Lake Country

  Mistia looked up at him and shrugged, thinking for a moment

     I don't know... I really don't        

  She looked down at Puck again as she nodded, not really knowing the universe, she couldn't really have a say in where they went

     That sounds wonderful

  Mistia rested her head on his shoulder and smiled at his words, she was indeed free wasn't she....

     Like I said Diamonte, I do not know this universe... I trust you completely in these decisions.

  She looked up at him and continued to smile
 
     I am glad that we are friends

  She blushed a moment while giving a very shy smile

     Perhaps we can be more...... some day

Traditionally speaking, people landed at spaceports.

Theed was the logical first choice; Alkor collected the landing data mid-flight as he broke atmosphere, but the returns came back erratic. The port was overflowing with activity, and more people were landing today than taking off. Something was wrong.

And the Force whispered tales of treachery.

Alkor Centaris mistrusted the cosmic energy more than most men, but he would be a fool not to heed it. It coule have meant anything: danger, hostility, abrupt change, confusion, or turmoil- the best option he had was avoidance.

Across the planet from Theed would be too far. The nearest Spaceport was a world away, and he would be more than a bit stunted if he tried to race against others for his prize. At least in the Lake Country, Theed was a mere shuttle ride away.

The unassuming snubfighter skidded to a jarring halt atop a grassy knoll. Alkor whipped forward from the wicked impact, but eased back into a comfortable sitting position. "Let's see," he mused, calculations and arrival/departure times scrolling across his Heads Up Display. "Here, in about half of an hour," he confirmed.

A simple shuttle would arrive from Theed and welcome a handful of men and women returning from a well-earned retreat. With a wry smile, Alkor hopped out of the X-Wing and headed toward the station. "Ah," he recalled the issue of a starfighter left behind in the Lake Country, and the trouble it might cause him later. "Best to tie up loose ends, I suppose."

It was a bitter moment. Alkor spent much of his youth in space, an adequate pilot in his own right. To simply detonate a ship because it was an inconvenience struck him as such a waste.

But, it was a necessary evil.

Boom!

As the Dark Jedi walked from the sweltering fireball that plumed skyward, he did not spare a backward glance. Ever forward, he concentrated on what was to come. My past is my own, he reminded himself solemnly from the words of his mentor, it is my weapon, and it will never be used against me.

The blaring sound of sirens slowly evaporated behind him.

Yama withdrew his enforcer pistol and set it upon the ground before him. His sword was slowly unsheathed; he had to do this quickly and as quietly as possible. Time seemed to slow as focus was brought up everything around him.

A cool breeze cupped Yama's face, the scent of his prey filling his nostrils. Taking aim he brought the .48 caliber enforcer pistol to bear on the old man, silencer on the end of it. Though old in appearance Yama knew better. The older ones , though weaker in physical strength were strongest in their magics they called the force.

These cults couldn't be trusted, both jedi and sith proposed to be the ones in the right, Yama only saw opponents, his next challenge.

The slow pull of the trigger followed by the recoil. In the blink of an eye the old man's peaceful, sleeping face was destroyed only leaving a gaping hole the size of a fist. Little was left to sit upon those shoulders.

Though there was little noise if any the sound of an exploding head, and the spray of blood, bone and brain matter covering the area brought both jedi's attention to bear upon the corpse of their friend.

The young boy let out a scream as his face contorted in horror. The knight on the other hand though stunned and taken aback turned to where the attack may have come from as his hand reached for a saber.

No sooner had Yama pulled the trigger did he leap out, his Massassi Ceremonial Blade drawn. The knight was yelling something unheard to the young padawan, his eyes meeting Yama's; he knew this was a trap, and there was no escape. As the jedi knight brought his saber up igniting the blue light, Yama was bringing his sword to bare upon the sword arm of the jedi. Metal met flesh slicing through the elbow in one movement. The force at which the Togorian swung with knocked the jedi to the ground; his saber going out as quickly as it ignited.

For good measure Yama brought a foot across the Knights head sending him flying across the campsite.

The sound of scrambling followed by an igniting light saber informed in the young one had snapped out of his stuper, told him the young was meant to attack. Spinning on his heels Yama caught the saber blade with his left paw, green light bathing Yama's face. Had it not been for the Crushgaunts he wore the saber would have gone right through his paw, as it stood this bit of knowledge shown upon the young ones face.

Horror once again shown upon his face as Yama brought his face down and forcefully commanded

"Drop it"

The young one dropped the saber which deactivated almost right away. Pointing his sword at the Knight, Yama continued on

"Your master is badly hurt and cannot protect you, now he needs you to protect him. Tell me all I need to know or I'll slowly kill him right before your eyes, after I'll knaw upon your face as you still breath."

The boy hastily shook his head mumbling that he'd do anything. Truth be told the Knight would probably bleed out, and the Atracurium that covered the blade meant the Knight couldn't move had he woken up from the trauma his body had just sustained.

The boy sang like a bird telling him how they had come after a holocron, that they had tracked it to this area but hadn't yet zoned in on the underwater location. The boy told Yama all that he needed to know in order to move on with his search. It was at this point the boy had noticed his master's chest had stopped rising, Yama noticed this as well. Both boy and Yama glanced at the now corpse and than back at one another; the boy shook in fear.

"You've done well, your master would be proud of you. He now watches us in the force."

These words seemed to put the boy to ease, he had just enough time to squeak out "Do you think so" when a massive paw covered the boys mouth muffin the screams that followed

"Let's give him something to look at!"

With that Yama dropped his sword and wrapped his now free hand around the boys neck and pressed down. A sickening crunch and several pops sounded as Yama ripped the head and spinal cord out of the lifeless body. Tossing the remains aside Yama set about his work.

Having gathered up the light sabers Yama secured them to his belt. His own weapons were holstered. The bodies were each visited one last time so he may tear out the heart and feed upon it. Eating the heart of your enemy granted you the strength of your enemy, and an edge; or so his religious mythos went. Every heart was eaten save for the old ma 's heart. That one went straight to the Gods, and in turn was burnt in the fire so the Gods may receive his offering .

Having taken care of business Yama vanished back into the forest in order to over his trail. The jedi and sith had a funny way of popping up after one of them had died. This way at least Yama would maintain the element of surprise and the edge.

Alora watched the shifts in moods as Raxxie claimed she was going to sleep. Raven thought that was a great idea. The pilot had been through a lot. She then noticed Loki speaking to Adi- shifting tones quickly as he realized just how injured the Arkanian was. She tilted her head curiously. Someone like Loki, statistically should not feel any remorse in regard to a wounded person, even a comrade and it certainly shouldn't change his tone of voice.

But then the universe made sense again when Loki turned to her, addressing her in his normal blunt voice- well ok, not totally making sense because he asked her to join him. She took a quick glance at Adieumus. Should I go kindly?
The Jedi Asked with a mock worried look. I hope you'll be alright. Get off this ship Adi- and go lay down somewhere.
She then turned and nodded up at the large Zabrak- following him into the ship. Soon them came to Loki's quarters and the two of them intered. Alora glanced up at him, relaxing her shoulders and tilting her head curiously. So- what's this about? Are you alright? She asked with some concern- though she didn't look the least bit uncomfortable with the odd situation. Indeed, she looked genuinely worried for the Zabrak's well being.

Raven listened as Loki began to speak about Dominic- or, rather, Dr. Mitchel. She gave a slightly amused smile and shook her head. Apparently the doctor can fend for himself then... She was obviously joking. Tilting her head, the Jedi shrugged. I mean, he tole me he was a doctor- but I don't think doctors fight knights of Ren ..so,
And that's where the conversation needed to end. Nothing else had to be said- or done.
Except- there was more.
Loki spoke of something in Dominic's possession, and soon the Zabrak lifted a bundle of fabric, using the force to unwrap the object being very careful not to touch it. Raven instantl became curious as to why Loki was using such care-
until she saw what the object was.
Immediately, the Jedi's eyes focused on the dagger, their color fading to a darker brown- and the mark on her chest flared just below her shirt. She suddenly felt like that dagger had just been plunged into her- with its white hot rage. And for a very short, freaky moment- Loki's image flashed away, being replaced by the visage of the dark shroud that was Legion.
Seconds later, The concerned face of Loki was staring down at her, waiting for answers- answers she was suppose to give him. She opened her mouth and called on her voice- that very powerful weapon of both destruction and hope- that thing which made up for her small stature- the calming nature of her own words.
But nothing came. in fact, the normally sturdy woman staggered back in recoil from the blade, her back smacking against the wall as her face drained of color.

Dom- Dominic had it.... you said?
Almost instinctively she reached out her small hand for the blade- its strange sentience pulling hard at the mark on the Jedi's chest, practically begging either her- or the annoyingly careful Zabrak to take its hilt and use its edge.
But Raven snatched her hand away before it ever got too close, and rested her palm against her chest. Some color started to return to her expression and she took in a very deep, slow breath, letting it out after a few seconds.
Forgive me- we...that dagger and I, have a, a past.
She looked downward at where her hand rested gently over the still smoldering mark- trying to will it to calm down. Her eyes began to soften as she began to regain her center.
But it's actually Anna's. Or rather- it's Legion's - a vial creature who took control of Anna years ago. I'm surprised she doesn't know it's on the ship. She peered at the weapon's dim runic etches and shook her head. You're absolutely right though. Don't handle it- It's not even safe with me- perhaps once....but not now. Anna shouldn't be allowed to find it. I have no idea how it will effect her but I'm almost certain it won't be good.
She considered then- what in the universe they should do with the dark object. For now.....She considered carefully. I've dealt with it before. I know what it's capable of, and even though it's not really safe with anyone- I think, it's safest with me until we can find a proper place for it- like, I don't know, the heart of a star or something....

Starting to calm down from the initial shock, Raven let a small laugh escape her at Loki's reference to Dominic. She shook her head with a relaxed smile. He tried to lie to an Empath... But I let him believe I bought his story, just so he'd feel better. She noted the surprise in Loki's eyes briefly, before he hid that way behind his normal visage. Even still, his emotions slipped through. She really should have been more stable. She never meant to startle the Zabrak, and gently she lowered her head- eyes to the floor self consciously. It had surprised her also- her reaction. The Jedi had forgotten how tethered she really was to this weapon and its creator.
But then she heard Loki's voice again- concerned, and she looked back up at him, pursing her lips in thought. Anna's not the only one chronically impacted by Legion's presence.
Gently- she reached up and unclasped the collar of her robe- pulling it away just enough to show her collar bone a little below.
When first inflicted- the small puncture wound was only a thin line interrupting the middle of the Jedi's chest, but over the years it had grown into a strange twisted mark of curling symbols and thin infectious lines, reaching along her color bone to her shoulders and just barely starting their journey up her neck. The dark etching trickled downward also, below her robe, and while it normally remained dormant and solidly black- in the presence of the dagger, edges of the symbols flared with fiery crimson light. And you're not the only one to dabble in Sith Alchemy.
She quickly clasped the collar of her robe back together and glanced off to the side- away from Loki and the dagger. I've never shown that to anyone before. I would appreciate it if this did not become public knowledge.
She blinked a few times and listened as he thanked her- Even on his knees he was taller than herself, but at least she didn't have to crane her neck to look at his face now. After he was finished speaking, she smiled at him, a warm smile, as if the dark object in the room didn't exist- at least for that moment.
I considered it an honor. I know it must be difficult for you to make sense of all these changes happening to you. But in the little time I've known you, I've only been impressed.
She took a breath. Don't think of it as becoming soft- or weak. Think of it more as, maturing within the force- getting closer to who you're meant to be. She smiled again and shook her head. And don't worry about frightening me. I'm use to helping  those who could turn right around and kill me for who I am. It's one of my bad habits.

Raven nodded toward the dagger but refused to actually look directly at it for the moment, as she nodded at his first statement. I know, I know you don't. Realizing you want to be something else, is the first step in becoming something better. She hesitated and blinked a few times. Or a worst person, I guess- but we're not talking about that right now.
She quickly compensated. He spoke about what he should do in the future and how he could not change the past. Most people in his situation would be crippled with guilt, but Loki seemed to have skipped that step, and all the better for him. You may never forget what you've done in the past- but the best way to honor those lives you have taken, is to not let your past hinder your future. You've already taken great strides to becoming a better person. When he asked his question about the darkside, the Jedi simply shrugged, out of character for most Jedi. Truthfully, she was surprised anyone still called her that anymore. The darkside is an unknown- it is chaos, it is unbridled emotion and rage. It is destructive. She began, seriously, looking at him with a firm gaze. But anyone who can control themselves within its power- and turn that destructive chaos into constructive stability- I can only envy that kind of control. I could never be bothered or disappointed in it. She glanced away with a sigh. Force knows I'd not do so well using Bogan's power. She gave a thin smile and shake of her head. Despite Loki's previous dark vision of the Jedi- it would truly be difficult seeing her as anything but the radiant Jedi she was, even with her unorthodox ideas. Her eyes, though seasoned with experience, were kind and constantly devoid of anger, and her aura was only that of calm desire to help.
She quickly glanced at the dagger when he spoke of using it, had this been in the past. She frowned and shook her head slowly. Unfortunately, that weapon would be using you, more than you would be using it. Anna can tell you. Anna can tell you a lot of things. Honestly, I believe that, had your connection to the force, even the darkside not been so strong, she might not have found you- and we might not have found her.
And finally, looking at his hands in contemplation, the large Zabrak asked a simple question, but one which held a depth even the universe couldn't give a constant reply to. Raven considered the man for a long time before speaking softly up at him. The only one who can redeem you, is yourself. Really- we're all changing, working to become better people. Shaking off the tattered, some times ugly and blood stained rags of the past, to replace them with new robes. There is no absolute point of redemption- there's just the question of, what do you want to leave behind, when you're gone. How do you want to be remembered?
She tilted her head curiously, wondering if he'd answer- or if he'd ponder silently.