The Hermit

[Salvaje]

SETTING​

.Location: Outer Rim Territory | Svivreni Sector | Svivren System | Planet Svivren
.Class: Terrestrial
.Atmosphere: Type 1 | Breathable
.Climate: Temperate
.Gravity: Standard
.Primary Terrain: Mountains | Farmland | Urban

The Planet Svivren. Located in the Outer Rim Territories and home to the native species of Svivreni. The Planet itself is a part of the Five Veils trade Route making it an important HUB for imports and exports. Because of this the main Cities thrive with activity as all walks of life stream through the streets, merchants bartering their wares while vendors set up their stalls. One could buy almost anything from the famed market but like everywhere it came with a price. The Planet itself had lived through various conflicts and at one point society had been split at the equator as each half shared different views and ethics. But the prospect of credits healed all wounds.

On the outskirts of civilization there rested a large dense forest untouched by sentient beings, its frees and vegetation full with creatures of different natures both aggressive and passive. This forest was surrounded by a mountain ridge acting like a natural fortification with only limited points of entry. These entry points were scattered around the high rocky barrier in the form of caves and narrow walkways carved by migrating mountain animals. Alternatively one could reach the enclosed forest by airship though landing points were difficult due to the thick shrub. Because of the difficulty to enter such a place there was a certain aura of peace and tranquility that filled the air. In the midst of nature and vegetation rested a small shack skillfully made of from local materials. Large branches formed the structure, vines were used to bind them together. A mixture of mud, sap and clay acted as the walls and support while thick leaves and vegetation provided cover from the elements. Despite the inhabitants small size the shack was relatively large and could easily accommodate a Human of average build.

The day was young, the sun creeping over the distant mountain ranges giving the illusion of glowing rocks. Animals scattered throughout the forest in order to fulfill their need for sustenance through the various fauna and fruits or through fresh meat.

-----------------

It was time to get out of bed but the small creature struggled. He had been awake until early hours of the morning studying various holocrons, datapads and scrolls he had found in his travels, or had traded for from merchants or salvagers. His eyes were as heavy as durasteel, his muscles deprived of sleep making it harder for him to move his small body. Were it not for his obsession for knowledge he may have considered sleeping until he felt refreshed. But that was the price one paid for passion. Salvaje didn't need to get dressed, he had fallen asleep in his attire a few hours ago but his three clawed fingers ran through his long thin hair, pushing it out of his face and making himself somewhat respectable. He enjoyed the solace here but at times it could be lonely. One could only indulge in holocrons and datapads for so long before the mind begins to decay and play tricks on its host. But his bi monthly visits to the nearest town helped him retain some form of sanity, even though the journey to get there was long even with a means of transport. Although it was no speeder or ship his humble mounted nexu allowed Salvaje to travel with relative comfort.

His orange eyes looked above to clear skies, his eyes burrowing slightly. For a few days he had felt something.....uncomfortable, he could not explain the sensation as his understanding in the force was still limited. Blurred visions, whispers and tingles down his spine were the extent of his knowledge in premonition. He was still too untrained to make a distinct picture from all the confusion. Regardless his eyes slowly trailed back down to his shack.

 

[Lok Jorunn]

"Seriously, why do we even need these?"

"To keep your faces concealed and protect your identity."

One of the young men garbed in tactical gear grumbled as he slipped on a mask of his own. Today, Lok Jorunn was operating under the muse of a Jedi Peacekeeper. It used to be his profession prior to advancing into one of the more secretive occupations of the Jedi Order. He didn't operate under his real name and instead chose to be known as Saint. Although the name contrasted starkly with his usual black garb and knack for carrying weapons, nobody seemed to notice - or had enough courage to question the man about it in the first place.

"The first lesson of advanced law enforcement is to remain undetected and unknown. This is why you all have not even seen my voice nor know my true name." His cobalt eyes scoured over the little team of uniformed men and women alike. A few Svivren were among their ranks and stood proudly in service to their community.

Lok let his eyes linger upon them for a moment longer before speaking. "Dismissed. You know your patrol routes and duties. I shall be watching at all times."

A few of them nodded, others immediately got to whispering things to their partners and began getting their gear ready. As for Lok himself, he was going to be following Cresh team and their patrols near the outskirts of the city. Svivreni was a safe place and not many smugglers or criminals came here, but there was never 100% perfection in that aspect.

[member="Salvaje"]

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

Matsu was, by nature, an explorer. Her journey on her own had started when she’d left home to see more of the Galaxy and despite everything that had happened to her – even the responsibilities that came with Lordship and working for her old Master – she was still fascinated by everything around her, defined by her obsession with the unique, strange, and morbid. She would most likely never lose that wanderlust. So whenever she had some spare time – something that was happening less and less as of late – she made her way to a planet she hadn’t been to yet.

Svivren was in the Outer Rim, a place that she already spent most of her time, but she had a second motive. Its people were known for being highly skilled miners, and as a woman drawn to the finer things in life it only made sense to see if any of them could be persuaded to do her dirty work. They were an interesting looking people, one she hadn’t seen much of in the wider Galaxy. She didn’t think they had a particular xenophobic streak from the way they behaved around her and the fact that their planet was home to species besides their own, but regardless they were mostly unknown to her. A good number of them spoke Basic in varying degrees of proficiency and she listened absently as she walked through one of the smaller gatherings of housing looking for someone who looked vaguely helpful.

“No, I don’t think I’ll be doing that.”​

“Why not, he said he’d pay you well!”​

“Because, I have to walk right by where that hermit lives.”​

“Come on – he’s harmless. He stops down every once in a while, and then he leaves right after.”​

“Fine. FINE. But only if you come with me.”​

She found herself listening, for some reason or another, to the short argument with one ear though the idea of a hermit piqued her interest. Wouldn’t it be something to find some crazy old bat, maybe one who’d be open to letting her walk through his mind – practice ripping memories and taking them for her own. It was one of her new favorites ways to learn: take what didn’t belong to you. (Think of it as a service – some of these are painful, aren’t they?)

After a moment or two she followed behind the two equinoid creatures, far enough away they didn’t notice her and keeping her signature masked.

[member="Salvaje"] | [member="Lok Jorunn"]​

 

[Garza]

Oh of all the things that Saint could have done, It would have been acting like a soldier Jedi. Well, to give him some respect, he kind of was one already. Where I was one that used a majority of skills and abilities to overcome my job within the Shadows that both of us were apart of, He used gear and materialistic items to get his points across. Geared up somewhat like him, only I was in my own set. A cloak made to be reminiscent of dried blood, and the gore of war. Dulled down to be a darker color, it allowed me to blend into the shadows when needed. However, I just shook my head as I was loading up a shotgun of mine. Manually loading the scattershot rounds into the shotgun, the rhythmic click of the brass hitting the durasteel. It sounded almost like death was walking in the room.

All others were wearing their masks. I wore one as well. I had my own that I carried. looking kind of like a Mandalorian helmet, only instead of a t-shaped visor it was a simple line that went across my vision. The mask folded down under my chin to some degree, as well wrapping around to reach just slightly past the temples on the side of my head. It felt comfortable, but not too much to allow myself to fall asleep should I be on a stakeout. Shaking my head as "Saint" dismissed everyone, I slid the shotgun over my shoulder with a sling. The butt of the weapon over my right shoulder. Saint would be taking one end of the Fringes of the city, while I would be doing the entire city.

As much as I would have not liked to be in the same situation as Saint, I, Onix, wanted to stay on top of a high tower and watch everything from a distance. This peacekeeping job had it's up times, and it's downs. Currently, it was down. When everyone else, excluding myself, Saint, and Cresh team, was out of the room, I finally stood up. Nodding to my comrade, "Just don't trip. That would be a very sad way of showing others how well you perform." Saint was the Harbinger. The head master of the Shadows. I respected him for it, but I liked being a Jerk to others. I had to for my job. My real life was mixed up with being nice and kind to others. So here I would act different.

I walked past a few of the peacekeepers who were in my way. Pushing them out of the way just enough to let me through the door. Tapping on my ear from the outside of the hood, I could hear a small screech. And not a second later, I spoke softly into the communications device. My own group of men were ready. "Take position in your towers and buildings. Keep open eyes, and open minds." I heard four men, and one woman then speak out almost as one in the link that was encrypted between just the six of us.

"Yes Sir."

I huffed as I began to move into my own spot. Taking not the center, but closer towards the edge that the Cresh Team would be working in. Watching them, Xesh, and Vau Teams as well. I took the largest section of the six that were tasked to my group. Smirking as I went into the elevator On my way up to the top. Ready for my job set ahead of me. Speaking to myself.

"Peacekeeping. Sometimes a waste of time, others, The beginning of an adventure."

[member="Matsu Xiangu"], [member="Lok Jorunn"], [member="Salvaje"],

 

[Salvaje]

The Planet teemed with life. Sentients of numerous origins walked the Planets surface, congregated in masses and found in Cities which littered the globe. The wildlife was just as expansive as native and immigrated species roamed the forests, tundras, mountain ranges and plains in their struggle to survive. Because of this diversity in biology one could find it hard to find the hermit through detection but due to his isolation he has unwillingly separated himself from the dense network of life making him stick out like a flashing beacon. His large eyes closed behind blankets of skin as he allowed himself to take a deep breath. There was no substitute for clean fresh air, especially if they had tasted pollutions foul stench.

He could feel life passing through, beneath and over him as the Planets ecology ticked along like an unpredictable clock. But in the recess of his mind he could not help but notice the faint signature of something.....different, something more attuned than the other sentients whom roamed the streets of the nearby trading post. Although he aware, he was not fully trained to further seek these entities through means beyond his primary senses. But they were there. During his travels he had felt this sensation only a handful of times but only in the last few decades had he gone out of his way to avoid these individuals. They were dangerous, unpredictable and slaves to their emotions. But so was he. It was the reason for his solitude.

Had he finally been found? Were they intentionally seeking him or was it coincidence? That last thought created a somewhat sinister smile as he reflected the earliest years of his travels, particularly the discovery of old holocrons and datapads. There was a quote that contradicted his theory 'There are no coincidences, there is only the Force'. A pity he could not remember who it was.

[Member=Lok Juruun]
[Member=Matsu Xiangu]
[Member=Onix]

 

[Lok Jorunn]

From behind his charcoal-hued veil, Saint flashed a wry grin at the other shadow named [member="Onix"]. He so enjoyed being that cloaked diva that it made Lok laugh sometimes, but he knew who the real man was and respected him for everything he did. It was his job to know who he worked with, so he assumed the man knew that fact as well. Onix was a good man by and by, steadfast and loyal to the cause of the light and exterminating the darkness. Actually, each one of his boys were quite capable of doing such a thing. They made him proud.

These police boys could learn a thing or two from them.

"Rictus, your job is to observe and protect, not slack off and watch pretty girls walk by. Over." The Harbinger grumbled as one of the operatives shifted his gaze from a nice set of hips and instead scanned the crowd. If one watched closely enough in places like this, you could tell the intentions of people merely by their appearance or facial expression. Some robed man with an easy smile could easily be a conman just as easily as he could be a person of the nobility.

Lok had been propped up on the rooftop of a nearby building as the sun made its rise. The levitating electronic readouts provided by his VIS/HUD made things quite easier as he squinted to peer through the scope of his CZ-836. The data readouts consisted of written reports from other law enforcement personnel in different parts of the city and different cities in general. Although something rather peculiar popped up, which he accessed and read thoroughly. Apparently someone had worked up the nerve to venture into the lush, thick forests that peppered the landscape. It wasn't uncommon for people to go out there on mining prospects, but he didn't exactly have the feeling a single woman would have that intent.

Clicking his tongue against his teeth in speculation, Lok raised his finger and tapped the "Respond" button. To anyone watching him, they would've thought he'd been poking the air, but he was actually preparing to move to intercept this traveler. Whoever ventured out there alone had a deathwish or possessed some other motive.

"This is Saint, relocating. Out."

And with that, he leapt off of the roof and started his way towards the inner portions of the forest on an intercept course. Sticking closely to the shadows in the morning and ensuring that his presence was cloaked, he assumed it wouldn't take long to get there without detection.

[member="Salvaje"], [member="Onix"], [member="Matsu Xiangu"]

 

[Garza]

The elevator ride was not that bad. It took only a few seconds to reach the top floor. The ding of the doors opening revealed one of the natives. Already moving back away from me as an imposing figure in robes and clearly on a mission. Moving past the man, I touched my hand to his shoulder. The thing about the line of work, is that I had to observe and react to situations. One way to do that, was by direct contact. The shoulder I touched became stiffer than permacrete. Standing still, I looked to him. My emotions and face hidden with a Mask, I let go and he sighed in relief. Walking in the elevator and pressing a button to go down to one of the floors to leave or continue on with his job.

I had let the man go. If someone was guilty of doing something, they would be fearing everything. Not just me. Instead of looking directly at me, he would have been looking at everything but me to find a way out of the situation. They would panic. Oh how I loved the natural response of Fight or Flight. Usually when scared, people fly off and try to run from you. Fighting meant they could lose. Running gave them a chance to win. Good thing he didn't run.

Pulling out my lightsaber hilt, I simply held it. Toying with the hilt. Flipping it around my hand. It gave me something to do. Yes I could be sitting still. However, there were times I liked to move. Moving to the edge of the roof. I crouched down and looked around. Smiling as the HUD within the mask came up and light up all of the people that worked with me. Green for the teams on the ground. Purple for my own team of Shadows, and the rest were marked yellow for unknown causes. if a weapon was drawn, it would recognize the shape of some form of a weapon and go off lightning up red. A little nifty tool when watching over three dozen friendlies and untold civilians.

Off going from my ear, I heard Saint speak that he was moving. I knew he could handle himself. However, I looked in his direction. And clearly saw a yellow signal way out in the Fringe. I watched as it was someone he was going after. I smiled dully as I stood up. From this height, the wind blew at my cloak. As well with the dull crimson color, I blended into the background of the building. Watching. Observing, but not moving a muscle.

[member="Lok Jorunn"], [member="Salvaje"], [member="Matsu Xiangu"],

 

[Salvaje]

Memories. All he had were his memories. Thoughts of his Family always crossed his mind and were the center of his pain. He knew exactly what leaving meant, it was their way, it was their tradition. To this day he still never understood the ancient doctrine but he respected it despite the emotional scars left behind. When his Father died he felt a ripple in the force even though his training was limited and he was half way across the Galaxy. Perhaps it was the strong bond between them that assisted in this sense. When that happened he wanted to return home and forsake his clans rules...but he couldn't. His return would only bring shame and dishonor to his Family and to his species. During this time he was more susceptible to the dark side as love and pain controlled his mind. He found no solace in the fact that his Father lived a long and peaceful life, no doubt succumbing to death due to natural causes. Salvaje was more angry at himself for not being by his side during his final moments.

For years he wandered the Galaxy alone with his pain and rage, his thoughts bubbling within like a boiling cauldron. This was his darkest moment and without a mentor to guide him through this process he allowed his emotions to cloud his judgement. The quest for knowledge and history were put aside like an unwanted child and his goals were temporarily replaced by a more sinister act. He wanted to find a way to vent his darkness. Even now he could still hear the screams....he could still feel the warmth of blood trickling down his face...

Salvaje snapped out of his trance and found himself breathing heavily. Memories...he wished he could get rid of some. They were the reason for his isolation.

[Member=Onix]
[Member=Lok Jorunn]
[Member=Matsu Xiangu]

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

The two Svivreni led her deeper in to the fringes of the village and out in to the woods, moving quietly and using her light weight to her advantage in a game of stealth. She was not the type to go in to things with guns blazing; she liked to assess a situation, build a plan and exploit obvious weaknesses. She liked exacting a cold and pointed violence rather than bursting on to the scene in one brilliant and wasteful flare. They went on for quite some time before the two brushed branches and leaves carefully arranged to conceal two very old speeders, arguing amongst themselves about what sounded like their benefactor’s lack of concern for the proper equipment for the job. She could feel their fear, a faint undercurrent of worry about the unknown they faced. Whatever ‘hermit’ they had spoken of made them uneasy enough for their emotion to reach Matsu and she closed her eyes, breathing deep.

Whether it was the fear amplifying her range or simply some other creature’s emotion she felt something dark from deeper in the woods. It felt confused, unfocused – wanting. (Don’t you know yet that nothing you do is coincidence?) She smiled, twin fangs peeking out slightly from behind her lips. The other, whomever it was, felt a fair distance deeper in to the woods but not so far she couldn’t call quietly. Telepathy was one of her strong suits.

C̬̱ͪo͈͚̖̫̥̩͎ͭ̽̐ͨ̀̚mͣ͊̆ͯͣe̻̞͋ ̗͔̜͚̇o̤͋ͯ̅͛͑ͅu͑̿̚t̳̋ͥͦ,͖̘̖̯͙͔͖̎ͨ̌̔̑ ̾c̩̙͓̙̫̱͂̌ͮ̆̋̊ͅo͔̱̱̮̾́m͖̂ͥ͒ͬͦͪe̯͖̼̓ͯ̉̅̚̚ ̻̙̭̙͉̫͍͐́̾̈́o̬̘̮̿̔ú̖̟̠̤̈̆t̠͕̹͙ ̑̀-̠̯̮̞̫͇ͫͮ̒ I̊̇̏̓̀ͮ ̙̝̬̙̇ͦ͗c̼͉̾ͪ̓̇̅a̭̻͙̣͎̩̽̋n̈́͌̊ͦ ͕͓͓ͧ̽f͎̖̩̺̊ͮ̋͑̓ͫe͔e͓͍̠ḷ̺͍̺̤̙̑̋̇̀ ͙̫̟̖͓͕͍̎̽̑y̳̭͇ͩͅo̰͎̖͕͆̅̆̍̇ṵ̬̮͚̝̳ͅ.̥̠͋͂​

​

​

She moved forward, making herself known to the two Svivreni just long enough to latch on to their minds. One was stronger-willed than the other, but without the Force they put up almost no resistance to a woman who’d trained for years in infiltrating the mind. “You don’t want to finish this job,” she said without speaking, dominating their minds with an idea that was already there. They were both frightened enough initially to take her ‘suggestion’ without much persuasion.

She was about to take one of the speeders, following the feeling of low-simmering heat in the core of the forest when the slightest hint of danger fluttered against the back of her mind. She couldn’t pinpoint the source of that it when focused on dampening her signature but sensing a hint was enough to tell her to keep it that way. She affected a passive expression, a woman out for a stroll – perhaps a little dumb, unknowing of what happened to innocent, untrained women in strange forests, inspecting two abandoned speeders simply because she was bored.

[member="Salvaje"] | [member="Lok Jorunn"] | [member="Onix"]​

 

[Lok Jorunn]

Sweat began to bead before quickly being dried on his forehead. Wearing a mask had both pros and cons, and temperate and hot climates didn't exactly appreciate his fashion statement. Not to mention that here he was: romping through the dense jungle with gear, a mission ahead, and the desire of a nice and full lunch. The Harbinger quickly shoved away the thought of a hot meal, it was too early for that and it really was his fault for not getting a full breakfast. Wheaties didn't tend to fill him up anymore. Maybe he could stop at McYoda's on - Stop, Lok. He told himself once again and got back to focusing on putting one foot before the other.

"Sometimes I think being the best isn't all it's worked up to be." He grumbled to himself and actually managed to lessen his ego's weight. He was only the Harbinger because he was the only one to step forward in their early days and now there were people more capable of doing his job even though they were his subordinates.

Saint hefted his rifle up after he'd rolled up his black sleeves. Tanned skin with coiled muscle around solid bone. That tan, obviously, wasn't from Midvinter. Lok's thoughts drifted towards home before he caught himself. Why was he so distracted? The shadow stopped moving and calmed himself, breathing evenly and letting the Force beat almost as naturally as his heart did. He needed this focus, there was no use in humping through the wilderness to respond to something insignificant. Well, he didn't know that just yet.

Considering the fair amount of progress he'd made and the levitating map he'd pulled up, he assumed that he would be making contact with those three footmobiles soon enough. His senses couldn't pinpoint their location, but something was different.

[member="Matsu Xiangu"], [member="Salvaje"], [member="Onix"]

 

[Salvaje]

His train of thought was disrupted by a whisper, a chilling voice that seemed to mentally scratch his mind sending goosebumps throughout his entire body. It was clouded, shrouded in darkness and carried with it a sense of authority and power. The holocron which he held in his tri clawed hands suddenly dropped then trailed up to his wrinkled forehead, his eyes closing as he concentrated on its meaning and interpretation. The words echoed. Not only in his mind but it seemed to pulse throughout his surroundings though others would be unable to hear it. He was too untrained to detect its origins but the message sent was loud and clear. He had been found. But by whom?

With his mentality being toyed with he inadvertently used the force to lift up a solid boulder located near his shack, his claw still gently rested upon his brow. The mass of rock floated effortlessly off the ground but he was unaware of what was happening, his concentration solely fixated on the voice that spoke its cold words. His pointed teeth clenched together, his other hand clenching in a fist "Who.....are.....you? Tell me you.....must" the words were hard to conjure from his mouth as he felt an all too familiar feeling cross his mind. Fear. Despite years of training and study he was still unable to focus and control his emotions and they often ran rampant especially when it came to those who wielded the Force. His yellow eyes revealed themselves behind flesh blankets and trailed to the hovering boulder which caused him some surprise. Despite decades he was still not in control.

After collecting himself the rock suddenly dropped, a loud thud echoing throughout the forest.

(OOC: The dialogue is not mental so in a sense he is talking to himself.)

[Member=Onix]
[Member=Lok Jorunn]
[Member=Matsu Xiangu]

 

[Garza]

I continued to watch. Instead of focusing in on one point, I made sure to keep an eye on Saint. Moving my vision to the other places that I was in charge of, I looked around. A simply turn of the head and I could see almost a third of the city. That was a lot of people to watch. Each one had a mark. Blobs of yellows and greens mixing together to form almost a colorful sight. It was then I saw a flash of purple. I scrunched my eyes. Looking to the closest area of where one of my troopers were supposed to be. He was not there. Calling in,

"Lightstryke. What the hell are you doing?"

There was silence followed by a voice breaking out. Only in a whisper. Two words were spoken, but it was all that I needed to know.

"Red dot."

We used code words as to not explain ourselves. In a sense, he was saying that he saw someone on his end turn red. While the Masks were great, they could not see through walls. Anything thicker than a standard wall and we couldn't see through it. Meaning he was hidden from my sight, but not Lightstyke's. he did a good job as a few seconds later, I could see his signal move back towards the spot he was at.

"False alarm."

I stayed silent as well as the rest of our team. The total of six of us cleared the entire area out. And seeing as how all of us had the ability to use telekinesis rather well, we could influence out bodies to speed up many times faster than what any normal human could run. As well as jump. There was once where I had stayed up in the air long enough to consider it levitation, but I was falling in style. Not really staying still in the air. Turning back to the signal of Saint, I noticed that he was taking a little longer than expected. Where the people out there, really that far away from him?

"Saint, Any sign of the three?"

It was when I could feel a little screech in my gear. Clearly something was up. I could feel a chill go up my spine. Oh something was about to go down. I could feel it. "Nitewing, Justice, Split up my section and cover me." Hearing the both of the men respond with a "Yes sir" I jumped.

Allowing gravity to pull my body down, I reached out with my left hand and let it slide down the sleek windows of the building. Feet first, I smiled as shifting my body to flatten out. Increasing air resistance, and when I was getting close, using telekinesis to push myself slowly back up slowing my decent to where I slammed down onto the ground. Feeling the bones in my legs vibrate a crap ton, I stopped for a second. Standing straight up and stretched myself. Standing now on the ground, I launched myself off. Using Force Sprint, and a little bit of Force illusion to hide myself as though I were a low flying bird, I ran towards the position of Saint.

Even though it was without his knowledge, I knew, I could feel that something was up. This was no average gut wrench. No this was almost like someone was taking a giant hand and ripping my stomach out. I might get in trouble for this, but I would rather get in trouble over nothing, than get in trouble for not doing anything.

[member="Salvaje"], [member="Lok Jorunn"], [member="Matsu Xiangu"],

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

Fear…it wasn’t sweeping, not the kind of panic she was familiar with when someone had a sensory overload. It was a more apprehensive, on-guard sort of feeling she associated with creatures smart enough to question the voice that pried in to their head. Matsu despised weakness in all forms and if she had felt the first kind of fear she would have dismissed the creature it was coming from in a heartbeat – she had no room to coddle. But the second kind of fear was smart. The second kind of fear was survival. She soaked it up for a moment, letting it amplify her reach and directing her thoughts outwards in the direction the emotion had come from though she paused when she heard a ‘thud’. From the distance it was faint but marked the position of someone – or something – clearly enough for her to follow…and piqued her interest. The flare of power it had taken for what she assumed was a telekinetic display if things were falling felt raw, untamed. Big.

On the other hand she could feel a presence in direct opposition to her own, a force light and bright dancing right along the edges of her signature. She felt her figurative hackles go up, palming the hilt of her lightsaber hidden under the folds of her clothes.

Ỷ̘͎͓͌̿̚ou͓ͬ͐̓ ̱͕ḫ̮͉̲̖͓͑̏͆ͤ͐ͥä͎̙̎ͮ̓ͫv̱͙̤̞̠̬̞͂ͫͨ̎e̲̱̱̟̖͎͎ͯ̅̉̆̇̍̄ ̳̲̯̖͉̅̽̌p̦̋̋̐ͮő̬̬͔ẁ̙͕̣̥̳̬̐ͅe̒r̅̓͒ͮ.͂͒͐̄͒̿ͬ ͍̪̫̲̰͓̲̃̎̾U̳ͩ̊̅̈́ṣ̬̰̰̲̜͋͛̿̇ͤ̎ͅe ̙͎̱̂̿ͭͤͥͭi̤̇̏̀ͦ̓̄̈t̂͂ͩ͋͂̄̂.͙͗̇ͯ̒̎ ̹͚̙ͫ̅̎̿ͅFî̍ͅń̤͈̗̣̏d̠̻̯͒͑̂̀ͪ ͚̲̯͈̣̜̼̑̆̐m͍͚̔̍̈̍̓̾̃e̔̔̚.̫͉͍͈͎͍ͯ̍ ͥ́̒F̥͓̦͇̠̻͌͐ͦ͑ͅiͯ̊̉n̙͙̻̤͔̘̱̽̾̎̇ͩ͋d͉͔̝̥̳͋̿̍̈͊̑̍ ̻̻͔̏͂ͫ̇̄ͣ̚a̦͉̖̗̩ͫ̋̑̚ͅͅn̟̝͛̓̌ͅs͍̞̭͇̗͚ͬͭ͂̓͛w̰ͩ̈̋̂ͯ͌è̯͒̆r͖͑̒͑ͮ̀̆́ͅs̤͓͈ͣ.̥̦̪̱̋̎̍̊ͬͣ​

She weighed her options. If the creature the villagers were afraid of didn’t show itself she would leave him behind, to waste the power he potentially held. It would be a shame if the range he could throw his emotions was any indication but it wouldn’t be the first time someone so promising had let themselves fall to the wayside. She could take one of the old speeders and get out of the area, find somewhere to stalk the power in the center of the forest. She could find the source of the light that was agitating her, grating her nerves.

But it seemed the option was chosen for her as she heard footsteps and male voices. Dampening her signature she kicked one of the speeders, hissing in frustration and dragging her natural fingers through her hair in a show of confusion. “Fething piece of poodoo! Never starting, and yet he never gets more credits…”

The press of the long-knife stashed in her boot was a delicious and promising bolt of steel.

[member="Salvaje"] | [member="Lok Jorunn"] | [member="Onix"]​

 

[Lok Jorunn]

The Saint was the first to make contact with his target. It was a visual at first, which he could hardly see at all throughout the dense foliage and the makeshift cover. He first eyed the speeders after a few moments of silent investigation from afar. Lok had crouched behind a fallen branch and had been using his 3.4x scope to check out the scene before he just walked right in. Ironically enough, the man figured he'd been there long enough and just stood up and started for the woman.

"Excuse me, ma'am," he called out to the lone figure, "need any help?"

Besides the assault rifle, the skull-painted mask, and the combat gear, why would this woman even bother answering his question? The Harbinger could care less about what she thought, he was merely interested in discovering what her intent for being out here was. It wasn't everyday that people strayed into these woods, most beings tended to keep themselves in the cities where trade and entertainment was plentiful and excitement was more than abundant. Out here, there were worse things than a merchant trying to haggle you for a few credits more.

"Those yours?" He cocked his head towards the lump of vegetation. This lady was too strange indeed, which was why he hadn't dropped his cloak in the Force just yet. Something strange was afoot.

((OOC: Sorry for the post delay, had holiday festivities and whatnot. Thanks for waiting!))
[member="Matsu Xiangu"], [member="Onix"], [member="Salvaje"]

 

[Salvaje]

The voice continued to hiss in his ears though it was only heard by him. He could no longer avoid hiding in the wilds of this Planet, he had been found. Not only that but his progress had been halted due to lack of tuition. Holopads, datacrons and scrolls could only teach so much and theory had its limitations. The dark green sentient took a deep breath and allowed the fresh air to fill his lungs. Salvaje reached his small tri finger claw towards the makeshift hut in front of him and summoned the force. A large curved rancor claw hovered from the bench and shot towards his green hands.

Salvaje paced his way towards the faint signature towards the settlement but his mind was clouded. He was undecided.

(Sorry, just a short post to get the ball rolling. Been a bit busy with work but my next post will be longer )

 

[Matsu Xiangu]

She couldn’t feel any hint of the Force rolling off him despite the authority he seemed to wield. She hadn’t expected this particular planet to have any military presence of its own, at least not from what she’d read of it before visiting, and she assumed he was from off-planet like her. There weren’t many humans around and she knew it looked suspicious for her to be out here but she would do her best acting job and see how far that got her.

Maybe all the way to the bright lights of the Coruscant’s stages.

After a cursory glance taking in his weaponry, she injected a tiny hint of wariness in to her expression, perhaps nervous around someone so heavily armed and with the pattern of a skull on his mask. A conflict felt inevitable, something stirring in the Force as she drew herself up and gave him a comedic display of exasperation. (Oh, you caught me losing my temper!) “Oh! Yes – they’re mine, my husband’s technically. Though with the way he takes care of them, he doesn’t deserve them…” she ended on a mutter, turning back to the speeders, the comfortable press of her blades against her calves a reminder of the low hum in the air.

She turned back to them, opening one of the control panels and fiddling with things in an obviously clueless way. He might get closer to her to help her, strengthening her ability to walk his mind through direct touch or simply making his aura more palpable if he had one – both would clue her in to whether she was safe to write him off.

Or the proximity might give him an idea of who she really was. She was willing to take the risk. She could feel the presence in the center of the woods stirring, leaving its home, venturing out in wisps between the trees.

[member="Salvaje"] | [member="Lok Jorunn"] | [member="Onix"]​

OOC: Sorry about the wait guys, never got a notification. My bad!​