Moira
This human female is about 5 foot 5 inches in height. She is probably in her early twenties, though something about her makes her look younger. Perhaps it's the expression in her blue-green eyes. Not quite innocence, but something akin to it. Moira has a kind face, heart shaped with a gently sloping nose. She's pale of complexion, not exactly sickly, but not tan. One might get the impression that tanning is impossible for her- too much sun would surely cause her skin to burn. Her hair is ash blonde and board straight, pulled back in a ponytail to keep it out of her way. Her face bears an open and friendly look, completely free of any artifice or insincerity. An Ossus native, the girl's voice bears the slightest accent, the only remainder of home she carries with her. The only other unchanganging feature of that girl that is Moira, is a ring that she has recently added to her right ring finger. The non-wedding band hand. It's a pair of wires, black and white. But they seem to be molded of the same material- only upon very close observation do they seem separate.
She's clad in a button up shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It's a cream color, made of something fairly lightweight. Tears can be seen around the collar, as if that part of the shirt has been mishandled, and she's missing her topmost button, so the shirt hangs open to just below her collarbones. Multi-pocketed brown pants cover her legs, and it's all held together at the waist by a belt with several pouches. One can never have enough storage space. Attached to a clip on the belt is a matte gray cylinder. Bruises line her exposed forearms, long oblong shapes- like fingers. The girl's hair is slipping messily from the ponytail, and there is bruising over her right eyebrow. Her right eye is also slightly swollen, as if she's taken a blow or two to it.
Gold Digger Tavern -- Perave Arkania
The upbeat music of a quartet band is the first thing you notice when you enter the tavern. The interior is circular, and the floor is crowded with round tables and chairs. Along one wall is the bar, complete with stools and a pair of tall, thin Arkanian bartenders. Aliens, humans, and creatures of every stripe imaginable mill about the tavern, which is crowded at all hours, day or night. The West Side of the tavern has a sectioned off area where patrons can go to look out onto the open tundra of the planet, day or night. The din of conversation is all around, as people speak in dozens of different languages and drink all manner of exotic beverages.
Tai Jinn enters the tavern.
Zarred sits at the bar sucking down some form of beer.
Ah, Cantina's are such a wonderous place to visit from time to time. Stepping into the warmth of the shelter, Tai arrives shuddering from the cold against his flesh a bit. Looking around, he heads towards the bar and sits down, motioning to the bartender. "Give me a shot of the hardest stuff you got, need to warm myself up." Getting a chuckle of sorts, the glass is placed and filled with a blue liquid. Lifting it, the young Tai downs it in a single gulp and shakes his head at the bite.
Zarred looks over from where he sits at the new arrival at the bar thinking about all the loners that have come up missing around here lately and chuckles lightly to himself. He again sips from his beer as he turns back to the bartender asking for another ale.
Pounding his glass against the bar, Tai indicates yet another shot. Receiving it, he drains it down once more and shudders before looking about the bar. Several faces and forms seem to catch his eye, but the one that draws the most interest is the chuckling man nearby. Smiling and nodding towards the man, he speaks towards him a bit. "This planet is so much different than Ithor... frozen worlds are such a horrid place to have to visit for shipments, eh?"
Zarred seems a bit suprised to be talked to by anyone on this hole. "Aye, but there are wide profit margins to be had if ya know what to buy and sell." His eyes glance over the person speaking to him. He yawns a bit and sips his ale a bit. "What's a kid like you doin here? Y'all don't look like no trader I seen."
"Kid?" Tai chuckles a bit and motions for another drink. Man, the kid certainly can hold his liquor at least. "I'm hardly a kid... And I'm not exactly a trader either. Just a man in search of a lost friend. And yeah, I know... it's a sad, sad sappy story." Again, Tai chuckles before draining his drink again. "So what types of goods actually would make profit on this rock?"
Zarred shrugs. "Whatever accumulates when people forget about this place for months on end." He quirks a brow and looks at his drink. "Lost a friend did ya? What was his name?" He's seen a lot of people come onto this planet and not leave. "Mayhap I can help."
Nodding a bit towards the man, Tai moves from his seat to one closer. "That's the thing, it's not actually my friend... it was a friend of a friend, and I don't know her name." Sighing, he shakes his head and takes another drink. "Really a messed up story, but I owe this friend big time for helping me out throughout life, so I'm going to do what I can to track this chick down. The only thing I know is that she wore robes of some sort... you know, the type you see people wearing? Brown robes, white under robing type stuff..." Yeah, the classic Jedi outfit.
Zarred nods. "Oh, the force chick, yeah, I saw her." He yawns again. "Seen her leave with some wierd looking guys, she didn't seem happy about it but they were talking a long time too." He cracks his neck sharply. "Bout 5'5", early 20's, maybe younger, long straight ash-blonde hair? Sound like her?"
"Heart shaped face? Blue-green eyes?" Tai inquires towards the man swallowing hard and trying to keep the pit of his stomach under control. Only one Jedi he knew fit that description perfectly... "Yeah, that's her alright. What can you tell me about the guys she was with?" Somehow, Tai forces a smile upon his face.
Zarred nods simply. "Yeah, cute girl." He shakes his head and chuckles until he remembers the guys she was with. "Just big, scary" He shivers a bit in rememberance. "Not like the usual slavers." He pauses a moment. "Darker."
Again, Tai blinks a bit. "Slavers? She was talking with slavers?" Hmm, definately intriguing. "Do you have any idea where the slavers might have taken her?" A good thing at this point is the fact that Tai is still in control of himself and not going off a wall. His greatest fear is at hand.
Zarred shrugs a bit. "Coulda been slavers, didn't look like em but could have been on this hole." He looks around the bar. "Lots of em around here. Got to watch your back and all."
Nodding a bit and lifting his drink, the young man nods a bit. "Yeah... thanks for the warning. Got any idea at all where they might have gone with her?" Smiling, he looks over to the man. "I'll offer you what little money I gots if you can point me in the right direction... I really owe my friend big and this is the closest I've gotten so far."
Zarred scratches behind his ear a moment. "A little money ain't a big enticement to be givin out information like that around here bud." He considers a moment. "How much ya got?"
Looking into his pockets, Tai sighs and puts his head on the bar exasperated. "Nothing apparently... I don't have any money on me. Musta gotten pick pocketed... man, what a day..."
Zarred nods and chuckles. "Yeah, too bad." He turns back to the bar and takes another drink. "Bartenders gonna be upset about that I am sure."
Sighing, Tai nods his head. "I'll just pawn something off I guess to cover it. I'm sure I got something of value on me that someone would want." Looking at the man sitting next to him, he quirks an eyebrow a bit. "Even without any financial reward... is there anyway you could help me out here?"
Zarred turns to face the man again. "What about that?" He points to the pendent. "What's that?"
"This?..." Tai asks, lifting it up and holding it very very dearly. "This is a gift given to me by the most beautiful and wonderful woman in the galaxy."
Grinning he looks at the man. From his tone of voice, it's probably not for sale. "I probably got some Republic creds around here somewhere." he comments, resuming his search of his body for money.
Zarred shrugs. "I'll take that ya got nothing else, boring burg after all." He yawns widley and scratches his ear again. "Got a good idea of where they went too."
On accident, Tai kicks the counter a bit and then looks up at the man. "How about a pair of new boots?" Boots... Interesting. "They're brand new, only worn them twice now. They're worth about 300 Creds in the Republic..."
Zarred shakes his head. "Don't need boots." He shows his own new boots. "And I don't wanna end up a shoe salesman." He sniffs loudly. "Did I mention those guys was big?"
"Yeah, you did..." Tai grins at the man a bit. "Big doesn't worry me though. I'm just supposed to find her anyway." For a moment, he sits and patiently thinks for a moment, trying to come up with some type of trade, but he really has nothing. "Is there anything I can offer you for this information?"
Zarred looks back at you. "Told ya kid, the pendent seals the deal." He sniffs loudly. "Could probably lead ya right to em."
Slowly, the man removes the pendant from around his neck and holds it in his hand. Looking at Zarred, Tai nods a bit. "Alright. The Pendant... but you lead me to them first then I give it to you."
Zarred nods. "Course." With that he pushes away from the bar paying the bartender for the drinks. "Come'on kid, let's go." He heads for the door.
Standing up, Tai follows. Pausing for a moment, he looks back to the Bartender and smiles a bit. "Hey, add my drink to Simon Farranger's tab." Getting an odd look but a nod from the Bartender, Tai turns and follows Zarred out chuckling slightly.
Diamond Square -- Perave Arkania
A rather confusing name for this area of Perave, as the square is not square in shape, but more shaped like a diamond. The cardinal exits to the outdoor bazaar are at the corners of the 'square' rather than along the sides. In the center of the square, solidly fixed into a stone foundation, is a massive gem that is easily 50 meters tall. The gem is not diamond colored, but a dingy yellow color. A plaque at the base of the monument indicates this was the largest diamond mined in the first 100 years of mining on this planet.
Around the square are multitudes of shops and merchants, hawking their wares and 'goods' to new arrivals. This is the center of Perave's tourist trap. Anything from fake diamonds to fake holopictures of the tourist standing over a hoard of diamonds are sold here. The road to the east leads up a hill to a public shuttle station for travel across the continent.
Zarred stands outside the bar waiting. "They was over in trade city. We should hit the shuttle."
Rubbing his arms against the cold, Tai nods. "Alright... Shuttle's to the East, isn't it?" Already though he's heading in that general direction.
Zarred nods and follows.
*RP'less Travel*
Town Square -- Trade City Arkania
This is the central point in town where most of the free-lance prospectors and visitors come to trade goods and stories. The center of the building. A massive umbrella tree buried deep in the enriched soil there looms up overhead, providing some relative shade for those lucky enough to find a place to sit or stand within the 50 foot radius of shade. The tree is obviously not native to the planet, but thanks to the special underwater irrigation put in place for it, it has thrived in Trade City for over a hundred years.
Tai Jinn enters the town square from the south.
Zarred points up the tundra pathway. "Up this way is the last way I saw them heading. Ya got to be careful when out in the tundra though, easy to get lost."
Smirking slightly, Tai turns and looks at the man. "Yeah, I got a keen sense of direction though... it's funny, got lost out on Corellia once in the forest and managed to wander around for 4 days only to find out I was about 2 miles from a city and had been walking around the outside of it for that entire time."
Zarred nods. "Yeah, that's keen." He deadpans back. "I'll go with ya." He heads north.
You head north towards the city gates.
Town Gates -- Trade City Arkania
This is the northern edge of the small trading town. A very large wall runs the entire length of the northern end of the town. Set in the center of the wall, at the end of this road, is a massive gated archway. The heavy, durosteel doors are sealed closed and do not seem to be readily opened. Several small homes line this end of town.
Tai Jinn appears from the square to the south.
Zarred heads towards the open tundra zipping up his jacket. "Let's go kid."
You get the door open and commit yourself to the open tundra.
Open Tundra -- Wilderness Arkania
The vast tundra of Arkania's wilderness stretches out in every direction. Rocky landscape rises and falls and everything seems to look the looks for small prey. Looks like a choice of directions: North, South, East or West.
Tai Jinn emerges from another tundra hill.
Following along behind Tai steps into the frozen wasteland, still dressed in just his shorts and T-shirt as if he was going to a beach as opposed to an arctic enviroment, his shivering has stopped and he seems rather at ease.
Zarred heads northward. "You're a nut kid. I ain't carrying you back when you freeze to death."
You cross another tundra and find yourself in ...
Northern Plateau -- Wilderness Arkania
You arrive onto a small plateau on the edge of the tundra. The vaste openness in every direction is mind-boggling, although a settlement can be seen far off to the south. Of coure, a being takes a chance on getting lost out there if they don't know what they are doing. A well-worn path leads down the plateau to the northeast into a shallow canyon.
Tai Jinn emerges from another tundra hill.
"I won't freeze to death." Tai states fairly assured, looking at the man, he quirks an eyebrow. "Where are we going anyway?"
Zarred leans into the wind a bit. "There's a canyon ahead, old mine there. If someone was gonna be taken out here they are going to be taken there."
The wind blowing doesn't affect Tai in the least so he doesn't lean forward, the whole guise he's been displaying is slowly just getting less and less detailed. The entire time of their journey he's been stretching out with the force in order to try and see what he can sense, but thus far he's come up dry. Nodding towards the other man, he smirks a bit. "Well, let's keep heading I guess... you know the way."
Zarred heads for the canyon.
You move down the path to the canyon.
Diamond Canyon -- Wilderness Arkania
This shallow canyon is well-shielded from the winds of the open tundra and makes a good campsite. There are even firepits and remains of a former campsite along the northern wall of the canyon. No sign of the campers though. Along the eastern wall of the canyon, a crevice has been widened by explosives. The most likely reason is to allow access for repulsorsleds, like the completely broken one to one side of the crevice entrance. Fifty feet to the north of the crevice is a small shack. To the southeast is a path that leads up to a plateau.
Tai Jinn comes down the path from the plateau.
Zarred points to the crevice. "Down there's were it would be." He shivers into the cold.
"It?" Tai inquires towards the man, not shivering. "What exactly am I going to be seeing down there?"
Zarred shrugs. "Slavers most likely." He gets a shiver again for no aparent reason. "Maybe your friend and all. I meant the slaver camp by /it/"
(pemited to Tai)You feel very cold. Something dark emitnates from the crevice, not visibly but a feeling of darkness. It feels like it is reaching out to envelope you and its touch is cold.
Looking over towards the man as even Tai himself feels the darkness touch him, he asks towards Zarred. "Alright... thank you for your assistance. I can proceed from here alone." Reaching into his pocket, he takes out the Pendant and offers it to the man, the deal having been carried out on his end, Tai will uphold his part.
Zarred takes the pendent and looks at it. "This girl means a lot to you?"
"I want to spend my life with her." Tai responds with a slight grin towards the man. "You know, the one you find only once in your lifetime... the type you hold onto."
Zarred nods as some sense of honor comes over him. "I'll go in with ya then. Wouldn't want to leave ya here to get lost."
Blinking slightly Tai nods. "Alright. Stay behind me though..." Now the young Jedi takes the lead, heading down into the Crevice and presuming the man will follow. Down into the darkness.
You move through the crevice and into the diamond mine.
Depleted Diamond Mine -- Wilderness Arkania
The crevice turns into a wide path that rings a massively deep and dark cavern. The path winds down around the perimeter of the cavern edge until it halts at a somewhat sturdy mechanical lift large enough for several beings and a repulsorsled. Using a lighting device, one can see how the cavern has massive tunnels branching off in numerous directions. At each level is a wide path that runs the perimeter of the cavern's circular wall.
A feeling of darkness envelopes you as you enter the cave. No matter what you wear or who you are you feel cold. Freezing cold. The walls of the cave are lined with shackles all apearently empty spare one set where a woman is bound in them.
The woman is one Tai can nearly instantly recognize, however he doesn't just rush in. Instead he makes his way patiently. The cold racks his body, chilling it's very core even though the outside conditions could do nothing to him. His hands find their way down to apparently sit in his pockets but are most likely resting near something else. Why is it that this woman is here, captured as such and unable to get herself out... More is going on than meets the eyes.
Zarred steps in behind the kid and looks about. Some form of corellian curse crosses his lips before he says. "Damn cold in here idinit?"
Moira is that girl in chains. Lucky her. And the girl's looking bad- her shirt torn and hanging oddly at the neck, bruises dotting her arms and her eye all puffed up. One might ask, why would the Jedi Padawan just heal herself? Well, the answer might be found in why she's not shaking from the cold- all her attention is on using the Force to keep from freezing to death. She's conscious, but it's not apparent until she looks up, squinting through the darkness towards the sound of the voices. "Who...?" Wait. That's not Tai. Tai's on Coruscant, why would he come to Arkania? How would he know how to find her?
Looking to his companion, Tai nods a bit towards him. "Indeed, very frigid." Then, hesitation is brushed aside as he's close enough to see Moira's condition. Walking towards her his hand comes from his side again, this time holding Kouhei. The blade is ignited and glows in the cave for a moment. Approaching his fellow Padawan a single swipe is take towards Moira's chains with the intent to break them apart so he can get her and get out of here. A brief thought is sent in her direction. 'I'm here.'
Zarred steps in after the kid. "I knew you was one of those force thingamajigs." He looks at the girl too. "That your girl?"
As the chains holding Moira to the wall are broken, the girl's knees sag. Thump. She hits the floor, grimacing before diverting some of her attention from keeping warm, to keeping from feeling the pain. But of course, the cold hits and now she's shivering. Scrambling to her feet, she grabs for the bag nearby, which holds Dearou. "I don't know how you're here, but thank you." Moira says, quietly. Her voice is a little hoarse and scratchy. Apparently her captors haven't been giving her anything to drink.
Looking to Zarred as he speaks Tai only allows a small smirk on his face. "Yes, this is her..." But after that he returns his attention to Moira. Deactivating the seemingly dysfunctional Kouhei, it's put back in full view on an outer belt clip as he slips an arm about Moi's waist to assist her.
(Tai refers to the saber as dysfunctional because he was pemited that the blades glow seemed dimmed)
"Thank me later, for now ... Let's get out of here." Let's get out of here is a perfect line for any situation really if you think about it. You're in danger, let's get out of here. You want to have a romantic interlude, let's get out of here. Food is bad? Let's get out of here... Supporting Moi, Tai begins to head in the direction from which they came.
Zarred doesn't wait much as he turns to leave this place. "So damn cold." He reminds everyone who might have forgotten, like you could. He stumble over a rock in the dark falling with a loud thump. "Damn."
"Who's that?" Moira inquires. Great, and she's usually so polite and tactful. Guess if you beat her up she loses some of her poise. And getting out of there sounds great to her- she grips onto Tai's shoulder like her life depends on it. And hey, it probably does. Who or whatever has been holding her obviously doesn't want to serve her tea and crumpets.
Scanning for the fallen Zarred, Tai crouches a bit to help him up as well as they make their escape. "This man assisted me in finding you... Are you fit to travel back to the main city Moira?" Because if she's not, Tai'll have to come up with something else...
Zarred tries to stand on the now injured leg. "Oh, oh, damn." He thumps back to the ground. "Think I may have a problem here." Grunting is heard as the man struggles to stand again. *thump* "Damn damn damn."
"I...I don't know. But we can't stay here." And that last statement is very definate. She's not afraid of whatever it is, but she doesn't sound too keen on it coming back, especially not with her injured as she is. Then Moira stops to listen to the grunts of pain. "Tai...I think he's hurt."
Well, if it's not one thing then it's another. Looking to the injured man, Tai kneels down to check the wound when it dawns on him that he can't do anything with the force in this cavern... Letting his arm around Moira's waist go for a second, he slips both his arms under Zarred and slowly lifts the man up, cradling him. "Moi... I need you to be able to make it just out of this cavern so I can help heal you two."
Zarred coughs as the kid tries to help him. "Just leave me here kid, I ain't no one to get in the way of true love." He grunts as blood splatters against the fabric of his pants evidently the result of a compound fracture.
"Help him, Tai. I think I can walk." Moira smiles valiantly and tries to walk out...gets 4 steps, and her knees give out. Great. Tai just can't win.
Screaming would be such a valid option at this point. Ok. Who's worst off... Neither really. He could easily take care of both of them... but his mission was to rescue the Jedi, rescue Moira... his love. But at the sake of an innocent? No. "Moira, I'm going to get him outside and come back for you." With that, Tai continues to carry the compound factured man out of the cave to get him set down before returning for Moira.
Kashan has arrived.
A sudden darkness falls over the area, as if night had suddenly come to a bright sunny day. A lone man stands in the path leading out of the cave. The red tufts extending from his skull catch first attention, but that color against his pasty-white skin causes a quick second glance. He's garbed in black, and the armor he wears does not look to be for show. When two more dark presences are felt behind, the cavern suddenly takes on a very evil feel. Two more characters arrive from the shadows, one female and one very armored looking warrior. The warrior is garbed completely in red, up to and including the armored collar and breathmask he wears.
Zarred looks up at the new people in the room and reaches for his blaster....which is on his ship. "Uh, kid." He asks wondering if the force thimgamjig kid saw the people enter.
Moira inhales, gathering what strength she can, and stands. "Hello again." And out comes Dearou, where she can hold it firmly in her palm. Not that that'll really help if she was already captured and defeated. She doesn't ignite it yet, though, waiting to see what happens before making a move.
Tai, one man in his arms is definately getting pinched everywhere by people who are wanting to make his life difficult. Setting Zarred down, he turns and faces the people Moira's addressing, taking a step forward he puts himself in front of the rest, feeling the coldness that emenates from them... the dark energies. "Moira... try to get you and that gentlemen out of here... I'll join you in a second." His hands remain at his sides once again, but Kouhei is in plain sight... and ready for use most likely should any of these other beings make one wrong move. "I'm taking my friend and we're leaving here..."
Sik'nev leers at Tai as he flicks his wrist and his Sith sword whips into view. Another sword can be heard clearing a sheath behind Tai but it isn't the red warrior. In his hand is a black hilt with a gray button. With a SNAP-HISS the red blade extends from the hilt. Without even uttering a word, the red-garbed Sith extends a hand and shoves Moira a few feet forward, towards Sik'nev. Gurt, the female, charges Tai with her ebony Sith sword swinging.
Zarred sits back on the ground. "We're in trouble aren't we kid?" He asks like a man who has been sent to the principal's office. "A lot of trouble." He grunts as he tries to pull himself over towards a wall so he can at least die standing.
Well, that solves the 'how are we gonna get out of here' problem. With a hum particular to lightsabers, the sepia blade extends and Moira raises it to a defensive position. Ow. Cold and pain floods her as some of her focus goes to trying to sense the action around her. Bruises and dents can be fixed. Beheading can't. Moira seems, for once, to be at a loss for words. Maybe she used them all earlier, who knows. She does have the sense to try and position herself in front of Zarred, or at least as in front as she'll be allowed to be, without getting in the thick of Tai's battle. Moira is, however, propelled with some force and even backing up doesn't take her too far from Sik'nev the Terrible. Great.
Mmm, charging Sith.. well that's just one way to make Tai's day all the better. As he's charged by Gurt there's a distinct snap-hiss as Kouhei is drawn from his belt instantly and the white blade glows in it's color to some degree, quickly a half-circle is drawn before Tai's foot. Shortly there after, a second snap-hiss is heard as Tai's second saber is drawn and it completes the circle on the otherside. His eyes lock upon the charging woman, but his senses extend out to the others. They just bit off a big mouthful of Tai, and he's not overly tasty this evening. Standing with his blades on either side of his body, he awaits the first attacker to get to him...
As Gurt closes the distance on Tai, she suddenly pauses as the second blade appears. Not of fear, but of analysis. Her black robes billow out from her body as he brings her weapon into a two handed grip, blade extended before her, nor more than 6 feet away. As she circles to Tai's left, she lifts the blade as if to launch an attack.
Kashan moves across the room without noise. As a matter of fact, he's not even touching the ground. Blade extended to one side, he floats towards Tai's right side, settling onto the ground an equidistance from the Jedi as Gurt, but on the other side. As Gurt feints an attack, the Sith warrior in red commits to one.
Sik'nev closes on the female jedi whipping out what appears to be a whip but there is something special about it. The three tailed ends glow with and eeire purple glow. "Come to me child and feel the power of the dark side." Hhe lashes the whip forward quickly with a snap of his wrist.
Zarred props himself against the wall standing. "What can I do kid?"
"I'm not interested in coming to you, or the Dark Side." Moira quips, a bit lost as to how to make that statement polite. Enough with the Dark side. She wasn't going to use the Dark side, even though her refusal was probably going to get her killed. She is, however, going to defend herself and those with her if she can. The blade of her lightsaber twists, her wrists rotating the weapon and not her arms- hopefully Dearou can deflect the nasty purple whip-thing. She does't attack, simply tries to stop the advancing of Sik'nev's whip.
As Kashan moves against Tai, he flicks his wrist slightly as the blade swings against his practice saber being as that's the one he holds in his right hand. Lifting his eyes, a slight warning is sent towards Kashan, almost as if commenting silently that he should not approach, the last opportunity for these Sith to withdraw and save their own lives. The fact that Tai has both sabers ignited only testifies to the fact that he will be taking their existences should this proceed. This place emmenates Darkness, so reaching within himself, Tai slowly starts emitting a light from within... the lightside of the force from within him to act as a beacon of good in this pit of evil. His eyes turn as Sik'nev speaks, Tai's not speaking although he's on edge.
Moira can take care of herself... normally. But she's weakened. Three on two is tough odds for Jedi... but Three on one and a half, perhaps only Three on one... "Get out of here and get to safety."
Sik'nev's initial strike is deflected but that only brings a grin to his face. "Ah, you are but a child." He shakes his head flashing an ugly grin at Moira. "I will have to dine on your tender flesh after I kill you." With that he begins a torrid attack of whip lashes.
Gurt cackles wickedly as Kashan attacks and it countered. She had no intention of missing. As Tai deflects the blow from Kashan's lightsaber, she is darting in like a black cat, her ebony blade whipping out as her own claw. Her body low and to the ground, the blade whips upward towards Tai. She continues to cackle, unconcerned if her noise alerts the Jedi to her attack.
Kashan does not seem to cackle, chuckle or sneer. None of those facial expressions would be noticeable anyway behind the breather mask. The sinister looking Sith sidesteps and moves more to Tai's right, forcing the Jedi to split his attention from Kashan to Gurt who is directly opposite.
Though the wounded and freezing Jedi girl is conpletely focused on the battle at hand. Moira falls into that calm, detached place where she can fully listen to what the Force is telling her. To save overusing her hurt arms, she flicks the wrists to meet the whip. Flick. Flick. "Helper guy." Yeah, whatever your name is. "Run for it if you can." Moi says in an oddly detached voice. After all, her attention really isn't on 'helper guy.' She's not even sure if he's still in the room. But Tai did say for them to get out of there.
Zarred takes the cue from the pair of force userthingamajigs and tries to take a step falling falt on his face.
Gurt's reaction to Tai finalizes it. As the attack comes up at him, he deflects the blade over his head again with the slightest flicks of his wrist. Brining his hands together briefly, he musters the force about him then thrusts his hands outwards towards the two Sith who surround him, sending an invisible wave of the force out and against the pair in order to toss them away from him so Tai can have a moment to prepare and get the others taken care of. Aggressive Tai? Not really, only mildly at the most, using it for a good purpose at the least is redeeming. As the force travels out from him Tai spins his sabers calmly and looks back and forth between the two. They really don't know what they bit off...
The whip bearing jedi continues his attack. He thrashes the whip wildely appearing to have little training with the weapon but he moves closer with every swing until he is very close. He notices the girls attention taken by the normal and his free hand pulls a small dagger out and jabs it into the female jedi's ribs. The wound doesn't appear to be deep.
As her attack is knocked away, Gurt growls. Not an angry growl, but more of an animal-like growl. She's bringing her sword back around when the wave hits her and propels her backward onto her backside. Her almond eyes seem to flash with anger as she puts one hand beneath her to propel herself back onto her feet. Her anger and hatred for this Jedi grow and her strength seems to return twice as fast.
Moira makes a little strangled noise as she takes the knife in the abdomen. Her face remains calm, as does her aura, though pain floods through her briefly. She's on the edge anyways, so how could she really completely ignore it? It's cold and she's battered, bruised, and now stabbed. What can she do with the lightsaber? Nothing, really, not so close. But she can push Whip Man back with the Force, so she can retreat a bit and try to close the bleeding wound. It's not a hard push, she's neither with it enough nor willing to make such an agressive move. More of an 'Okay. I'm going to move you away from my torso' kind of push. If it works, it would definately not sweep him off his feet.
Kashan shrugs the shove aside as Tai Jinn unleases his power against the two. His eyes seem to squint as he reaches out with his left hand, as if to employ his own dark magic. But the hand is merely a decoy as his other brings his lighsaber back around for a new attack at the Jedi. The blood-red blade wings in at Tai from overhead.
Both sabers come up forming an X above his head as the attack from Kashan is caught between Tai's blades. No hesitation is shown as his foot lifts and lashes out towards Kashan's form, directly for the chest section. As he fights though, Tai is making his way towards Moira. Her pain is his pain and he feels the attack into her stomach. Gritting his teeth, he gets fully ready to stop toying around. After kicking out at Kashan, he releases instantly into his training. The saber in his right hand thrusts forward, directly towards his opponent, Kousei in his left comes across in a sweeping attack towards the head.
Sik'lev gets pushed back slightly but nothing to deter his attack. He shows more control of the whip now as he moves in on the woman again. He pauses a moment and lifts the dagger to his mouth and licks the bloody blade. "Yum." With that the torrent of whip lashes continue as he seems to be working the girl in a circle back towards the other jedi.
Moira's losing steam. Flick, flick, her wrists move to try and have Dearou's sepia toned blade meet the whip, but her energy is draining with her blood. Sure, the wound's not so deep, but girly girl has been through a lot lately. She really doesn't need a battle, too. And she's herded like cattle towards Tai, just like Sik wants. Moo.
Oh, but it won't be that easy. Gurt has regained her feet and is lunging toward the Jedi even has he propels away from Kashan. "Yes," she says, her voice low and evil and almost serpentine. "Turn your back on him. He's weak..." She almost seems to be talking to herself, her voice is so low. Her hand comes up and her talisman glows as she summons the Force to do her bidding. Her black robes shimmer blue as the power from her blue talisman gem emits a searing wave of energy.
Kashan rocks back a step as Tai's foot is planted into his body armor. The blades distract him for a moment, but he allows the force of the kick to push him out of their range as Tai moves the other way. As the energy wave is sent out in every direction, Kashan snarls, and it almost sounds gleeful behind the breather. Rocks begin falling from the caverns roof, directly over Tai and above his intended path. From gravel to fist-sized stones they begin to pelt down upon the Jedi. Kashan skirts around the downpour over Tai, trying to get near Sik'nev, who seems to be out of the fallout's range.
As the rocks begin to fall around him, Tai reaches out to the force and begins to summon a shield about him to protect himself from the falling rocks, but one of the first hit him in the back, and the others follow suit, bludgeoning the man down under the pummeling of the rocks. Searing pain emmenates from Tai as the rocks hit his body repeatedly.
Sik'lev finally herds the woman where he wants her and leans into her engaging her hands with his own above their heads. "Welcome to the end." He says blowing his foul breath in her face.
Gurt backs up a step or two from where she was, and an evil grin suddenly crosses her face. "Yes!" she exclaims to the silent voice giving her the order. Two more steps backwards and she spins, her blade arcing over her shoulder in a downward arc. And there is her target - the female. Wounded and bleeding from Sik'nev's attack. Her blade cleaves into Moira's shoulder and slices through skin, muscle and bone as it digs down towards the opposite hip. The alchemy-enhanced blade slices with ease. And blood flows. Again, she cackles as her blade comes free from the body.
Foolish child, Kashan must think as he watches the male Jedi fail to protect himself from the falling stones. His voice is raspy as it comes through the breather. "So much for the Jedi. I knew they were weak. Get up, Jedi... Die standing up. It's so much more... rewarding." But the Sith expects no such satisfaction. No, the man-child is too weak. So he does what any warrior wanting battle would do - he uses the Force to remove some of the rock-debris covering Tai to allow the Jedi to emerge from the dust and rock cloud to see Gurt's handiwork.
Eew, Jedi bits. And suddenly, Moira is just very dead. And in pieces. But not for long- the pieces fade and vanish into nothing.
Moira has left.
The rocks roll, and tumble, and Tai emerges once again from the pile of dust and rock... and for lack of better word. Tai is pissed. Gurt's attack on Moira will cost her very dearly indeed. Stepping out over the edge of the rocks, broken and battered, his eyes lock upon Gurt... but Moira vanishes... and vanishes completely. Pausing, Tai blinks his eyes.
Gurt feels the Jedi emerging from his death trap of rocks. Pity, she hoped he'd beg a bit before dying at least. She turns around to face the Jedi, sees his face and a high-pitched, evil cackle emerges. She laughs even as he centers herself and prepares to counter his attack, if it comes.
Sik'lev now stands behind the jedi whip at the ready.
Zarred just winces as the woman is killed and looks at the young jedi with a 'what now?' look.
Kashan steps forward, standing far enough away from the two other Sith to form a triangle. He shuts down his lightsaber, but his body continues to heave as if he is charged and ready for battle. The red-garbed warriorstands there, lightsaber held in his right hand, pointed down and away from his body. He glances across the cavern to Zarred. Ahh, a new slave. Perhaps the Master would reward him for at least providing a new slave to him.
Moira's vanished, and Tai calms himself of the anger that wells within him, pushing it aside and deep within... seeking the force to calm himself. Taking a breath, he commits himself now to the living... himself and Zarred. Snap-hiss. Snap-hiss. Both sabers activate again and Tai takes one step towards Gurt... the one who just struck down Moira... his everything. There will be nothing that saves her. Spinning his sabers on either side of his body to prep himself, Tai launches into the fight. His right hand swings the lightsaber across evenly towards her body. His left follows in a thrusting attack. Spinning, the right one is brought in full motion around as it comes in on the same side that the left thrust was at, slicing in towards the woman. All the while, Tai continues moving forward, pressing the attack onwards in a solid fluid motion, unyielding and relentless.
The Jedi's unrelentless attack is not unexpected and even so, Gurt is surprised by the intensity of it. Not even some of the Prine's had this much intensity in battle. Well, except for Darth Bane and Dath Cabal. The first attack knocks her sword aside and the second bites flesh, searing the skin on one arm and leaving a very ugly black, cauterized lump of skin. She howls in anger as she skips to one side, closer to Kashan and his blade.
Kashan remains where he is. Let the Jedi come to him. He would not protect Gurt, that was not his way. But if Tai Jinn expected to pass Kashan without battling him, well, that was unacceptable. Still, his blade remains turned off as Gurt is still very much in danger of being struck from behind by the Jedi, should he do so. Kashan's eyes flicker from the Jedi, to Sik'nev, to Zarred, and back to the Jedi. Interesting choice. "Revenge is sweet, Jedi," he says raspily.
Sik'nev leaps at the jedi from behind as jedi begins to spin lashing the whip close to his head but making no contact.
Zarred limps through an opening in the madness trying to get out of this cave.
"I feel no revenge, nor no anger." Tai states calmly as he continues his assault towards Gurt, apparently she thinks far to highly of herself as Tai is hardly even concentrating upon her. "You are detremental to my survival and have attacked both I and taken a fellow Jedi to death. Therefore I am forced to fight." He'd been avoiding it for awhile now. Sik'nev's whip cracks by Tai's head, but it's ignored, blatantly ignored. He needs to even the odds a bit. Two on One is manageable. Spinning again, this time in the opposite direction, he brings his saber low towards Gurt's feet but it's merely a feint as he instantly and very quickly spins in the other direction and sends the opposite blade at a high level, directly for her head. Excellent, Zarred is escaping... that is good and Tai captures the image out of the corner of his eye. Whether or not his saber makes contact with Gurt, or her head, he withdraws a second now that he's close to Kashan and Sik'nev is making his presence known as well. A step backwards after his attack and Tai swings both sabers at the ready for whatever may come.
Kashan spots the movement at the entrance and squints his eyes. "Oh no, you don't... not MY prize!" he rasps at Zarred. Lifting his hand, he clenches his fist at Zarred, effectively stopping the man in his tracks as he reaches up to clutch his throat. Kashan decides he has no time to wait for the Jedi until his slave is secured and begins to skirt the battle between the Jedi and Gurt. Let her die to the Jedi's vengeful emotions. It was no loss to him. And Sik'nev would gladly cleave the Jedi if another hair on his sister's head was harmed.
Sik'lev seems momentarily distracted as one of the dark lords gifts try to escape. He notices Kashan stopping him and grins slightly.
The blades come in a dizzying pattern to the witch-like Sith and she squeals. Some of it is gleeful and the second is in pain as the second saber comes intoward her head. She drops to the ground as the blade passes overhead, and she thinks she smells burning hair. She loses her footing and lands with an 'Oof' on her backside... again! Cursed Jedi.
Zarred freezes in place as he was trying to escape dropping to the ground. "LET ME GO!!" He shouts in a raspy voice as his hands go to his throat.
Well, that takes care of Gurt for the moment, turning his attention towards Kashan, Tai lifts and points with his saber at the Sith. "Let him go." It's a simple command... but one that will be backed up. "Let that man go." A man in need is one thing, but a friend in need is quite another. Two steps are taken towards Kashan with looks shot towards Sik'lev and Gurt in turn, almost daring them to attack Tai.
Sik'lev grins. "You are to young in the force to challenge me boy. You had better stop your idle threats and choose your path, the dark side or death." He raises the whip once more and the ends float above his hand like flaming knuckles.
Gurt back-pedals from the retreating Jedi, on her hands and feet, looking very much like a Tilirian crab. Her sword is banged and knocked as she scrambles out of the Jedi's attack range, the blade still fisted in one hand. When she finally stops, she gingerly reaches up to her head and a massively hateful look comes over her face as several clumps of burnt hair come off in her hand.
"Your Lord Cabal has tried already to sway me to the dark side, and he has failed miserably." Tai informs Sik'lev. "Your Lord Bane has fought me many times and yet I stand here still. Rethink your decision and let that man go before it is I am forced to act yet again." Tai's words could be cocky, but they are delivered in seriousness and honesty towards the trio. His sabers draw out about the ground the semi-circle once more. "It is your decision now... Either you will release him, or I will force you to release him."
Kashan still has the Jedi between him and his slave and he growls in response to the Jedi's threat. At Sik'nev's words, his growl subsides. Pulling ith his clenched fist, he drags the choking human towards Tai, who is still closest to the human. "Yes, Jedi... experience real power. Take his life and let your anger and vengeance flow. Kill him... and you may go." He clenches his fist again and Zarred is pulled down.
Zarred drops to his knees choking and gasping for air. He strains to look up at the young jedi.
Sik'lev grins at the temptation offered the jedi. "Yes, walk free with the simple stroke of you saber."
"I fear not death." Tai states with ... a smile at Kashan. "I fear not anything... for I am in the light. You have one opportunity to join me now in the light... to purge yourself of this darkness which shackles you to pain and torment. Give up your evil ways and allow me to help you heal your broken spirit and soul..." Blinking his eyes, Tai smiles a bit more... those words were not his own, they were the words of the force. "That is your options. I will not strike down an unarmed man... I would not strike down anyone for the mere thrill of it, or to exert power, or anything as self-serving as you would. A new semi-circle is drawn in front of him and with both sabers still activated, Tai lifts his hand and continues to smile even in the death of his beloved and his own certain demise... his reassurance is the force. The lifted hand slowly begins to emit a bit of light... and it stretches outwards around Tai and Zarred as a shield begins to arise against the Sith's actions in the force... a block against further attacks upon the pair.
As the protective shield goes up, Kashan loses his grip on the future slave. The Force protection sphere seems to reach out far beyond what the Jedi intended and soon a blinding light envelopes all three Sith. The light is intensive, effectively blinding Tai Jinn and Zarred.
Gurt has left.
Kashan has left.
Everything seems to fade away leaving the cave just a dark cold place. Even the man the jedi protected is gone.
Diamond Canyon -- Wilderness Arkania
This shallow canyon is well-shielded from the winds of the open tundra and makes a good campsite. There are even firepits and remains of a former campsite along the northern wall of the canyon. No sign of the campers though. Along the eastern wall of the canyon, a crevice has been widened by explosives. The most likely reason is to allow access for repulsorsleds, like the completely broken one to one side of the crevice entrance. Fifty feet to the north of the crevice is a small shack. To the southeast is a path that leads up to a plateau.
Stepping up out of the cave, Tai doesn't look as one might expect... perhaps upset. Confused... anything, but no. He's quite the opposite, he's actually smiling and well, happy. At peace and when at peace, Tai is always happy. Feeling Phanton's presence, he quirks an eyebrow slightly.
Phanton stands outside the cave with his hands clasped before him. The cold wind whips his robe about him as he watches you emerge. "Come child." He syas simply.
*RP'less Travel*
Courtyard -- Jedi Praxeum Coruscant
This vast courtyard is where much of the daily life of the Jedi can be observed. A park-like area near the bridge is often used as a study area, and the open areas in that park are teaming with life as students and teachers alike take part in sports and athletic activities, honing the body. At each corner of the square compound is a tower that is easily 200 stories high. Paths criss-cross the entire compound and run the perimeter, from tower to tower. At the north end of the compound is a large hill constructed of many different types and sizes of boulders.
In the center of the courtyard is the largest tower, rising another 100 stories above the other towers in the complex. The double-wide, ornate doors to this tower are always open. Unlike the other towers, this one has a wide section near the top that removes the tapered look the other towers have. Above this bulge is where the Jedi Council Chamber is located.
Moira is actually on her way towards the Residence tower, having left Rruka and decided to head off to meditate. She's not carrying any books for once, it's just Moira and her crazy self.
Phanton moves to the bridge having returned with Tai from wherever he has been and closes his eyes. "We will speak later on this. Meditate on it before we do."
Sighing a bit, Tai nods towards Phanton and just walks across the bridge and begins to head towards the Residence Towers. As one of the other Padawans approaches Tai to ask him something, Jinn just shakes his head then does something he's never done before. Reaching into the force, he creates what is more or less a 'river' around him, and jumps into the flow of it. Disappearing into it with a blur of speed to carry him to the Residence Towers quickly in order to get inside quickly and to meditations quickly. Disappointment is often a difficult thing to have to deal with.
Drat. Now where is that card with Willim's contact information? Moira pats her pockets, then checks inside them. Nope. Not in the hips, not in the knee...oh, wait, there it is. Content now that she's located it, it's into the Tower and meditation for Moira.
END OF LOG