Red Like Roses

[Ruby Wilded]

Another totally boring day in the urban jungle of Coronet. Ruby had exhausted her daily intake of video game violence. She couldn't spend all day cooped up in her room, or evening as it was now. The mom may or may not have send her away on some errands. The joys of being a care free, school free teen didn't always lead to fun. Ruby decided to slack on these responsibilities thrust upon her. They could be taken care of later. Its not like the grocery store is going to up and walk away... as cool as that would be. Mechanized grocery stores floated about her imagination as she walked along the duracrete wall with nary a care of falling. A three foot fall wouldn't do much damage anyways. If she did; Ruby had pretty good balance.

The sky above was a mix of orange and pink hues reflecting off the clouds. Ruby stopped to look up and admire them. "Well, one of the good things about Coronet, it does have great sunsets". Ruby stood there for the duration of the sun's setting. After it was over a shiver crawled up her spine. It was one of those sixth sense feelings. Her eyes scanned about the area from her short perch. There was a plaza just across the street filled with people busy getting home from work or wherever. Ruby had often noted weirdly dressed people after this feeling. Well not all weird but not dressed like the locals usually. Someone was out there, and it'd be fun to pick them out.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Ah Corellia. Krest had never once been on the planet, yet here he was today, dressed in his typical armor. Which... Did little to blend in. But as he moved about the crowd he couldn't help but smile. The place was up and about, people walking by people, conversing in the streets with friends, helping a loved one sit down at a local cafe. It was beautiful, just a nice general feel all around. He wasn't even bothering to scan the area for any larger force sigantures. No, this was his vacation.

Mostly. Naturally he had his lightsaber and gauntlet, but otherwise he was here to just.. Relax.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

"I'm gona find ya soon". Ruby stuck out an arm as her eyes looked all over for the stranger. There were a lot of folks wearing greys and blacks, along with whites and blues. Normal city colors as she knew them. She made droid noises as her arm tracked about in an imitating manner to the robotic humanoids. Someone stuck out of the crowd for a split second, a flash of reds and purple. "I think I....". It took a few seconds for her to lock onto the target again. "Gotcha! No one escapes the sharp eyes of Ruby Wilded". This made some thirty times she'd picked out a stranger like this. Ruby smiled away at her success for a moment and dropped her arm to rest. She herself stuck out like a sore thumb atop her wall. Hard to miss someone with a bright red cape with a black outfit. He had to of seen her, not that she was worried about that.

Ruby's fun in the hunt was soured when she noticed a few CorSec officers shuffling through the crowd towards Krest. Red skinned people were commonly thought of as Sith. Thinking hard a moment about options, she decided she'd help the stranger no mater who he was. Ruby jumped down from the wall and made haste into the crowded plaza.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

Krest stood beside a blacksmith stall, browsing the small knives that were offered. Each was hand crafted, but no larger then his own hand. It was clear he had no intention of buying one of the daggers though he did have his conversation with the smith. He loved smithing after all, and it was with a smile he would chat about the work that went in. The metal type, the heat, the like.

He had no idea he was about to get arrested for being red. His hands rested on top of his head, the red skin plain to see. And the gauntlet. It looked more threatening then it really was, but that wasn't going to help his case if he was caught.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

Ruby moved blindingly fast through the crowds of people. Like the wind she twisted and turned; footwork pushing off at the right time to sidestep someone. This was her rudimentary use of Force Speed. No one had taught her but herself. Perhaps the girl had been overlooked by other practitioners thus far, or simply missed. She had heard of the ability of some to manipulate some mysterious energy. Ruby never thought herself to be among them. This was The Zone to her. A place where all focus was used to push herself to great physical feats. That was her own explanation. And it made sense to her that after exerting herself for some time she was always starving afterwards.

Her boots slid to a stop slightly behind the red man. Cape whipping up but catching on the stall. Ruby tapped his shoulder with a finger to gather his attention. "Excuse me. A bunch of CorSec guys are about to cause you some trouble. I suggest you get out of here if you want to avoid it". She flashed a genuine smile before turning face out to the crowd.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"]

Despite the fact that Krest had not been actively searching for a force signature, it was hard for him to ignore the one coming st him at high speeds. A hand slowly went down to the hilt of his blade, the red fingers slowly curling around the leather as she came close. An assassin was in his head, someone sent to end his life. Thousands of thoughts went through his head as he turned upon the tapping of his shoulder and..

There was a girl. In a red cloak. Talking to him. He blinked rather slowly before nodding along, simply dumbfounded. She wasn't an assassin, just a friendly person letting him know he was about to be arrested. Wait. Arrested. Without a word he would pick the girl up, and suddenly take off at a much faster speed as the guards came into view. One pulled a gun, but he was gone by that point.

To the outskirts of the city he went, Ruby on his shoulder. Once away from the crowd he would set her down, letting out a sigh.

"This was suppose to be my vacation.." He mumbled to himself, completely forgetting that he basically just kidnapped a child and ran from armed guards.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

A great big bwah escaped past her lips as the stranger picked her up. The thought that the police were going for him may have good reason to be popped into her head. This guy could be a real criminal and now she was a hostage! There was a lot of cursing and hollering as she was sped away unable to escape on Krests shoulder. Those CorSec guys were lost in about five seconds bu they did try and make a move. More profanic words were said as he stole her away to the edge of town, she also took note of just how fast this guy was. He was way quicker than her and she could out run anybody.

"Let me down you red skinned freaky alien sicko". Ruby grabbed hold of his loose head wrapping and started yanking his head around. He wouldn't be able to run to well being disoriented by this. The body relied on the head for balance and direction and snaking it around was going to be detrimental to running.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

He blinked a bit. Mostly because the world suddenly titled. The yank on his head sent Krest into a tumble, he dropping [member="Ruby Wilded"] as he would speed away into a roll, only to end up crashing into a wall. He'd be upside down, his shoulders resting on the ground. The Zabrak would not move, rather keep his eyes up ag the sky. It seemed to be spinning.

Ah dam it..

What ever plans he had for the day certainly went out the window. Rolling himself into a sitting position, he'd glance around for the girl, anger plane on his face. But it wasn't a scary anger. If anything, he was annoyed.

"Why would you to that!? We could of gotten seriously hurt damnit! And why would you go poke strangers! Come on kid!"

 

[Ruby Wilded]

Ruby was laid out flat from the fall. With a groan she rolled over on her back and felt every bruise and bump the ground gave. Her left knee also stung like heck, scrapped up from the roll. Nothing overly bad like a broken arm, just a little first aid, a lolly pop, and she'd be fine.

"Why would you to that!? We could of gotten seriously hurt damnit! And why would you go poke strangers! Come on kid!"

Awareness restored as the stranger started scolding her. "You kidnapped me! And you wouldn't listen for all I was yelling at you. I just tried to help you not get in trouble cause I had some sixth sense I should. You deserve this though. Mean jerks who kidnap little girls do". Ruby pulled herself up and checked her knee. A bit of blood and torn up skin. She applied pressure to try and dull the pain as it was all she could do for now. Silver eyes then took a look to her would be captor. He didn't look happy. Ruby gave him a mean look back. Today was just getting suckier as it went.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"] would still see the angry look. And Krest even went to say something back before he stopped. Kidnapped? He slowly blinked as he tried to process what exactly he had done. He got a warning, took off with the girl, and is now no where he knew. He'd go into a cross legged position, resting his chin on his fist as he thought quietly to himself. This was a big deal, he could get in some major trouble now. And then there were the guards he fled from. Would they call it in and follow? Probablyll think of the girl as a hostage..

"Right, well. I'm Krest. Thanks for the warning, we should probably part ways aye?" He got up slowly. At least this way he could reduce his sentence should he get caught. "Sorry bout that. Instant reaction kind of thing.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

"I don't think an apology is going to cut it... Krest". Ruby jumped up, stumbling a step sideways as her knee launched protest. She wasn't some super tough space hero; yet. Just a young girl after all. "Oww. Stupid... Well my name is Ruby, and I'd say you owe me for the kidnapping. Taking me miles from where we were. And making me hurt myself". Ruby stood up straight as she could, and put on as much authority too as could be mustered. Taking steps towards Krest with no fear in her now that he seemed more a fool now than a danger. Ruby took notice of his sword. A knightly fool. "So why don't you start by taking me back near where we were. I've no idea where you took us and its getting dark. You're not going to leave the distressed girl to fend for herself now are you. Or will the swordsman lose all his honor"?

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"]

Krest opened his mouth immediately to retort, still rather annoyed. He wasn't some taxi for the girl to use. And when did she think she was the boss in this situation. But before a single word came out of his mouth he realized something. She was right. With a slight pout he'd close his mouth, moving to stand up. He didn't exactly know where they were, and with the tumble he lost all sense of direction. But he did owe it to her to fix her problem.

It was then he sighed, resting a hand on the hilt of his blade.

"Ruby, I dunno where we are, and I don't know this city enough to find my way around. But I'll walk with ya till we find a place you at least know. Deal?" He stuck out a hand then, nodding once. It was the best he could do in the situation after all.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

"Your... a weirdly unique and kinda useless person you know that". Ruby stood ahead of the man now, more than a head shorter too. Looking up after taking grasp of his hand. "I'm glad you're going to help right your wrong though. Coronet isn't a nice place at night. So yah, deal". The two shook hands on their agreement. Ruby smiled away like everything was right again in the world. She took back her hand and flew round to see where they'd go. The sun was lower than the buildings now, tinting the sky pink and orange. "We came from this way, so I guess it will take us in the right direction. Ohh, and uhhm". Ruby looked downwards to the pavement. "I hope I didn't hurt you and what not. And you're not going to stay mad at me".

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"]

Krest pouted at being called useless. Grant it, he really was in this situation, but he wasn't completely useless, right? His pout faded as he seriously contemplated the idea for a moment or two. But once she took ahold of his hand he came out of it, nodding once to her. At least she agreed. And now she was able to figure out where they came from! A faint smile formed on his face, nodding once. A set destination! He would move off in the direction, only to stop dead as she spoke that last bit.

Without turning to face her, he'd answer, a smile still on his face. "Ya gotta do more then that to seriously hurt me. And no, I'm not mad at ya."

 

[Ruby Wilded]

Quick as lightning Ruby's face brightened up again, joined by a white smile. "Well I'm glad for both". Happilly she walked with Krest for some time in the general direction of home. On the look out for some familiar building or landmark to guide them. It would be easier if they could take a lev train but they didn't run in this direction. It began to get rather tedious, the silence between the two for her so she posed a question for the Zabrak. "So... Are you a Jedi"? A curious tone of voice inquired.

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"]

"Oddly enough, no. I'm.. Welp. I guess I'm just a rouge now, technically nothing." A sad smile formed over his lips as he spoke. In reality he was indeed nothing. No longer did he command great armies, no longer did he fight for something. During this time he was simply a Grey, someone who taught with no real authority.

His gaze would turn as he looked about the area, thinking mostly to himself. The girl had a signature, that much he knew. She also could use the force, but to what extent did she know? Did she even know what the force was? Usually, these were questions he would ask, but he had already kidnapped her. He did not want to look even crazier by spouting talk of magics.

"How old are you anyway?"

 

[Ruby Wilded]

"So you follow your own path. That's better I think". Ruby really knew nothing about the background of the Jedi and Sith. She had a black and white view of them as good and evil religious folks. No god or power held sway over her though, she was her own person and she knew that. Ruby jumped up on a planter as they strolled along. She didn't watch her feet nor held out her arms for balance. Her legs knew what to do.

Krest started his own questioning. He'd find out for every answer she'd just have her own question to shoot back. "I'm 15 and two months on the day. How old are you Krest"? Ruby jumped from one planter to the next with as ease as walking on them was.

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Ruby Wilded"]

"I believe twenty six or seven. I don't celebrate birthdays or the like, so I don't actually know." There was more to it than that. Born from an experiment, he was never actually given a date. He knows he remembers at least twenty years, so he's something around that. But she was only fifteen. Odd, to him at least. She was moving rather quick for one so young. It suggest a natural bond with the Force.

"How do you move so fast?"

Let the twenty questions begin.

 

[Ruby Wilded]

"You don't celebrate birthdays. But they're the best. You get cake, and presents and do all kinds of fun stuff". Ruby continued on her fancy walking. Alon with pratteling on about how awesome birthdays were. That was until Krest asked her another question that forced her to stop. The metaphorical cat was out of the bag. Only she just realized it today that it was a cat after all. "Because I'm like you Krest. I just figured that out". Ruby dropped back down to the side walk. Her stomach felt like it had butterflies. Ones of both curiosity and fear. "I... I can run way faster than anyone. So fast I'm a blur. And I get feelings off some people. Kind of like a sixth sense. That's how I found you in that market. Well you cloths gave you away actually. I'm sure you know what I mean". Ruby sat to rest on the planters edge. Her fingers fidgeted with one another in a mild display of anxiety. "Its really weird figuring something like this about yourself. Years of wondering why you were the freak. Now... I guess its kind of uhh. Do I accept it.... or".

[member="Krest"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Well, [member="Ruby Wilded"] , even if you don't accept it, it will always be a part of you. It's called the Force however, a presence within all in this galaxy. It can do more then just make you fast or strong. Infact, the uses are as endless as your imagination, and your training to make it so." A bit of an exaggeration, but mostly the truth. The Force could pretty much do anything, so long as you were strong enough in it to make it so. "But, training is what helps you from using it the wrong way. It can hurt those around you if unchecked." His voice was level, but there was a serious undertone to his words. His gaze would be ahead as he kept walking. "So, you can, if you choose to, ignore it and hope your emotions don't run so far that you end up harming someone, or you can learn how to control it and even protect those you care about."