The Urban Labyrinth [Asterion]

[Lief]

Lianna, a vast urban sprawl... At least that was all Evie could see from horizon to horizon. They had landed on this planet a few hours earlier, and since Jared was focusing on business Evie was all but unguarded. Making the most of this momentary burst of freedom, Evie had done her best to shake off the droid guards which had been set to watch her and hurried away from the corporate buildings.

She had quickly found herself lost amidst the labyrinth of buildings, which only sought to frustrate the little girl. Evie had known Coruscant like the back of her hand, but here she was at a loss. Why have I been brought to such a strange land? She supposed that she was meant to follow her new Master wherever he went, but this was not really a place for a child. Perhaps she ought to have remained with the droids, at least there she knew she would have all of the essentials seen to; food, clothing, shelter. If she got lost out here... Well, for one she would be in big trouble, as if she wouldn't be already for having shaken off the guards.

A small sigh left the girl. She had been given new clothes, which she wasn't entirely comfortable within. They must have cost more than most families made in a year, the fabric was so fine, yet it was cumbersome all the same. Why has he made me wear robes, of all things... Evie was far more used to the practical attire of the Coruscanti Merchants; tunics and trousers, which wouldn't get in the way. It was just another thing for her to adjust to.

By now she was far from Santhe's corporate buildings, and lost amidst a sprawling array of stalls and shops. She'd had a little coin on her when she had been stolen away from Coruscant, yet in the exchange which had happened since - which placed her under Jared's protective gaze - it seemed she had misplaced it. That wasn't fun, her stomach was grumbling already. She really should have just stayed behind, perhaps things would be easier that way. It wouldn't take too much to just obey, she supposed.

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Asterion stood with his head resting against the warm rear engine of his one-man fighter; an old Sith craft, wings folded in and weaponry deactivated that got him from A to B and everywhere else in between. It bore the scars of a few botched landings and was decorated with pockets of caked on sand, dust and grime from the many years of endless days and weeks on Korriban.

Much like the Sith Knight who rested on it, the ship was getting better with age; wiser and stronger and more reliable. Asterion was making his way back into the core of the galaxy after spending a challenging few weeks back on this home world and meeting not one but two possible Force allies for the Empire of the Hand, and his personal development of the Sith teachings.

But a quick stop on Lianna, an almost poor-man’s Coruscant, would help refuel his ship and give time to ensure the ship would make the flight back home with no engine trouble or sand damage. Lianna was a frequent pit-stop for Asterion, and followed the Perlemian Trade Route back.

The air was warm and dry in the larger spaceport, located near the Santhe Headquarters and surrounded by an unusual array of different buildings of various shapes and sizes. Asterion used the time as he always did, to peruse the marketplaces. Having grown up a great deal in the year since leaving the Sith Order, he now was learning to discover his surroundings more; the culture, the ideas and the people who created the galaxy he wanted to survive in. He walked steadily and with no intimidation around the area, black Knight armour and cowl identifying him as a warrior to any looking on, his heavily stubbled face and parted hair conveyed the look of an unpredictable beast; a Minotaur.

To know ones surroundings would benefit not just –

UMPH!

Ironically he was too busy looking around that he failed to know his own proximity, bending over sharply as he walked into a little girl stood before a stall. Holding his arms out to help him avoid taking her out totally, Asterion side stepped a little around her and peered down on the girl, slightly irritated and embarrassed.

”Watch yourself, kid – grown-ups walking here.”


[member="Evie Arden"]

 

[Lief]

Evie stood staring at the market stall. Her tummy grumbled and her toes twitched as she glanced over the delights which caught her senses. The smells were divine, meats and sweets and vibrant fruits. I really wish I had that coin, maybe I should return to the corporate buildings... Maybe there would be food there, and she might even avoid her Master knowing that she had been missing.

She turned to walk away before being knocked down by someone who clearly wasn't watching where he was going. The air was knocked from her, leaving her fumbling on her knees. "Watch yourself!" she returned, rubbing her side as she began to rise back up, glaring at him. She brushed down her robes, making sure there were no rips, she didn't think her Master would appreciate that very much.

Looking somewhat frustrated the little girl turned and began to walk away, her white locks flowing behind her ~ added to the appearance he would have briefly seen, it would be somewhat obvious that the girl was either Umbaran or Echani - the paleness of her skin suggesting the former more so. Perhaps it really was best if she returned to her guards, they may have been boring company and overly wary of everything she did, but at least she could have something to eat. This place wasn't Coruscant, and that angered her more than anything else.

I just want to go home. But she had no home now.

[member="Asterion"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Surprised by the speed in which the little girl stood up, flustered from the fall and spitting an equally quick reply, Asterion felt a ripple of venom in the girl’s aura – her Force signature. Her icy blue eyes and pale skin, partnered with her evident Force ability and tough attitude was enough to strike a sudden blow struck in the Knight as she turned away.

Kara?

Asterion was equally confused and shocked by how much the girl reminded him of his former Master, last seen on Teth as he turned his back on her and the Sith Order to seek a path where he felt more valued – but he had grown up since then, and felt there may be a way back. Was this girl it?

”Kara?”

He kept his eye on the girl and followed her, not needing to rush with his size over her, a few steps past market vendors and he was on her. Moving around her to stand before her, Asterion held out his hands to stop her.

”Wait, kid – who are you? Do you know me?”

He hadn’t expected this, but he was worried it proved something to him – he hadn’t let the Sith Order go.


[member="Evie Arden"]

 

[Lief]

His words were drowned out by the bustling market as the little girl hurried on, ducking and weaving between people. Then he was there again, before her, and she was down on her backside in the dirt once more. "Uft" she gasped, staring up at the man she had walked into. "What's your problem?" She asked, angrily, before shaking her head. Rising up from the floor she growled at him and tried to side-step him.

"I don't know you," she huffed, rubbing at her head... Yet she seemed more anxious and worried, her fiery front a way to hide her insecurities. Really, the way she looked up at him, Evie seemed fairly timid. It was only now that she truly looked at him. He was extremely tall and imposing, especially compared to Evie who was tiny compared to most of her age. Her eyes were wide, and she cowered back from him - suddenly extremely quiet, save for a very small apology which broke through her lips like a meek whimper.

[member="Asterion"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

Looking around, Asterion saw that no-one was really bothering about him talking to what, to many, may be a little pick-pocket or orphan stealing food from the markets. He knelt down on one knee.

”Drop the attitude, or it’s going to land you in trouble, ok kid?”

He pulled off his gloves and tucked them into his belt, above his lightsaber hanging there. He didn’t take his eyes of the girl.

”You remind me of someone I used to know. It’s scary, and I’m sure you must be related to her. Do you know the name Kara Vi’dreya, or Lady Kyros? Have you heard of those names at all?”

Asterion didn’t hope to sound intimidating or angry; he wasn’t. Just shocked and confused as to how someone so little could jolt a memory in him on a planet as insignificant as the next.


[member="Evie Arden"]

 

[Lief]

The little girl shifted back slightly when he knelt to her level, eyes widening. Her back struck the wall of a tall building, and her hands twitched at her side, she was doing her best to breathe and remain calm - she didn't want another accident to happen, that would only anger the man she knew.

"O-Okay..." she whispered fearfully when he threatened her, little head nodding to add to her agreement.

When he asked the question, Evie frowned and slowly shook her head, although she felt cautious about not giving this one what he wanted. She'd never seen a man quite so imposing before now. "I... I d-don't know what you're talking about..." she said, voice so quiet that her words barely reached him. Her icy blue gaze lifted and the eyes narrowed subtly towards him.

"I... I'm sorry" she said, her hands clenching into her dark robes. She really didn't like the robes, she begrudged her Master for having made her wear them, they marked her as out of the ordinary. The little girl ran a hand up through her hair and bit her lip, a tiny amount of colour rising in her cheeks as her stomach began to rumble noisily. "I... I have to go..." she said, yet she didn't move, fixed into place.

Her eyes were wide. Oh, was she going to be in trouble if her Master found her now.

[member="Asterion"]

 

[Stephanie Swail]

It wasn’t hard for one to read the signs the girl was giving off – fear, confusion, upset, tiredness. Asterion looked over his shoulder at a vendor, a Gran talking to a large Twi’lek surrounded by a variety of breads; round, long, thin, brown, yellow. With little effort, the Knight upturned his palm and called over a small round brown loaf of bread from a pile beside the vendor who didn’t even notice.

Taking it in his hand, Asterion turned to the girl and held it out.

”Just stop, it’s fine. Here. Eat. I don’t need the Force to feel your hunger.”

He rubbed over the long stubble on his chin and racked his brain.

”Please, I’m not going to hurt you. I just need to know honestly if you know the name. I’m trying to find a friend of mine – “ maybe a little lie, ” – and you really remind me of her.”

Looking around, he flicked his finger up, in a circular motion that scanned the marketplace.

”Want to tell me what you’re doing out here all alone wearing the robes of an Apprentice?”


[member="Evie Arden"]