Unforeseen

[Ballen-Ist]

It had been a month since Ballen-Ist's last encounter with [member="Luminara Rikanati"]. He had last been on Dathomir, with the albino Twi'lek alongside him. The two had had quite an interesting time, one that he couldn't exactly say he didn't enjoy. Regardless, time had past, and now the young pureblood found himself once more upon Coruscant, a planet he had left after being named a traitor for some reason. It was really irritating, for the youthful Knight knew he could have risen through the ranks of the One Sith easily. It would have been a promising career for the warrior, however not everything went his way. Instead of lazing about in one of the catinas, Ballen-Ist stood upon one of the tallest buildings within the lower levels, with a good view of the street below him. The dark side of the force had called out to him, and drawn him to this sector, much like his first meeting with the Twi'lek on Korriban. With his arms crossed against his metallic plated chest, Ballen-Ist's keen eyes would keep watch, apparently expecting the familiar female to show up sooner or later.

It was something that he was certain of, despite how illogical and random it seemed. Then again, when was this universe ever truly logical? The black, tattered cloak he wore would billow in the slight breeze that passed through, as the red skinned male looked upon himself to examine his belt. The number of weapons he possessed had decreased over time, leaving him with his trusty sword and original lightsaber, one he had received from his rival Maleus. Someone that hardly mattered to him anymore, given his dramatic increase of power. It was true that Ballen-Ist enjoyed fighting and training, however he could not deny that he had been slacking recently. Hopefully he would find that which he sought.

 

[Slot 19]

It didn't seem quite right. Normally Luminara had no trouble manipulating the hearts of men to do things for her. Today, however, it just felt boring. The group of men followed her through the streets of lower Coruscant like the dogs they were. A single toss of her pearly white black-striped lekku made all of them make smal sounds of wonder. She'd used her illusions a little too well this time. Sighing, she stopped in the middle of the street and put her hands on her hips, her deep red lips forming a frown. The men encircled her, asking what was wrong in loving voices. It wasn't so much what was wrong. It was what was right. She could sense a dark presence in her vicinity. It was very familiar.... "Boys," She purred, "take a walk..."

The men walked together away from her, each heading toward the end of the street: a drop-off with fast-moving speeders flying back and forth above it. Luminara's red-gold eyes scanned her surroundings, coming to rest on a the roof of a rather high building. A lone figure stood on it. She didn't have to think about who it was. "Is that any way to greet a lover? And anyway, if you were going to stalk me, perhaps you should've looked for a less conspicuous area to do so...."
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

From atop the building, the pureblood would watch as the men followed [member="Luminara Rikanati"], who he had spotted almost instantly. This sight was rather unsettling, though as he probed further with his sensing abilities, he found that they were under some sort of trance? Perhaps her illusions, for it seemed like they were heading towards their deaths. The Knight's brow would furrow as he watched the group fall, his attention now turning back to the Twi'lek as he smirked slightly. Using his ears and telepathic abilities, Ballen-Ist understood the gist of what the female had said, causing him to simply close his eyes, and shake his head from side to side as he continued to smile. Taking a single step forward, the dark clothed Sith would drop off the building's ledge, falling quickly, appearing to be shadow to some ignorant fools.

The young pureblood would make his way through the crowd, pushing past few, for many had the sense to move aside. Coming to a halt before the Twi'lek, Ballen-Ist would peer at her eyes from beneath his hood, still smiling as he began to spoke, "I don't have to stalk, Luminara. From up there, I can easily pick you out from the hundreds of others," he paused slowly craning his neck to look at the busy streets. "Shall we get out of here?"

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara's nimble fingers gently reached underneath Ballen's hood and stroked one of the ridges on his face. She'd nearly forgotten what they felt like. Removing her hand, she smirked. "Oh? But I was getting so used to having drooling idiots to walk all over." In reality, she couldn't wait to leave.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The young pureblood's eyes would close as [member="Luminara Rikanati"]'s hand ran across his smooth skin. Ballen-Ist felt strangely happy and content, for he knew he would be able to spend some time with the Twi'lek. The Knight's own arm would reach up, his gloved hand aiming to grasp the female's pale skinned one.

He figured that she was having some fun due to her comment, though it couldn't have been all that entertaining. He could sense her eagerness to leave through the force, it made him smirk even wider. The duo would begin to walk through the streets, the Knight leading Luminara to an unknown location. "What else have you been doing, other than killing off unfortunate fools?" He questioned, rather amused by her hobby.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara shrugged. "Oh, this and that. Going on a few skirmishes, back-stabbing a few Acolytes. Nothing too unique." She didn't mind that they were holding hands as they walked. It felt nice, in a sense. She gave Ballen a sideways glance. "And what have you been up to dear young Knight? You know, besides tracking me down?" She joked.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

"I just had to return the favor," Ballen-Ist continued the joke, referring to how she had tracked him down on Tantorus. After listening to what she had been up to the Knight simply nodded slowly, still finding it strange that [member="Luminara Rikanati"] was apart of the One Sith. Still pulling her along the streets, Ballen-Ist's chipper mood would disappear as he began to talk. "I've felt a disturbance...It's strange, and I'm not sure what it means," he begins, his neck craning to look the Twi'lek in her eyes, "but it has to do with the both of us for some reason..." The pureblood spoke almost quietly at this point, his eyes darting from side to side as he glared into the shadows. It felt like eyes were upon him. His eyes.

"Or maybe I'm just paranoid." The Knight concluded, remembering that he actually needed a place to take the female. He wondered what she wanted to do.

 

[Slot 19]

The Twi'lek cocked a painted brow. "Why so tense, Ballen? You're usually the last person to be afraid." She said in a mocking tone. She too could sense something strange about them. It didn't make her uneasy so much as curious to figure out what it could be.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The young Knight was definitely curious as well, though he was far more wary than anything. He didn't consider himself to be afraid at this point in time, however he knew he might be in the near future. Even so, Ballen-Ist would sigh quietly, smirking slightly as he listened to [member="Luminara Rikanati"]'s words. He wanted to talk with her for a moment, so the Knight decided to lead her out of the crowd and onto the sidelines, near the front of a few buildings.

"Afraid? No...Nervous? Yes. I sense great change approaching, though I'm still not sure in what. Maybe it'd be best to ignore," the youth concluded, shrugging his broad shoulders before looking the Twi'lek in her eyes. "What do you want to do, anyway? Perhaps there is a dojo nearby.." The pureblood contemplated, seeing as he hadn't fought in a long time. He wondered if Luminara would be up to some training.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara flashed a grin at the Pureblood. "That sounds lovely. It's been ages since we've sparred, and you look like you're getting a little.... soft......" She replied coyly, poking his hard stomach a bit. Some nice, even-ground combat would be nice for a change. And maybe a little "fun" afterwards...
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

In a sense, Ballen-Ist was getting soft. Not that he was out of shape or anything, it was simply the fact that he did not upkeep his traditional Sith ways that he used to in the past. Sure, he was still rather merciless and arrogant, though the Knight found himself doing less and less that allowed him to display such traits. That is why he loved being with [member="Luminara Rikanati"], for she was so exciting and dangerous no matter what. Reaching forward to slide his gloved hand gently along one of her lekku, Ballen would look down at her finger as she poked his toned torso.

"We'll see about that," he began, looking to her soft, majestic lekku as he let go of it. "I'm not sure I like all of these men following you around, even if they die after staring." The Knight spoke, admiring her before noticing that the dojo was right in front of them. If there was something that the Sith had retained, it was obviously his greed, for he wanted the Twi'lek entirely for himself. At least, he believed it to be greed.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara closed her eyes as the Pureblood ran his hand down one of her lekku, the most sensitive things on a Twi'lek's body. "It always amuses me when a man becomes possessive over a woman..." She replied. They walked into the dojo together. It wasn't grand or luxurious, but it would do. There were a few classes currently taking place. She smirked mischievously at the groups practicing their combat skills. "Oh, look at this. They learn so fast. But this will never do with so many people inside. Not for the scale our battles usually escalate to..." She said after clicking her tongue a few times.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The young Knight would step through the dojo's doorway, not stopping to hold the door open. Ballen-Ist simply took a few steps forward, his keen and youthful eyes looking around the large room, which was almost filled with trainees who were practicing on the lined tatami mats. After listening to [member="Luminara Rikanati"]'s remark and tongue clicking, the pureblood could only grin, not wanting an audience or any interference. Lifting a single gloved hand forward and pointing it's palm at the group, the Sith would begin to concentrate on his dark aura, releasing a gently wave of telekinesis that would carry his presence through the air.

The teachers and students would suddenly halt their exercises, slowly looking over to the doorway as the air around them seemed to become heavier. When unchained, Ballen-Ist's dark presence was overwhelming, thanks to his heritage and upbringing. It would work away at the minds of those within the establishment, causing them to panic due to the intimidating couple. After a few moments, the group would begin to make a run for it, leaving the building through a backdoor entrance. Given that they were in the lower levels, Ballen-Ist knew that he would not have to worry about any security or police enforcement. Striding into the middle of the large open room, the Knight would quickly tug off his black cloak, revealing his sheathed blade that hung from the side of his waist. Gripping it's hilt tightly with a gloved palm, the Sith drew his sword from it's scabbard, revealing the powerful blue electricity that bounced along it's metallic length. "We'll start with some sword play, though there is something I want to teach you," he commented, beckoning the female forward with a waggle of his finger and a smug smirk.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara sighed, mesmerized by the beautiful electric blue of Ballen's blade. She took her lightsaber in her hand and walked over to him, being sure to stop a suitable distance away from him. "Your methods for clearing a room must be legendary. I'm going to have to learn that one, too," She said with a smirk. She took a defensive stance, activating the crimson blade. It's light washed over her alabaster skin, making her almost appear to glow with it.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

The hand that had beckoned [member="Luminara Rikanati"] forward would begin to close in on the sword's hilt, now forming a two handed grip on the weapon. Lifting his arms into the air, Ballen-Ist would hold his blade high above his head, before beginning to concentrate a mass of his force energy into his entire body. His prowess in controlling the force would allow his perception of the world around him to slow, as he activated force speed and shot off across the soft arena floor. The pureblood would disappear in a blur of black, blue, and just a bit of red as he reappeared next to the Twi'lek. The Knight's speed was considerable, as was Luminara's. The youth was sure that she had gotten more practice in, and was looking forward to the challenge she would present.

Ballen-Ist's arms would begin to swing downwards, sweeping his shining blade through the air until it's tip ran along the ground. It would continue of course, slicing up into the air in hopes of disarming the Twi'lek.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara was ready. When Ballen came at her, she used the Force to match his speed. She deflected both of his swipes, keeping her saber firmly in her hands. She then ducked low, twirling her lithe body around him and taking a swipe at both of his legs.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

After performing his upwards swipe, Ballen-Ist found [member="Luminara Rikanati"] to be actually keeping up with him. That was interesting. Seeing as his arms were already held up high in the air, the young Knight would move them behind his shoulders, as his legs bent at the knees to lower himself to the ground. The pureblood's shining blade would be positioned along his back, held sturdily as it received the strike intended for his legs. It had been an awkward maneuver, for it had been employed at the last second due to how Ballen-Ist had underestimated the Twi'lek.

Pushing against her saber with his blade, the Knight would twirl on his feet as he moved his arms, spinning his body as he stepped back, and up to his full height. "Not bad...Though, it's possible to reach even greater speeds." Ballen-Ist would comment, watching the Twi'lek carefully with a playful smile.

 

[Slot 19]

Luminara gave him a playful grin in return. "Let's test that little theory, shall we?" Before the last word was uttered, she was upon him at double the speed from before. She was like a white whirlwind as she moved around him and lashed at every part of his being.
[member="Ballen-Ist"]

 

[Ballen-Ist]

"We shall," spoke Ballen-Ist, in a calm tone. His face clearly contrasted his voice, for his grin displayed the amusement he felt. Her increase in speed was intriguing, and left the purebred no other choice but to power up. While focusing more energy into his speed technique, the Knight's arm would lash out rapidly, adjusting it's angle and position many times in order to defend himself. [member="Luminara Rikanati"] was an Acolyte, but she was getting stronger. The warrior's blade would suddenly begin to swing with more force and momentum, batting away most of the Twi'lek's attacks. He really hoped they were not illusions, for an aura of crimson mist would begin to leak off the Site's body, after channeling the dark side into his body. The Knight groaned a bit as he has harnessed the power, using it to enhance his speed and strength. It was a painful process, thus prompting him to leap away from the female.

"This technique can be... Useful. I'll teach you it. " Ballen-Ist offers, awaiting her answer curiously.

 

[Slot 19]

((Oooooooo! force rage?? And, I just found out I've been PROMOTED!!! *happy dance* ))

Luminara smirked, tilting her head. "So many little tricks up your sleeve. And here I thought I'd learned about all of them in your bed..." She placed a hand on her hip, still brandishing her saber. "It seems useful, indeed. Please do."
[member="Ballen-Ist"]