Private The Looking Glass

[Zlova Rue]

Location: Uncharted Planet, Wild Space​

I'll be back before you know it, the Twi'lek had said. Rumor of a Temple on an overgrown world had reached Zlova's ear, and being one eager to get her hands on ancient relics of knowledge and power it was too good to pass up. At the time Talohn may have been occupied by a job, however, so the red woman ventured ahead. It wouldn't take long. They were out there on the furthest reaches of the galaxy; the temple was probably fashioned by some locals to honor some non-existent deities. A physical trap or two might work after all that time, but Zlova could handle those without batting an eye. So, she hadn't been worried and sought to placate any worries her Cathar might have.

It had been a day since Talohn had heard anything. The ship she'd taken responded to a ping so it hadn't been destroyed, but no one answered a hail.

The world was lush with life, but showed no signs of indigenous, sentient lifeforms. Atmospheric readings suggested it had been some time since any industrial activity occurred. The towering doors left open from the neglected temple, however, suggested a civilization once called the place home. One with more than a few ropes and logs to position columns of stone. Where had they gone? What had driven them to abandon the place, or to extinction?

A soft glow radiated out between the massive stone doors. Through them stood a Great Hall with relatively little damage from the passage of time. Though the stone floor lacked polished of its prime, it was predominantly intact aside from some cracks as a resulting of settling or tremors. Thick pillars supported the vaulted ceiling that loomed overhead. The interior passageways off the Great Hall were also taller than an ordinary Human, but only in typical regal fashion. Doors that lined the corridors seemed relatively Cathar-sized, so any visitor likely wouldn't need worry about a fifty-foot tall giant.

Another set of doors waited at the far end of the Greay Hall. They were just as tall as the outer set and engraved with many runes or sigils of an unrecognized hand.

Despite their imposing size, however, the doors would swing open with relative ease and the bright light of a sun would strike an intruder's eyes. A moment later the sound of laughter and calls of a market would great their ears. The warmth of a clear, Spring day was carried on the lightest of breezes that billowed through the opened passageway.

From the doors, one could see a host of red figures as they strode through the streets and tended stalls. They called out to one another in greeting, or in need of purchasing fruit on display. Young children bounced between the adults with their lekku waving defiantly behind them as they went. And all of them bore black tattoos over every inch of their exposed flesh. Though none of them carried the curved hilts of Zlova Rue, each shared many of the hallmarks Talohn would know well of the woman he loved.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

Indeed, Talohn had been busy with a job of some sort. Typically he finished jobs fast, but tracking down this particular slimeball of a criminal had taken more investigation than was typical. Oh how he hated the alleys of Kaddak. They were an abysmal place. Half the time, he was keeping people from trying to steal the beskar that covered his body. Those folks had no shame! He looked forward to nothing more than getting home to his favorite sith and his precious little foundling.

Talohn, having finished throwing his bounty into a cell at the police office, finally boards the ramp of his ship at the hangar. Once through the entrance, he steps into the livingroom area, eyes drifting between the kitchen and the couches. Monari was not far off, sitting on the recliner that was closest to the hologram projector they used for holovision. After kicking off his boots and sliding off his shoulderpads, Talohn makes his way over to sit on the couch nearby, leaning back in his seat with a sigh. He pulls the helmet off, placing it beside him as he starts to speak. "Hey kiddo, how ya been?" He questions.

Monari had been so absorbed in her datapad that she hadn't even noticed his arrival. She seemed concerned about something, for sure. Upon Talohn's words, she suddenly looks up with a slight jump. "Oh, Talohn! Sorry...I didn't hear you...I was..." She sighs, her shoulders slumping.

Talohn tilts his head, curious as he leans forward in his seat a little. "Monari, what's wrong? Shoolwork troubles?" He asks, his eyebrows furrowing. Monari was a laid back person, this amount of worry was....unusual to say the least.

Monari crosses her arms, her eyes half lidded in an unimpressed expression. "I never have school troubles, Talohn. I'm so above all the material that it's more just a formality. The only time I learn anything new is in history. So no." She slides off of the recliner, amphibian feet padding on the floor as she scurries over to hop onto the couch beside Talohn, showing him the datapad. "Zlova isn't back yet.....I'm getting worried." She pouts slightly.

Talohn leans in, orange eyes gazing at the datapad. Monari had sent out a ping every few hours. Typically he'd tell her that Zlova is her own person and that they can't constantly be bugging her, or he'd let Zlova tell her that herself....but this was odd. No response from any of the pings, not even one, but the ship was still active. He sighs, then looking into Monari's pleading golden eyes. "....Fine...you win. I'll check on her." With that, he heads to prepare a hyperspace jump.

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Talohn had arrived on the planet as hastily as he could. It was a beautiful place, he had to admit. he and Madlad searched the ship Zlova had taken....It was definitely empty. Talohn had a trail of Zlova's scent though, with that catharese nose of his. She hadn;t been here for...about a day. Disconcerting. He didn't even need to follow scent, he knew where to look next. That weird temple wasn't far off. After leaving Madlad to guard the ship. he started his trek in that direction. He'd worn all his armor just in case, his TDW H.A.R.M slung over his shoulder and his custom HP-001 at his side. As usual, the lightsaber was also hanging from his belt.

Once before the door, Talohn would look upwards to observe the sheer size. He takes a deep breath, hands resting upon the ancient stone to push them open. He holds a gauntlet up to his visor as the sun nearly blinds him. He wasn't expecting the sun to be present within. Temples were typical damp and dark places, even jedi temples. In a way, he actually found it suspicious.

Once he adjusted to the sudden increase in sunlight, his eyes rest upon the market. His eyes dart from the children to the adults....all of them had those tattoos...all of them were like Zlova....but not. "This....is some fuckery." He mutters. He would take a step past the threshold of the temple, his wits about him. He didn't have his hand at his holster, but he mentally had force speed prepped to draw the weapon at a moment's notice if anything took a turn. All the while, his eyes canned the crowd for Zlova, or her lightsabers in this case. She'd never leave them laying around after all.

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

One of the Lethan stopped and looked over at the furry man that'd appeared near the market. "Are you here for the festival?" Her golden eyes roamed the length of the Cathar's body. "We don't get many visitors, but you're more than welcome to join us. We have delicacies from all over, music, dance, food, and plenty to drink." The woman laughed.

Slowly she started to move toward him with a smile on her lips. "There's no need to be tense. Violence and weapons are prohibited here." She stopped as her eyes fell to where Talohn's hands rest. "Oh. You'll need to leave those with one of our Custodians before you can enter the Square." The woman gestured to Talohn's right. Down the road it was easy to see it opened up into a larger area with plenty of red women moving that way.

Meanwhile, to Talohn's left stood a tall, older building; while straight ahead of him sat several rows of stalls and low-lying buildings (possibly residential in nature).

"Mommy," a shrill voice cried out and a smaller Lethan scurried toward Talohn's greeter, "Alla pulled on my tail," the young one cried.

With a soft laugh, the adult that greeted Talohn turned and knelt down to stroke the young one's right lekku which the youth had been cradling in one hand. No doubt a bit sore from some roughhousing. "Does that feel better?" The woman leaned in to plant a light kiss on the young girl's brow.

"Mm!" A mixed reply of agreement and the dim memory of pain followed. Then the girl's golden eyes lifted to Talohn and she abruptly clung to her mother with both hands.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

There was something extremely wrong here. Very. Very. Wrong. Many red twi'leks for one. Just by that logic, he could tell that this wasn't real. On top of their similarities to Zlova. An illusion of some sort? Evil shapeshifters? What could have happened? "Uh...thank...you..." He mumbles, her words snapping him from his thoughts. With the feelings this was giving, he doubted that violence and weapons were truly prohibited. They were just prohibited for him. He makes a note to himself to not touch the food either. For now, he'd need to unfortunately give up his weapons to avoid pissing off whatever....this was.

Thus, the cathar nods politely in response to her request that he put away his weapons, and makes his way towards to where the lethan gestured. He warily weaves through the crowd, making sure no one touches him. Once at the counter, he takes his pistol and rifle, placing them before the custodian. "Keep them safe." He states simply. He was nervous to see his precious pistol in the hands of some dark force entity. but Zlova was more important by far. They hadn't seemed to see the lightsaber as a weapon, so he leaves it where it is, letting them think it's a flashlight or something. He takes a deep breath under his visor, considering where to go next.

Weaving through the crowds once more, he makes a hurried pace towards the tall older building. It looked dark and decrepit, which meant it was a good place to start. Then he stops, realizing there was another way. the darkness was clouding his sixth sense, luckily he had his nose. The cathar takes off his helmet, putting it under his left arm. The cathar takes a deep breath. mentally stabilizing himself. After exhaling, he takes in another breath through his nose, attempting to catch Zlova's scent. Should he be successful, he'll follow her path. Should he not, he continues on towards the decrepit building.

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

Zlova's scent would be weak from time and currents of air blocked, but the Cathar's intuition sent him on the right course.

While some festival-goers stared at the Cathar as they passed, none of them stopped or tried to interfere in his own progress. Every single one of them closely resembled the Lethan Twi'lek Zlova Rue, but at different ages and slightly different heights or builds. There was enough diversity to tell individuals apart if you paid close attention, but far too much similarity to do so at a glance.

Stone doors shielded the old building that had Talohn's attention. No one stood guard outside, and the doors were unlocked -- fortunate for the nosy Cathar. Glyphs decorated the exterior of the doors suggesting a form of Force Art was involved in their operation. Through them stood a short hall bereft of people and filled with broken furniture. What truly stood out, however, was the faint sound of voices through another set of wooden doors at the other hand of that hallway; they had been left cracked open and what was being said managed to escape.

"Men?" a woman's voice cried. "You're worried none of us are male any more? We're ghosts, Vestrud. We're not repopulating our species."

Another woman responded tersely, "Was that the intended design of this ark, Ghena? To make look the same? Some sick, twisted philosophical experiment?"

"Experiment? And I suppose you and your fancy wines and cheap whores were going to save everyone as you talked Armageddon to death?"

Through the crack in the door Talohn could spy five red woman standing in a loose circle facing one another with various expressions on their face ranging from neutral to livid. More importantly, beyond them, at the end of what may have once been a lavish royal hall with columns lining both sides, sat an all too familiar figure with two lekku; though this Zelova was not red with black tattoos, but a ebon Twi'lek with red tattoos. The black woman sat upon a thread atop a dias with their eyes consumed by a bright, yellow glow. Their gaze was fixed over the heads of those that spoke with nary a muscle twitch to be seen.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

Voices are the first thing his sensitive ears pick up as he draws closer to the stone doors. It makes him automatically silence his footsteps. Once upon the stone door, he gently pushes it open to peek through the crack and make sure no one was on guard past them. Once he found that the coast was clear, he double checks the door. Finding no tripwires or traps, he pushes the door open ever so slightly more and slips through to enter the hallway. At this point, he takes the lightsaber off of his belt so that he can ignite it at a moment's notice. He would have used force speed to silently hurry over to the wooden door, but he was wary. This was a place of dark energy, and them being able to sense the force being used was very much a possibility,

After carefully creeping through the hallway, he puts his back up against the wall beside the door, using that angle to peek through the crack without being seen. At this point, he can make out what they're saying. His brows furrow under his helmet. He's obviously missed part of the conversation, but if he were to guess...Zlova is being used to fuel some sort of ghost colony? What was with him and running into weird anomalous shit lately? Either way, his priority right now is Zlova. From the angle he was peeking at, Zlova could be seen. He didn't know the force could cause color reversals. Were the situation different, he'd compliment the look.

Sadly, he'd have to directly confront them. There was no way of sneaking to Zlova and getting her our silently. He quietly pushes the door open, but fails as it slightly creaks. With a shrug, he takes it in stride and steps fully past the threshold of the doorway, lightsaber in hand but not ignited. "Please don't tell me you guys used to be rakata." He asks in order to get their attention. Once they're all looking at him, he crosses his arms. "So you're...using my girlfriend to fuel....whatever this is?" He questions, vaguely gesturing to the five women. "Not to repeat what I heard, but I'd like to know the intended purpose of this ark."

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

The five red woman spread out as they turned and formed a semi-circle to face the intruder into their Hall.

"Who are you, and what right do you have to trespass?" Vestrud snapped.

Ghena snorted. "Your... girlfriend is supplying our Matrix with energy needed so our people can live again."

"By all means, inform the intruder everything about us. Perhaps you'd like to try in vain to convince him to let us keep his girlfriend," the brieque Vestrud said with an exaggerated roll of the eyes. "As much as I rather have my body back, at least I have one. So," her yellow eyes fixed on the Cathar, "I'm disinclined to release her. Anyone disagree?"

A vexed growl rose from Ghena's throat, but she stiffened and drew in a deep breath. "As tiresome as his voice is, my... colleague is correct. If she is removed, we will no longer exist. Could we convince you to depart, perhaps, in exchange for something of material value?"

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

"I just explained why I have the right to trespass." He counters the first image of his girlfriend that snaps at him. His hand goes away from his lightsaber.....for the moment. He needed to tread carefully, since he had no idea what sort of powers these odd beings were packing. "Sooo....you're using her force energy to power your existence...." He frowns under his helmet. That was about what he assumed from the conversation he heard. This was just great. He was getting Zlova out of here, that was absolutely for certain. But a part of him did want these people to continue enjoying life once more after all their hard work. Just not at the expense of the woman he loves.

Talohn's helmet focuses on Vestrud as she begins speaking. She wasn't wrong. Trying to convince him would indeed be in vain. But he was willing to negotiate....in a way. As Ghena begins her attempt at persuasion, his focus lays on her. After she finishes speaking, his attempts to hold back laughter are so audible that they can be heard under the helmet. He takes a deep breath soon after, pushing aside his amusement. "You're really banking on me being a shitty person here. I'm afraid that's just not gonna work. However." He takes his helmet off, latching it onto the side of his belt. He wanted his helmet off to show that he was genuine.

"I've been to the netherworld. It's..." He grimaces. "It could be better. I understand why you enjoy being alive once more. But love trumps all. I have a bargain for you though." His expression becomes more serious, yet there's still understanding in his features. "This can go one of two ways, really. One, you let me take her back, and we'll be back with a suitable power source relic when we find one. Two." He takes the lightsaber off of his belt, but doesn;t ignite it. "Two. I cut you guys down and take her back, and we'll see you again when we've found a suitable relic power source. Honestly." He shrugs. "You're looking at a win win here, save for a bit of a power outage. Also one of those wins contains a lot more pain. Either way, I genuinely believe your people should be allowed to live, so I'll be coming back. On my honor. If you know anything about cathar, you know how important honor is."

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

"We're not--"

Vestrud let out a loud cry with fists balled at her sides. "What does some furry man know? You take that creature away and we won't even exist any more. We'll be trapped in an ill-conceived, incomplete experiment leaving our entire people trapped until the end of time itself. Neither living nor dead. Worse, the next time we get lucky enough for a medium to appear the galaxy won't look remotely the same again."

A sigh fell from Ghena's lips. Her gaze remain on Talohn despite the other's interruption. "We managed to emerge once, we can do so again."

"Again?" Vestrud grabbed Ghena's shoulder to force her to turn and look at him. "How do you even know we'll go back if that woman is torn out of that chair? What if this horrible creation could only function once or was damaged when we were conjured?"

"I thought you were concerned about being a woman for the remainder of your years," Ghena replied calmly.

A scowl spread across Vestrud's lips. "I'm more concerned about surviving." Bright, yellow eyes snapped back toward the Cathar and his weapon. "If we worked together, we could take him."

Ghena turned and pulled out of his grasp. She strode off to the side to wave her hand in the air. Several large displays appeared with images of the gathering at festival. "Our entire way of life would change as a result of this," she breathed. "We have less than the most forlorn of refugees; at least they still have their identities. How would we teach the children of who we once were?" Her chin fell, as did her eyes. "Children..."

"Children?" Vestrud gaped. "We don't need to worry about them if we don't exist."

A third Zlove-echo then addressed the Cathar, "Can we trust an outside to not pillage our ark while we are defenseless? What would it take to secure your silence?"

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

"Look...I'm not exactly the force relic expert here. However." He gestures to the chair bound Zlova. "Her? She is. Of course, she's also a literal fucking sith lord. So getting her to help you guys would be a hard sell if you don't let her go willingly." Talohn chuckles nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Though I do have one theory." His eyes rest Vestrud. She was concerned about being stuck in a new form? Well, they all were. But Vestrud most of all. "You are taking Zlova's form because you are taking her force energy."

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Doesn't it stand to reason that if we find just raw force energy to power it...that you'll take your original forms? I mean, it's gotta be worth a try, yea?" He asks, twirling the unignited lightsaber between his fingers.

Then his thoughts are interrupted by Vestrud stating that they could take him, and his orangish yellow eyes instantly lock on her, teeth bared to show incisors that could easily rip off someone's arm. "Trust me. You couldn't. Let's say you do. How many of you would die before you did? Could you risk that? Leaving your people without leaders? Leaving them stuck in completely foreign bodies without any council to turn to? I'm giving you a chance here." His expression softens. "Please listen."

He watches them argue amongst themselves for a moment before the third one finally addresses him. "Gonna be honest. Ain't much to pillage that I'm interested in. Plus it pales in comparison to the information that your people yourselves could provide. Typically relics only give a vague, partial story. It's not every day we get the chance to hear history in full. Not to mention, I know something of being a nearly extinct species. There's only 900,000 cathar left, y'know? Seems like a big number. But on the galactic scale? we're on our way to being snuffed out." He sighs just a little, shaking his head.

He then points at Zlova. "No matter what we discuss. understand that I do not leave this room without her. Step aside. Or get cut aside. I'd hate to have to do that. Cause then I'd have to figure out how to safely get her out of the chair myself."

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

The red face of Vestrud twisted into a snarl as the Cathar went on about cutting them down. Then their face relaxed and the faux-Zlova shrugged. "Well, since you insist."

Ghena turned to lance Vestrud with her eyes. "What are you doing?"

A ripple in the Force radiated outward from the throne upon which Zlova sat.

"Just what the Cathar ordered as you were all so quick to acquiesce." Vestrud smirked.

"Stranger," Ghena pivoted to fix him with her eyes, "this has never been done before. We don't know what will happen. Especially with the connection severed so suddenly!"

The black Twi'lek on the throne slowly turned her head slight to the side to fix the group with her gaze. Her fingers slowly released the arm rests to permit her figure to rise to her full height. A High-Sith chant fell from black lips as her hands reached out to either side to conjure the sabers that had been separated from her, "War dirtsarias, midwan tuti ros a anotia. War nirwos, ri dirtsarias shiyi ra tsrizûtairiki."* The violet blades ignited the moment they landed in Zlova's grasp. "Dia iw j'us tuti arji?"**

Spoiler: Translation

* Without victory, power is only an illusion. Without strife, the victory has no meaning.
** Which of you is worthy?

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

Talohn's eyes narrow as Vestrud speaks. "I don't like the way you said that. What the hell are you-" Then it happens. He sees ripples of energy leave Zlova's form. He winces slightly as she stands up. Fighting Zlova was a very unappealing prospect. He couldn't tell what she was saying, but he could definitely tell it was a threat. It was obvious she wasn't all there currently.

He looks between Zlova and Ghena. "Why are you telling me this? She's the one who decided to handle this the worst way possible!" He points at Vestrud, his left eye twitching. The cathar then takes in a shaky sigh to calm himself down. Yelling at them wouldn't do the situation any good at the moment. He keeps his lightsaber unignited as he takes one step at a time closer to Zlova. "Zlova. It's your favorite feline here. I need you to just...calm down." He looks her in the eyes, his expression sincere and comforting. "Come back to me, yeah? Monari is missing you, y'know."

Then the lightsabers fly into Zlova's hands, igniting instantly. Still keeping eye contact, he takes a few steps back so that he's not within reach of the blades should she decide to swing. "Red...I'd really prefer to spar under different circumstances." Should she go in for the attack, he'll ignite his lightsaber to block the first blow before making use of force speed to dash backwards, putting more space between them.

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

Without so much as a twitch the echoes of a Red Twi'lek were thrown toward one side of the room by the Force. Zlova's eyes lingered on the Cathar that approached with unignited blades in his hands. "Dursi tu'iyia arja." If what Talohn had said were understood or somehow reached a deeper part of the Twi'lek's psyche, no indication was given. Rather, the woman darted from her lofty perch with sabers in hand; both were swept down overhead toward either side of the man's neck.

Her golden gaze was clear and locked on the Cathar's eyes when their blades clashed. No growl, snarl, or bearing of teeth followed.

When Talohn darted back, Zlova followed at near the same speed. One saber was extended behind, the other crossed over to the other side. When he stopped moving, the closest blade would sweep outward horizontally toward Talohn. Its momentum would only be stopped if he blocked the blade outright; if he dodged then she would spin so that the other blade would come around as she continued forward to sweep at him again. A series of strikes that would continue so long as the man was within reach.

No thought entered her mind as their struggle was drawn out, and no consideration was given to the women she'd cast aside. Only the worthy occupied her thoughts and only so long as they were alive.

The sound of the festival outside grew fainter as the seconds passed. Ghena managed to push herself back to her feet using the wall as a crutch from where she'd been cast. "A little longer, Stranger! The projector is cycling down." At least, she hoped once the process completed and they vanished his girlfriend would become herself again. Otherwise the man might be slain and a violent sentinel placed ensuring they remain dormant for the foreseeable future.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

Sparks fly as their blades clash, his eyes locking on hers in return. He's really concerned, but his yellowish orange eyes still glow with the flame of concentration. As previously stated, following the clash of blades, he dashes backwards, his mind running as fast as it can to come up with a combat strategy. The main advantage he has is his speed. As far as he knew, if Zlova had force speed, she was nowhere near as fast as him. He'd just have t hope that was really the case. With how many times she's fought by his side, we wasn't exactly eager to face himself. In his mind, Zlova made the Amalgam look like a joke.

He didn't get much time to think as Zlova followed his dash, a horizontal swing coming towards him not long after. Knowing Zlova was a dual wielding sort, he calculated that it wasn't wise to block the first blow. Thus, he leans his torso back slightly to make the first blade miss before swinging his own blade outwards to parry the second blow, At the same moment he parries the seconf blow, he shoves his leg outward in an attempt to side kick and knock her back before the third swing can come around. "The one time I wish I wasn't wearing beskar boots..." He mutters to himself.

Should his kick work, he'll go on the offensive, throwing a three strike combo. One overhead, one horizontal, and the third being a stab. He's purposeful in his movements, keeping the strikes fast, but not too fast. Telegraphed enough for Zlova to block easily, but not so much that she's able to guess his next move and end his offensive while he was trying to buy time.

"I'll be fine! And she will be fine! I'd worry about your friend that woke Zlova up. The moment I revive your people I'm going to KNOCK HIS TEETH DOWN HIS THROAT." He seethes, which would cause a sudden burst of anger induced force energy, likely to the delight of the darkness currently possessing Zlova, what with it's speech about being worthy and all.

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

The Twi'lek took the foot to the midsection in stride. It forestalled her dogged advance on the Cathar male before her. Enough of an interruption in momentum for the man to get his feet under him and to push back. A prudent move; not only was it unsightly to be always on the defensive, but it was strategically worthless. Eventually you had to turn and face your opponent, and it was good to see her opponent had the wits to know when to do so.

As the Cathar surged back the way he'd been pushed, Zlova's hands twirled the blades inward until the butts of the curved hilts snapped together. The saber-staff batted at the overhead strike to lock and deflect it aside with the upper half. Talohn's horizontal swing was then met by the lower half of the staff to block and shove it back. When he thrust his blade forth, the staff spun in her grasp to knock the blow so it stabbed the air at Zlova's side.

"Wiai ra an zûtazihri tumora arsia a zûtaikima." The words hissed more sharply than usual between her teeth. A High Sith reminder that Talohn shouldn't think so little of her that he could afford to bandy words with the fools she'd cast aside earlier. Staff in one hand, the crackle of lightning danced between the tips of her outstretched fingers in her free hand. The light inside the room seemed to grow dim as the power of the Dark Side swelled around them. Arcs of energy flashed even in Zlova's golden eyes as the power in her hand grew ready to pierce the furry bipedal before her.

"Kiaso gpapoi!" Vestrud snapped in respond to the Cathar's threat. He shook a hand out toward Talohn before his red feminine form began to quickly evaporate where he stood.

Ghena sighed and gave a slight bow as she soon followed suit along with the rest of the leadership present.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

Talohn observes as her blades latch together to form a saberstaff. It made sense. Such a weapon would be easier to defend with since he was applyiung pressure. With force speed, he would swing his weapons faster. But the last thig he wanted to do was cause Zlova any form of harm. Sure, she was a big girl and she could take it, but that wasn't the point. The deflection of his stab causes him to end up moving past her, and he uses a split second of his force speed to instantly turn around and face Zlova before she could go in for a strike at his back.

A sigh leaves Talohn's lips as she hisses at him. He didn't know a single word of sith, but he could tell what she was saying with ease. Yes, yes. I know. Talking to other people during a dule is rude. Sorry if I've hurt your feelings, dark energy possessing my girlfriend." He states, his voice oozing sarcasm. Then it happens, the lightning crackling at her fingertips. "Ohhhh no. Really? You're gonna do this? Is there any chance you might just....I dunno...uh..." he observes the sparks appear in her eyes. "I suppose not."

He didn't pay Vestrud any attention as they all faded away, all of his focus on the lightning that was about to be sent right at him. The the lightning arcs from her fingers, he brings his blade down to clash with it. While his blade takes the blunt of the blow, some of the lightning still passes the blade, which is evident as the cathar begins visibly resisting convulsions and spasms, his fur standing on end. Smoke had just started to rise from his body when Zlova ran out. Following the attack, the cathar looks notably more ragged. Hints of embers can be seen in his hair, smoke rising from his fur. His body still trembles slightly as he slowly staggers forward, his eyes darting about trying to see anything through the smoke. "Zlova....you....Are you back? Red? Please. I don't know how long I can keep this train going...." He waves his hand to clear more smoke, hoping to find her where she had been standing when the lightning bolt was fired.

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

The large doors behind Talohn groaned as they were pushed open by a gust of wind that suddenly swept the room. With the air cleared the Cathar could see that the Lethan with black tattoos stood before him once more, both hands at her side with the crooked staff held in one. Using the Force to clear the air took as little effort as it did power.

Slowly Zlova's golden eyes slid open to regard Talohn. "What are you doing here?" She lifted her hand to regard the staff held securely there. Slowly her hands twisted the two hilts so they came apart and began to slide them back into place along her back. Her eyes slid to one side as if distracted by the act, but her thoughts were on their surroundings. It was not quite the place she remembered being last.

"What train?" A smile touched her lips, but failed to reach her eyes. Shameless though she may be in wardrobe or with her words, a Sith Lord still had her pride. Coming out and admitting they couldn't remember what had just happened was not the first thing that sprung to mind. "I can't see you as a conductor in a funny hat."

Her left foot slid back so Zlova could turn and peer back at the seat she'd been sitting in a minute or two ago. A few seconds later her eyes slid back to Talohn. The smile withered as she noticed the touch of fire -- or lightning -- that seemed to have touched the man's fur. "What happened?"

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

His eyes light up with relief as the Zlova he knows speaks, and in basic! "I'm uh....helping you...or I was helping you. Sorry if I seem a bit out of it. I'm still uh...." A hiss leaves him as his body suddenly spasms. "It's still in my fuckin fur." He simply takes a minute to catch his breath, slightly limping as he makes his way over to lean on one of the room's walls. With the electricity still travelling through his fur, one of his strands of black hair atop his head suddenly catches fire. He reaches up and closes his fingers around it, pinching out the flame.

The cathar chuckles slightly, shaking his head as she teases him for his wording. "I thought the mandalorian helmet was already a funny hat to you." He grins widely, teasing in return. "I bet you'd use it to fetch water if I left it unatten-" He suddenly spasms yet again, eyes wide as he hisses. "Gah! Dammit that stings....It's not even the initial force lightning that hurts. That damn static sticks to the fur."

Talohn chuckles nervously as she asks what happened. Hopefully her reaction to the news wouldn't be too terrible. "It's...a bit of a long story. You went missing for...longer than usual. Monari and I got worried, so we tracked you down. We...found you here. Right there to be exact." He gestures to the throne she had been in. "You were...uh...you were possessed by some sorta dark energy. That throne is some sort of machine. Meant to take force users as a power source." Feeling his strength returning somewhat, he stops leaning on the wall, standing straight once again. "You were being used as a power source by a race of extinct people. You were powering their spirits....or existence...or whatever, They all looked exactly like you. It was uh...it was really weird. When I tried to remove you from the throne, whatever was possessing you forced you to attack. So I sorta had to fight you until it all faded away."

By now, the static had mostly dispersed from his body. He slowly walks over to Zlova and leans forward slightly, his chin resting on her shoulder as his arms go about her waist. "I'm just glad you're back... So...so glad." She could tell the cathar was holding back tears. Not of pain, no. The pain was irrelevant. He was just happy to hold her again. He pulls back from the embrace to press his forehead to hers. "I got a bit of a shock during the fight. Nothing I can't handle." Th cathar then playfully gives her a peck on the lips. "There's more to this, but let's just get back to the ship. You need to get some food."

Zlova Rue

 

[Zlova Rue]

Zlova stared over at the Cathar as the man hobbled away to tweak alone next to a wall. Such a man thing to do. 'No, no, I'm fine, let me suffer over here in the corner.' As though Force Energy Absorption weren't possible and Sith could only deal it out instead of take it. Well, if her Cat wanted to harness the power of pain and suffering who was a Sith Lord to tell him not to?

Well, Talohn was Zlova's so it was her Sith-given right to tell him not to when she felt like it.

"It was only funny when you wore it with a tuxedo. Now it's just something you try so hard to get on my head, which is amusing in its own right, I grant you." Despite the lack of passion for concealing her entire body from view wearing beskar like a 'proper' Mandalorian, Zlova didn't find their helmet funny in a dismissive or derogatory way. Perhaps amusing in how solidly they clung to it though.

As Talohn launched into a story, the Lethan shifted her weight onto one leg and planted a hand upon the elevated hip. Her bright eyes were fixed on the Cathar even when he gestured to the throne. A fine, tattooed brow lifted slightly at the climax of the story.

A soft, drawn out sigh followed the man's embrace as he murmured his elation at her recovery. A small smirk tugged at her lips as her own hands went about the furry man's figure. Then he pulled back to press his forehead to hers as he often did to show his affection. A Cat thing she'd come to expect from him whenever they were together. A surprising turn in her life given just how outright suspicious she'd been of Talohn when they started this whole running-into-one-another thing.

"Food." A brief, quiet snort of laughter followed his announcement. Of course, it would be food with him. Not that Zlova would complain; now that she thought about it she did feel a bit hungry. Talohn hadn't said how long 'longer than usual' meant. Perhaps the man had the right of it. "Very well. But one point of contention," Zlova lifted a finger to gently slide it down the length of the Cathar's nose, "I was never possessed." A smile spread over her lips as she refused to elaborate.

Her left hand slid down Talohn's arm until she found his hand. The Twi'lek started for the large doors that'd been parted -- seemed the obvious exit -- with her furry feline in hand. If he made something particular tasty perhaps she'd tell him more.

Talohn Atar

 

[Talohn Atar]

"You've got a beautiful head full of amazing thoughts, red. I get a bit protective of it, sorry about that." he states, grinning playfully. Talohn didn't really cling to his helmet like most mandalorians. It just had a bunch of cool gadgets in it that make things helpful, and it looked cool! There was nothing wrong with wanting to look fashionable. Though lately he'd become scared that his skills were getting rusty with his dependence upon technology. Maybe he'd pick up a hat for a bit instead at some point.

Zlova might hear a small zap or crack here and there as they embrace. Nothing painful, but it would take a while to get the damn static out of his fur. The pressing of heads together was a thing amongst his culture it seems. Almost instinctual in a way. He'd notice he does it with monari to help calm her down when she's having a trauma episode. So gesture wasn't exclusive to romance. but the way he looked into Zlova's eyes when he did it was.

"Yes food. If you ended up in that seat the first day you got on this planet, you need to get some food in you soon. We're on planet, so we can assemble a fire and roast it." He winks, knowing what she liked. Zlova could never refuse a fire roasted meal, thus he had her pinned in this matter. He just needed to land a shot on some of the local wildlife. Maybe find some flavorful herbs too.

His hand squeezes hers as she takes hold of it and they make their way towards the entrance. He looks confused. "Wha?-then why?" He uses his free hand to scratch his head. "Was the force blinding you? Was....Was it your birthday and I forgot? Wait you haven't told me your birthday. Actually yeah, now that I think about it, tell me your birthday. I'm your geirpa. I need to make sure I know when to get your a birthday gift." He seemed way more enthusiastic about a birthday than most people would, excited in the same wonderous way that a child would be. Though it made sense if one thought about it. Where Talohn comes from, managing to survive even another day was worth more celebration than in most places. That makes a whole year worth a lot more.

Zlova Rue