no different in measure, or so she thought.

An unfamiliar voice penetrated her unguarded mind. It was not clear whether or not it was one of her own imagination, or something more. In truth, that mattered little in the moment.

Cloaking herself from the beast would be no easy task. The first thoughts that came to Siel'shii's mind were those of her original prey, the creature she had been studying for some time now. It was an impressive hunter, blending itself into the dark of the night. The woman made a simple gesture, her hand glided across the breadth of her form. Concentrating on the idea of her target's methods did the trick, as the Force cloaked her presence from the rancor.

Calming the beast would just as difficult, if not more than cloaking herself. The added concentration did her no favors. In the past, the rancors of Dathomir had been trained to be ridden. It was a unique skill, but one Siel'shii had not acquired. Her connection to the wilds was still developing, and still largely untamed. The witch's mind expanded outwards, reaching into the beast's own. There was something out of place there. An incomprehensible rage that by all accounts should not exist. Something other than instinct was compelling the rancor's actions. The dark side of the Force was known to corrupt, to taint the areas it touched. And, there was a notable source nearby, inside the ruins.

There was a crunch beneath her feet, as Siel'shii slowly stepped away. It could have been something as little of a snap of a twig, but the one sound coupled with the touch of her mind was enough to set the beast loose. A thunderous roar erupted within the forest tonight, reaching for miles. Her presence may have been hidden for now, but that wouldn't stop the rancor from seeking its next victim.


Walker Matsu Xiangu Ladybug Darth crihl

 

[Walker]

He watched, he felt, and he waited. There were others near, he knew that much. So he didn't let himself get too absorbed in the mess. However, he could sense things changing. Sense a shift in the interactions of the beast and the woman, mostly on the beasts end. Their minds were vague and weak, but he was used to reading and influencing the minds of his own beasts so it was not new to him.

Walker tilted his head as its attention dropped from the woman. And then he heard a simple crunch of the ground, and the beasts mind go awry. Well...that's not ideal. He admitted. His body was launched to the side behind a tree and ground, sticks, and leaves erupted encasing him beneath them to hide himself from the creature. If he used the Generator he doubted he'd have an issue with the beast, but he didn't want to chance it. Move to this location I'm sending you. If need be, you may be required to shoot down a rancor. Activate the cloaking device and keep your distance. But be ready if I tell you. His thoughts reached out into the mind of Kot Vind aboard the Persistence, which cloaked itself to eyes and sensors before traveling into the atmosphere again to the location specified. Watching from a distance and waiting further instruction while keeping an eye out for his own dangers, though he doubted anyone was on the look out for the ship.

Meanwhile, Walker took in a breath. And reached into the satchel. His mind focusing in on the device within. And then seeming to leave his very body to open itself up to the world around him. Sight by the eyes, and sound by the ears, was no longer necessary as he searched through the force to those around him. Reaching out, he did not know that already another telepath had spoken to Siel'shii Velthra . His telepathy was not so masterful as that. But his thoughts weren't aimed at just her, they sought to reach any mind he could sense around him, that was capable of thought above instinct like the rancors.

Pride was a difficult thing for him to get rid of. A wiser man, with the same poor sense of morals, might have kept silent if he didn't want to involve himself. But his curiosity was his drive, and amusement just a little less. "A fascinating being, yes? Rancor's are such powerful beasts. Fun to see how quickly someone can warp their minds, apparently. Good job at that whoever you are, wish it were so easy for me. But subtlety I guess just isn't my strong-suit. On that note, I could have the creature killed so we can speak. I'd love to ask some questions, perhaps make some trades. Could prove profitable if we all have something. I'll listen, should you open your thoughts to me."

The voice was not as discreet as that of Matsu Xiangu . To the senses at least it more likely sounded like someone outright speaking. However, Walkers skill in telepathy was not yet so masterful as to force his thoughts into a mind protected against it. Especially when trying to send it to so many. Animals were easy en masse, their minds all too similar to each other and lacking the capabilities that intelligent minds had. The same went for reading, he would listen, attempting to hear anything at the forefront of their thoughts. But some even non force users already knew tricks to hide their thoughts from others, so that was itself also not a certainty.

While he waited, he did keep a sense out for that rancor. Hoping his hiding spot would be sufficient. If it wasn't, Kot was waiting with the ship quite ready to fire away.

Equipment on person:
The Generator (in satchel)
Blaster pistol
Cursed-blade

Darth crihl Ladybug

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

For a moment, all seemed well. She steadied herself against the temple ruins as she edged closer, her mind warping against the edges of the rancor’s. It was influenced by something familiar and alien all at once, a source of power lying in weight in the ruins. Now, she didn’t need the mind of the adventurous son in her belly to want to figure out what that was…

But it would have to wait. The rancor howled in anger and confusion, stringy drool whipping through the air as it searched out the source of the branch snapping. It started stomping through the clearing, its long arms swinging dangerously in every direction as it clawed and tore at the ground in manic frustration. Too many things picking at its simple sanity, its idea of order and nature.

Matsu experienced others attempting to speak with her telepathically as almost a knock at the door, one she could open if she wished and usually she did. This one was interesting, connected to some alchemical mechanism that had the infant within her nearly doing somersaults in curiosity. Matsu didn’t have anything immediate to trade but that could be sorted out later. The Rancor was now raking its arms over the ground, tearing up the forest floor and pulling tree roots up in its frenzied strength. Though it couldn’t see the younger woman, the dark-sided touch on its mind made it so hungry for whatever it had just heard, and each swipe of its massive appendages brought it dangerously close to swatting Siel'shii Velthra in to the nearest tree.

And closer to Matsu.

“If you’ve got a way to kill it, better do it fast. I’ll answer whatever you want then,” she answered, directly towards whomever had spoken.​

Matsu concentrated fully on the rancor, creating an illusion of the young woman that exploded in to the dozens before the rancor’s eyes. Copies of the long black garment the woman was wearing danced enticingly, begging the creature to chase them and not the real thing, to buy time and let the real stranger hopefully get some distance. This however was no mentalist’s trick, but sorcery, making these illusions as real as Siel’shii herself should the woman brush up against one. Anyone with a view of the clearing would see twelve identical, fleeing morsels of enticing prey for the rancor.

Walker | Ladybug | Darth crihl​

 

[Ladybug]

Mikilanna Mihaly (Darth Kauhu)
Overseer of Science Development, Knight Warden of the Shroud

Location: Dathomir, Fringe of the Ancient Ruins
Equipment: Dark Blessings of Kuolema / Varjokävely
Ship: Aries XIII
Tags: Matsu Xiangu / Walker / Siel'shii Velthra / Darth crihl

Crunching under her boots, the broken skeletal remains of spiders echoed throughout the deadly silent grove; threatening to alert her presence to slumbering creatures, adversaries, or minor annoyances. Vigilantly, she trampled through the graveyard toward the closest structure, situated on her left, whilst reading her notes regarding the plants from her personal datapad, Whistler XIII, aware she was being watched with extreme interest. She didn't have time for setbacks, or aggressive negotiations with the local fauna, feeling a tinge of annoyance at being visually pursued.

A second after placing her right foot upon the first of several cracked stairs leading up into the ancient structure, a low and menacing growl emerged behind her; the fiend finally revealing itself as it charged her optimizing ambush tactics. Glancing over her left shoulder, she watched with keen interest as a Nydak rushed toward her, clearly with only one thought coursing through it's brutish mind. The beast's mind was primal, but weak willed and could be easily manipulated. In the very few seconds before the beast was upon her, thrusting her into a battle of survival, Mikilanna had three options available in which to deal with the threat.

The first option, and the most voted upon reaction, would be to simply draw her blades and cut-down the lumbering creature. As much as this pleased her, she didn't want to risk more exposure of herself than necessary by powering up her twin hilts. The crystals inside, personally created by herself using rituals and nefarious acts, possessed both positive and negative applications, and one such positive trait was it masked her Force signature; making her invisible in the Force. She was forced earlier to use one to chop through the vines, already possibly attracting undue attention. Quickly, she discarded this option.

Option two, and possibly a challenge she craved, was to shift into her massive cat form. As a battle cat, she was more than a match for this Nydak. The two would clash with thunderous results, swiping and snapping powerful jaws at one another; until on laid on the ground, bleeding, being consumed by the victor. However, she already ate and the thought of overeating, even if to sate her curiosity of what Nydak meat tasted like, was not wholly appealing. Besides, the freshly killed beast's carcass would only act as a beacon to other predators and scavengers; complicating matters later. Option two was nixed.

Settling on option three, she invaded the beast's mind, quickly penetrating it where she struck with glorious perfection. Illusions were a powerful weapon, and even more powerful on the lesser willed; regardless of their mental fortitude. Gripping the mind of her foe, she began dispersing images that increased the number of her being; multiplying the number of bodies substantially in the mind of the Nydak. The Nydak, slowed it's advance considerably, noting it was outnumbered severely. As predicted, the beast began to backtrack whilst it's eyes darted back and forth between the illusionary phantoms, before turning and fleeing.

And now with the threat subdued, she entered the first structure.

 

[Darth crihl]

Equipment: Lightsaber, ship
Tag: Matsu Xiangu Walker Siel'shii Velthra Ladybug

Darth crihl watching this all go down began walking into the clearing letting his massive darkside aura fully flood the area around him for all to feel. Drawing the rancors gaze as crihl stared it down the rancor gave a large roared and charged crihl somehow bypassing the two women between them almost as it viewed them as lesser prey as Darth crihl manipulated it's mind through the force to ignore all others as they couldn't deal with it.

The rancor Continued charging at crihl who remained unmoving staring it down as he fully reached out with his full might thru the force and brought it down to its knees as Darth crihl enslaved its mind to his own. Before he took out a Lightsaber and plunged the red blade and sunk it into the rancors head dropping it to the ground as he walked around cracking his old neck the sith pureblood looked at the two women "next time I see you two face to face with a hostile rancor I will let it eat you" he said coldly as he looked between them again "and you both have a lot to learn in the force" he said walking into the ruins.