Welcome Escape

[Kendrix]

A dark shadow casted over the Theowei home as it was closer to the morning hours than it was to dusk. Kendrix found herself tired but not sleepy. She was weary of the discomfort her master and her guest shared for each other. kendrix found the game tiresome so instead her hands shook his shoulder. She seeked to wake the form of the knight known as Mullarus. The night swallowed most of her form all except for the eerie glow of her reflective green eyes.

“Come,” Her voice softly commanded cooing to the young man as his eyes fluttered open. She had her own gear on. The stealth armor and her weapons upon her. She was dressed as if something eventful was about to happen. Her fingers found his hand as she pulled at him to rise. “Grab your armor. Our time dwindles.”

She helped him as much as she could keeping his boots in her hands until after she lead him out of her childhood home. From there she let him finally put them on after that she wrapped her fingers in his and lead him through the deserted streets. Theowei were creatures of sunlight few liked to be out in the dark. She hoped that his sleepiness would make him less questionable to the action taking place.

As they reached the forest, she quickened her pace until they were running. So many year have past since her time in the forest and yet the trees were still so familiar. She knew exactly were she wanted to lead them. Eventually they reached a meadow of fer’dûr, thick bioluminescent ferns common to retalik. The planets bathed the the two forms in a blue glow allowing them to see each other clearly.

“I am… not sure what to say now,” Kendrix admitted as she glanced at him then looked away tucking the hair behind her pointed ear.

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Mullarus slept uncomfortably in the small bed he was provided in the Theowei home that was, apparently, the childhood household of @Kendrix. He still felt like a prisoner, since he was forced here against his will. He still did not even possess his lightsaber, it had been days since he last held it. He was incomplete without it.

Suddenly, early in the morning, Baralin's soft voice and gentle touch on his bare shoulder woke him. He awoke rather suddenly, since he had slept lightly with the fear of being visited by a vindictive Mon Cal in the night. "What? Why?" he whispered, simply being ushered up. She said for him to put his armor on, and he trusted her, so he did. It took a few minutes, but finally, he was suited up. His hand was taken and lead out the door by Baralin, clad in her stealth armor. Questions flew through his mind, but she seemed in a rush, so this must have been a bad time to ask.

She suddenly led him to a meadow of glowing blue plants. It was beautiful, to put it simply, in Mullarus' eyes. Yet, he still wondered:

"Why, Baralin?"

 

[Kendrix]

Her eyes turned to the man once more her eyes fixed on the blue glow of his face. She paused finding herself staring into his blue eyes.

“My word is my promise. You are no longer bound to Limbthír or to me,” she spoke softly letting the words drip off her tongue. Yet a knot lodged itself in her throat impeding her speech. “I’m not one to keep company that doesn't want me in return. This will be your only night on Retalik if you choose. I arranged a transport to deliver you to Coruscant. He will leave just before dawn.”

Her eyes grew sad at the thought, but he would be safer this way in her eyes. Her master didn't think the same, but Kendrix knew he was in immediate danger here at least. Her heart worried if what Darth Veles said was true. If a taint would wash across the honorable Mullarus and turn him into a man who only seeked carnage and carnal pleasures. Her heart didn't want to believe it.

“I…” She turned away from him dor a moment before turning back slowly. “I wasn't lying when I said I wished to know you better, Arphenú-gar. Perhaps, I can learn the knight you really are… I wish you to know me as well.”

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

It suddenly occured to Mullarus of what was going on. Not about why the fishhead wanted to kidnap him in the first place, but he could tell what [member="Kendrix"] was implying. Mullarus didn't know women about as well as most men, but for some reason, he could tell this was set up by Baralin to be romantic.

For a moment or two, he couldn't find anything to say. He thought, until his mouth opened. "...You want me to stay here. With you. Don't you?"

 

[Kendrix]

She stood in silence. Her mind never thought of romance. The atmosphere was merely convenient in her eyes. Theowei had better sight in the dark after absorbing sunlight. How much better than humans? She didn’t know. She assumed that he might be completely blind in the dark. The luminescent ferns provided light for the two of them beyond that she was clueless to the romantic atmosphere. Only aware of this odd sensation she had in her stomach. She hadn’t felt it before meeting him and she had no idea if he had the same feeling as well. She remembered when they first met his eyes looked at her a certain way but now it seemed to have vanished. She wondered if time closed on the two. If nothing more would be there.

When he finally spoke his words made him sound like he didn’t have a choice. She shook her head, “I want you to be safe. I want you to decide for yourself if you wish to stay.”

He had until morning at least on Retalik. If he chose not to spend that with her then that was his choice. She would respect that. The fear inside her begged for the other option however. She wanted more time with him. More time to learn more about the Knight Mullarus. She wanted to trust him as well. It had been so long since she had a friend she could talk to.

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

For a moment or two, Mullarus stood awkwardly staring at the blue plants. He did want to leave, but really, he could arrange to catch a transport off world anytime. After all, he told [member="Kendrix"] he wanted to see Retalik, why not see it now with her when she was practically begging to do something with him.

He walked away for a second and sat down on a tree stump, "Got any good places to go see, then?" he said with a smirk.

 

[Kendrix]

Her heart sank for a second as he started to walk away. It hurt but she prepared herself to accept it. It was all she had ever know. Why should he be different? He then surprised her. Sitting down instead of leaving. She huffed and smirked herself her chin raised lightly as she watched him. Any places to see? There was one that immediately came to mind. A part of Theowei history lost long ago.

"Do you like history?" Her accent seemed to get thicker as she spoke. "Long ago the Theowei of Crovhana and the Theowei of Lagnok fought each other during Crinthad In-Gwenur. I told you of this war a few days ago. Remember? Crovhana thrives and is were most Theowei live, including my family, while Lagnok lays abandoned and in ruin. Most Theowei believe it is cursed in eternal darkness. It is not. Yet they are still frightened of it like children."

She chuckled lightly grinning at the thought of touring the ruins again after so long, "Would you like to see Lagnok? it is almost as large as Crovhana. Time has not been as kind however."

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

[member="Kendrix"]

A subtle smile crept onto Mullarus' faceas Baralin went on about the history of a particular Theowei culture-rich location, apparently having to do with the war between the bloodthirsty Arphengar and...whoever the other side was. Mullarus found himself unable to remember. Even more reason to go back.

"History repeats itself hundreds of times across the course of time. It is, perhaps, the most important thing a man can learn to be prepared for the future." he answered, standing up. "As long as I won't require a lightsaber, I have no problem. You will simply serve as my bodyguard. I do still have my holocom, though, so if you give me a moment, I will have to find a place I can make a call to a few people and let them know I am not dead or missing."

Assuming she'd allow him, Mullarus would excuse himself further into the woods and opened up his holocom. "Send a message to [member="Darth Pyrrhus"]." he said, hitting the button, beginning the recording. "Master, assuming my captor's package has reached you, you must be in possession of my lightsaber. I can explain the situation, and I shall do so now. I was called to the aid of a Sith Lord on coruscant about a traitor going in to steal something of his. During my investigation, I engaged the enemy and was kidnapped by the traitor. His name is Darth Veles, a Mon Calamari who appears to be an ally of The Covenant of the Black Rose. He took me captive for reasons I still do not know, and now I am here on Retalik with the woman responsible for me still being alive and recording this message for you. She is the apprentice of the traitor, and saved my life by convincing her dishonorable bastard of a master to spare my life. I am now here with her, and I am out of the traitor's clutches thanks to her. I do not require any rescuing, if you intended on that, Retalik is a peaceful world and I would appreciate it if it were kept that way. I shall return to Sith space within a few days. Please, keep my lightsaber warm, Lord Pyrrhus. Mullarus out."

Along with his message to his master, who know doubt had been making preparations to send out a fleet to rescue his apprentice, Mullarus would send messages to Captain Jones, who served as the Captain of Mullarus' flagship, the Vanguard-class Heavy Cruiser called Paladin, and to Stripe, the representative of the Amaran servants that serve Mullarus at his manor on Ragoon VI, letting them all know he is not dead and not in danger.

As for the fish man who wronged Mullarus and took him captive against his will, he would make sure his name is permanently branded as a traitor and an enemy of the One Sith. One day, Mullarus would seek to battle the man in single combat, but today was not that day. Veles is a powerful Dark Jedi, and Mullarus still had a ways to go before he would stand a chance. Just like the Jedi Padawan that bested him on Balmorra, Mullarus would use his humiliation at the hands of the Mon Cal to build himself in strength and power until he could one day turn the table on him and bring the vindictive alien to his honorless knees.

 

[Kendrix]

Kendrix allowed him although she followed him in the silence of the night and listened to at least his call to his master. She worried for her home and if he might order a strike on it. No. Thankfully. She returned to the spot where he sat the stump and sat down herself leaning back to look up at the stars. How she missed them. Almost as much as she missed her father. She glanced back at him when he returned her eyes showing the sadness despite hold her chin in that brave defiant way.

“Come,” She stood and lead him deeper into the forest the blue ferns lighting this part of the forest. The ruins were a piece away but it didn’t take long for the two to get there.

What was once rich farmland two hundred years ago was now swallowed by the forest. The Lagnok Ruins blended into the trees until the moment the two young sith stepped through the large broken wall of the once great city. The vines and roots of the trees claimed the large structures for themselves leaving all to wonder why the forest tried to over take this mangled place.

“This part was the market quarters,” She pointed to different buildings. “You can see the large openings where they presented their wares. Nothing of value remains however.”

She smiled and moved her eyes as though she were watching people walking and buying from the merchants. She moved around the area as well remembering it with every glance she gave it, “When I was little, I came here and played that this was my city, and I was their queen.”

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Mullarus followed [member="Kendrix"] to the ruins of Lagnok. The trek there was calming, the silence of the woods in the night brought comfort to the Knight's mind after becoming accustomed to hallways and corridors full of white-clad stormtroopers, black and grey uniformed officers, and other noisy, busy military personell.

Yet, even as he followed the thin figure that was the theowei woman he admired and appreciated for saving his life, he couldn't cease to think of where his lightsaber may be. Such an exotic weapon had taken him days to complete, and he had grown sentimentally attatched, unlike his first, less-unique weapon with the green Ilum crystal he never did recover.

Finally, walls appeared. Or, ruins of what once was a wall. He followed the theowei hybrid through the ruins, listening to her soft voice, like one from the throat of an angel, talk about the history of the city. He could tell she felt something for what the city used to be, for she never stopped smiling, and from where Mullarus stood with the sun beginning to rise, her smile was the most beautiful sight he had seen in these ruins.

 

[Kendrix]

Her eyes didn't even seem to notice the night giving away to dawn. She was too focused on the ruins to notice the change. She motioned for him to follow then led him deeper into the shattered remains of Lagnok. As they walked the building only seemed to get bigger and more elegant in shape despite being weather worn and the forest growing up around it. She stopped them in front a manor. Still designed with the torn flags of Lagnok. A large tree took over one of its roofs the roots and foliage taking over the front door making it imposible to get in that way.

"The tree keeps us out, or maybe it wishes to keep the darkness in?" Kendrix smirked at Mullarus after her teasing. "I am not worried about the dark. Come. We can get in up there."

She pointed upwards at a window on the second story. she immediately went to the door and began to climb on the roots leaning them up to the next balcony from there all they had to do was shimmy to the window and enter the large establishment. After getting inside she walked back down the stairs as she still knew where she was going. Leading Mullarus along the way past a dining table still set with the silver dinnerware. Flags and decorations still present as well. As if who might have been here simply vanished. She lead him to the great hall and to the throne chair where the King of Lagnok sat at one time. She walk past it first going to a hole in the wall and reaching through lifting out a gold and jeweled goblet. Her hand wiped it off slightly then she sat in the king's throne. Her legs leisurly thrown over the chair arm as her back rested against the other.

"Servants, more wine!" Her voice echoed as she held the stem of the goblet between her fingers and reached it out to the invisible servant. Her eyes then pretended to catch Mullarus. "Knight Mullarus, you have returned! I pray you were successful in slaying the belegannabon?"

Her lips curled at her play then she pretended to sip at her freshly poured wine.

[member="Knight Mullarus"]

 

[Krux Mullarus]

Mullarus followed her, gazing up at the sky as blue turned to orange. Of many things, Retalik certainly was a beautiful world. Theowei culture was interesting, too. They had a very peaceful community. It would be a tragedy to see it dragged into modern politics and warfare. It reminded him of Ragoon VI before the Sith claimed it, a reason it was the world he chose to settle a manor onto.

When [member="Kendrix"] pointed out that they had to climb into the second-floor window, he shuddered a bit. Mullarus would charge into battle against legions of soldiers pointing blasters at him and command entire armies from orbit in the middle of a space battle, but one thing he always dreaded was agility. Climbing always led to falling, and fall far enough and any being large and strong enough would become a victim of gravity, the most fearsome enemy in the galaxy.

Especially with his armor on, Mullarus had to use every inch of willpower in his body to keep in step with the small-framed, nimble, theowei woman who no doubt had far more experience than him at this sort of thing. He struggled to keep his grip on many protrusions, but eventually, after his giant foot nearly slipped off the windowsill, he at last climbed through the window and fell to his knees, feeling blessed to be on solid ground once again.

When passing through what appeared to be an empty dining hall, questions arose. It looked as if whoever lived here had left everything. The place wasn't even looted. "What happened her-" His question was interrupted by Kendrix seeming to jest about calling over servants and Mullarus, roleplaying a Knight of old times, who slew something which his human tongue found difficult to pronounce.

"Uh..." He awkwardly adjusted the collar of his armor, playing along to humor his theowei companion, "Y-yes, m'lady, I was." Clearly, Mullarus was not much of an actor.