Private Orphiad: The Resurrection of S.

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Ashin was striking camp, had all but slung her rifle over her shoulder, when Noelle and two companions came in through the brush stockade.

"Typhojem's left nut, girl, you made it. I was hoping you'd catch up."

A dozen other Darksiders were packing up as well or standing ready. Down by the shore, a ferryman stood waiting at the head of a large and claw-marked boat. A second ferryman had joined him - the one who'd brought the new arrivals. Ashin sheathed Dissero's Waythorne beside the much larger sword Entropy, which she'd borrowed from him and promised to return. The little dagger gave her a steady course now that she understood its use.

"You heard my call - I'm bound for the Dreaming Dark. Between using the throne and the Waythorne, I'm certain it's where Spencer is." Ashin's gaze flicked over Kal and Arcturus Dinn . "Your friend escaped your trap, I see."

She could feel another presence drawing closer - Sargon Vynea , the best possible companion on this errand. She caught a glimpse of insight or vision: Sargon on a ferryman's boat. That made three boats and three ferrymen. The agreement stood.

"Everyone into the boats," she called to the rest of the camp.

​

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

Though the shade spoke, quietly enough that they did not disturb the girl who was lost in thought and filled with determination, Thesh found himself sinking into a silent state. He acknowledged what had been said with a mere nod of his head, yet his focus was on the river about them. They seemed to move languidly through it, and though the Netherworld passed them by swiftly, upon the boat itself it seemed as though they were slow, crawling...​

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The sensation was not one he much liked. Eventually he closed his eyes just to keep from noticing it at all, and allowed the journey to go on around him. Around them. He was not alone in this place any longer.​

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How long exactly it took for them to reach their destination, he did not know. But soon the boat rocked as it came to a stop by new shores, and the trio disembarked. He tipped his head in thanks toward the ferry master and joined the pair on solid ground. They had arrived at a camp, and there were others there.​

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Primary among them was the girl's mother. No, one of her mothers if the shade was to be believed. He stood a little awkwardly at Noelle's back, a relative fly on the wall who wished not to impede their reunion. The older woman seemed both relieved and surprised to see her daughter, using quite the colourful vocabulary. Beyond her, several others lingered - going about their business.​

​

He said nothing as the order to embark the boats was given, simply nodding once and glancing to girl and shade. Though their journey together had not been long, just the length of the river which in truth had felt unending, he felt compelled to follow them still. So he did, he chose the same boat as they and sat in quiet contemplation.​

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That haunting voice was quieter now. Still present, but... calmer? It reinforced the idea that this was where he was supposed to be. How strange, he thought, that he should be pulled through from Korriban on such an errant mission. To find a woman he did not even know. He could only hope that at least one among them knew of a way back out. He would hate to be lost to the Netherworld...​

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Kal Noelle Varanin Ashin Cardé Varanin Sargon Vynea ​

 

[Kal]

At this point, the wise choice would be to slide back into the shadows and leave them to their folly - but he had to admit that he and his associates were curious about the contents of the breach they were about to enter. Bringing such manpower and expertise was a rare opportunity. Moreover, despite her numerous well-catalogued character flaws, he'd really rather Noelle not get eaten. Hardly to the point of self-sacrifice, but still.

"She let me out, actually - though I would have escaped eventually." Given how fond the Echani had been of dropping his prison, she might very well have broken it eventually. Either that or he would have amassed enough leeway to sway a guard or a servant, or perhaps contact others of his kind.

Eying the boats somewhat dubiously, he nonetheless remained where he was, for now. The Dreaming Dark was dangerous, but with so many Sith and their loud presences nearby, he should not draw too much attention from the residents of that cursed place.

Hopefully, anyway.

Noelle Varanin | Arcturus Dinn | Ashin Cardé Varanin | Sargon Vynea | Kaalia Pavanos​

 

[Noelle Varanin]

Noelle raised a silent brow at Kal.

He would not have.

The unfortunate twist to her first binding attempt was that Kal was privy to more than a fair share of her inner whims. Binding him to a soul stone... binding him to her soul... was just one word different on paper than in execution. Releasing him from it had done little to dampen the intrusion, particularly when close to each other.

Normally, it was infuriating, but she took satisfaction that her mental quip would have been soundly delivered, no effort exerted on her behalf.

He very much would not have escaped her trap.

Her frustration with Ashin fell to the distant wayside, her choice words about promises and upholding them also feeling like a waste of energy now that she had made it to her mother's side. Here, at last, her stressed decreased noticeably.

She slipped onto the boat, carefully holding the edges of a ravaged dress out of the water. Needless to say, she had not taken time to change. As she settled, she looked to the man that had been accompanying them for some time. "...What is your name?" She finally asked Arcturus Dinn .

 

[Arcturus Dinn]

The boat rocked as each embarked.​

​

For one not so used to traveling upon a river he felt his stomach lurch with the motion, and forced himself to inhale a large amount of air into his lungs in order to hasten away the sensation. Said air was difficult to swallow, it was becoming more stagnant, more thick by the second, though whether that was all in his head was hard to tell.​

​

Having come from the Spire, and known only it and the River, this newer section of the Netherworld was far more foreboding. The sense of dread it perpetuated felt ever present, and though no stranger to the presence of darkness, that haunting melody he heard whenever he submerged himself in the Force, it seemed different here. More tangible and oppressive than it had even when he'd found himself stuck on the edge of the Galaxy, alone and hunted.​

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The girl's words helped to draw him back from the brink of it though.​

​

He blinked once, expression revealing his confusion to the question before he realized that he had simply forgotten to introduce himself upon the riverbank earlier. He shook his head, mentally chastising himself.​

​

"Thesh. I'm Thesh. And you are?"​

​

He looked between girl and shade both as he asked his inquiry. It was a good distraction, if nothing else.​

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Noelle Varanin Kal Ashin Cardé Varanin Sargon Vynea ​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Flying along the river, Kaalia found the boats right as they departed. Her wings adjusted their angle, allowing the woman to swoop towards them. After scoping out places by herself, Ashin had now found the exact location and as such Kaalia rejoined the rest of the group. There were even more people, now. Faces she hadn't seen before. She was relieved to see it, for the Dreaming Dark wouldn't be kind. There was strength in numbers.

"Greetings," Kaalia's ghostly voice sounded as she approached. Her attention briefly turned towards Ashin, and she nodded. "Apologies for the delay," she spoke as she carefully landed in one of the boats, her wings folding and dissipating. There was no point in expending energy now, when the Dreaming Dark awaited.

Glowing eyes swept across the boats, taking inventory of the diverse collection of people who had gathered. Except for Ashin, she had never seen them before, but that didn't matter. They had a common goal and it would keep them together for as long as it was necessary.

"Let's bring her home."

Ashin Cardé Varanin | Noelle Varanin | Arcturus Dinn | Kal | Sargon Vynea ​

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

OOC/ This story continues in Orphiad: Unto the Breach.

If you want to continue posting here with intermediate things, by all means go for it.