Broken Dragon Part III: What the Wroshyr Tree Gives

[Flamjetxx]

What the Wroshyr Tree Gives​

On board Ark's personal transport, a YV-929 Freighter, Ark and Drarkia are posed in a Teras Kasi meditative position that was meant to open up better blood flow and Air flow. They'd been I that and similar poses for some time now, and their entire trip had consisted of the exercises. The poses would do a lot for her. The free blood flow would help to feed and nurture the unborn fetus within her, and keep it content so that she too could be content. The flow of oxygen into her would help to relax her as well as to benefit the child, but that was more for her. Oxygen is much like a drug, releasing chemical reactions where the person breathing gets more oxygen. It helps them to perform better in combat, which is why it is a fundamental exercise in Teras Kasi.

And finally, her muscles would stretch and relax. It would free up the fetus, and allow her to feel far more comfortable at the same time. She'd need this too, because they were about to travel deep into the Wroshyr forests of Kashyyyk, and something of that sort is an uncomfortable journey, considering they'd be in the lower levels of the forest, closer to the many dangers of the forest. Thankfully, they wouldn't be alone, and Drarkia was in the earlier stages of her pregnancy, allowing the travel to be far easier on her and the child than it would if they were to arrive any later in her pregnancy, and it was one of the most important reasons that Ark needed to get her onto Kashyyyk as soon as possible.

During the earlier stages of their ship ride to Kashyyyk, Ark had been on the com link in attempts to organize an extended period of absence from the Siths' eyes for her pregnancy to go unnoticed. Thankfully, Ark was typically one to ask for those sorts of things with his first apprentice, and so it didn't take too much effort to get hooked up. But Ark had an insider, way up on the Sith Food chain that helped to pull those strings, and it made the process simply a matter of doing the organization on his part. And that alone was the most stressful portion of the trip. The rest was Teras Kasi posing.

The droids piloting Ark's ship beeped an alarm for Ark, and Ark recognized it as a signal that they were arriving to their destination, Kashyyyk.

"We'd best be ready to land then," Ark stated as he ended his pose, expecting to lead Drarkia to the cockpit where they'd get a perfect view of the beach front village as they landed on the planet.

As they descended, there was a surprising lack of turbulence. It seemed that the skies were calm, and it made it extremely stress-free for Drarkia, but Ark couldn't help but to sense anxiety in her. It was a brand new place, a location unknown, and vastly different form anywhere she's ever been before. All she's known are fighting arenas, slave cages, and temples. The village alone would be a drastic change of scenery. And although Ark has told her a dozen and a half times that she'd like Kashyyyk, Ark couldn't help but to sense that the unknown didn't cease to bother her.

As they came out of an upper atmosphere cloud, it was revealed that it was evening for the Wookie home world, but the Wroshyr trees were lit up with dozens of homes. And a landing zone was illuminated with red lights, making it extremely easy to find their landing pad. As they descended into the village, their view was perfect.

It would become very clear to Drarkia just how different, and better this place would be for them. And with the gentle touchdown of the ship onto the platform, they could see a group of wookies already gathered around, waiting for them. Not a single one of them was armed, indicating that they knew exactly who'd arrived, and were expecting them with open arms.

As the platform opened up, several wookie children rushed up to greet Ark and to investigate the new Selonian that was with him. With a vibration I the depths of Ark's cartiliguos throat, Ark spoke in a peculiar dialect of Shyriiwook that was easily recognized by the locals. The children all at once melded their own gargles of Shyriiwook in a nearly incomprehensible mix of speaking that would be overwhelming to Drarkia, but pieced together by Ark as his mind frantically translated the children's questions and excited exclamations to him. Ark then herded the children down the ramp, making way for Darkia and himself to exit the ship with, and the children scattered to their respective parents as what looked to be a chieftain of sorts opened his arms, welcoming Ark with a greeting that was incomprehensible to Drarkia, waving his hand over the village, motioning to Drarkia several times, and finally placing a hand behind Ark's back and Drarkia's, leading them down the stairs of the platform into the illuminated city of wooden huts that clung to the sides of the giant Wroshyr trees.

The ambiance was that of insects' songs and the distant bellows of wookies that had their own fun. And as they descended the stairs, looking down would place them high above a massive river that flowed directly through the village, and off the slow-moving river, a reflection of the city could be seen. There was easily enough light to see exactly where they were going and to give a general picture of what the village had within its boundaries. The scene, the greeting, and the ambiance was exactly like one would expect if they were to go to a resort for a vacation. Beauty at every corner, and a plethora of friendly faces greeting the couple as they entered the city.

And contrarily to what Ark had initially said about the climate of the planet, it was actually warmer than Ark had initially said it was. It was humid and almost sticky, but given the scene, it was absolutely perfect for them. And a final time, the chieftain pointed at Drarkia and whispered something in Ark's ears, causing Ark's face to go warm in response.

 

[Zian]

She had gotten some sleep in the ship, she didn't know if it was being away from the Sith or just feeling like she couldn't be touched here. The journey was calm almost peaceful when in the meditative state. Though early in pregnancy she constantly felt like she was being pulled on the inside, the child seemed to twitch and rearrange her insides which hurt at times and left her unwanting to eat or sleep. He got up to say that they should be getting ready to land. Drarkia followed, she wanted to see this place.
What she saw was wonderful, she had never encountered so many trees in her life, her tail waged a little. She saw the wookies waiting and became a little hesitant, she had never encountered a wookie not even in the ring. They were tall as them, she took notice of the children gathering around him and eyeing her. She didn't know what they were saying, she just knew they were eyeing her. Her eyes looked at the trees even while watching these wookies, she couldn't really take her eyes off these things. There was an urge to touch the tree, but she didn't want to move and cause an issue.

 

[Flamjetxx]

There were no fireflies nor crickets on Ziost, and Ark was highly doubtful there were any to begin with on Coruscant, regardless of what shape it was in now. However, Kashyyyk seemed to have life everywhere you looked, listened, and felt. Even the trees were full of life, and it was what made up the paths they traversed. They were already very high in the tree, and looking down gave them a view of a bowl-shaped community that was built in between three massive Wroshyr trees. The massive roots rose above and beyond the smaller community, and homes were built in the sides of the roots and trunks reaching up higher than both Ark and Seeley could even see. Branches from the three trees became intertwined, creating an empty pillar-like stricture as the three trees rose, and along the insides of these tree branches, the hundreds of buildings and homes were hidden from the outside view. Only they were the privileged outsiders that were allowed to enjoy their nighttime community, and sound of crickets sung a song that seemed to echo up the great trees. In the distance, torches burned outside of homes in through windows, but more importantly, the fireflies created a blanket of light that drifted throughout the city before them, making it seem almost mystical.

Ark and Drarkia were led down the wooden paths, and to the feline species, they wouldn't notice that there were no railings in many locations, but rather the wookies expected their visitors to embody the same perfection in balance that they did, and with ease they obliged. Ark, still warmed by the comment from the child, allowed the wookie child to run off before Ark leaned into Drarkia to whisper the translation, "He said that you were more beautiful than I'd told them."

Giving a pause to realize what he'd just admitted, Ark continued, "The chief said that he is going to lead us to a banquet in our honor. And afterwards, he'd have someone take us to out temporary home for the night, and that we should be fully rested before our trip tomorrow."

Ark observed as Drarkia was busy taking in all the sights. he observed he watching longingly at the very trees, and Ark could sense how she recognized the life the tree had within it, and he could only imagine that a place like this would feel surreal to her. Ark grabbed her paw, and brought her right up next to the bark of the tree, and placed her paw against it, with his on top of hers, "These trees live and provide shelter for everything that lives on Kashyyyk. These trees are the very life that protects the Wookies that live here," Ark said as he allowed her to feel the very real life of the tree in her palm through the Force, "The village we're heading to is not too different from this one. Before we go to sleep tonight, I will be sure to show you where we're going."

Ark's head swiveled at the sound of the other Wookies getting a bit too far ahead, and only one remained behind with them. It was a curious thing that the single Wookie would stay behind with them, instead of following the rest around the corner of a massive branch where another set of stairs would allow them to climb up to the next level. If one didn't already live at the village before now, they'd be lost, and for Drarkia, the stairs going up would be a maze. However, Ark was well versed in his ability to traverse the village, and they were in no real danger of being lost to the village.

Ark allowed Drarkia to take in everything while he turned to speak with the other Wookie. He was a young one, and it looked as if he had only just reached manhood, and he proudly wore his Syren Fiber around his chest, and in Shyrriwook, Ark spoke to him, "Why don't you follow the rest of them?"

"I am Ty'Ryk, and I will be your personal guardian for your trip. I am to stay with you day and night, making certain that you are alright during your journey. It is my sole responsibility to ensure that your child is in perfect condition during your trip. I am to start tonight, sleeping outside your door until morning comes," he responded proudly and almost as if it were rehearsed.

"You're quite young to be a personal guardian, don't you think? It's a great responsibility to protect life," Ark stated almost questioningly to him.

With pride, he puffed up his chest, "I am more than enough of a Wookie to protect a life, and it is the greatest honor I have been awarded. I have completed my Hrrtayyk Ceremony better than my peers, and I am fully capable of this task and more."

"Very well then, my child's life in in your paws then. It is a pleasure to become acquainted with you Ty'Ryk," Ark stated as he returned to Drarkia to see how she was faring.

With a few more gargles, the Wookies in the distance seemed to have called them, and the young man garggeld in response as he placed a hand on Drarkia's back to direct her where he needed her to follow, and along with that, Ark understood what he said to be what Drarkia only perceived to be more roaring, "This way my Lady Drarkia. We mustn't be late for your feast."

And Ark quickly translated for her, putting emphasis on her name which was pronounced 'Warcrar'Scoosc' (Or Anwrowaro Warcrar'Scoosc with the Lady prefix as many of the Wookies hadalready referred to her as), which as far as Ark could translate was translated vaguely as Dragon Mother, or Mother of the Dragon. Ark actually found it surprising himself, because of how they'd taken the bits and pieces of Ark's stories regarding their meeting in the Cavern of the Broken Dragon, and combined it into creating her name. And it was actually quite easy to remember, considering that the direct translation of her name began with Warcrar anyway, and how most Wookie Children referred to their mothers as Scoosc.

Bringing her up the stairs, it was more than enough time for Drarkia to speak up with any concerns or any questions she may have of the place, no matter how trivial it may seem to ask it. The place was very confusing, and Ark couldn't predict most of what she was going to ask, but he could certainly try. After all, she couldn't understand virtually any of what the other Wookies were saying apart for the small tidbits of translations Ark has already given her.

Before long, the smell of the many, many foods of the feasting Hall could be smelled as it drifted down. Most of which, humans would attempt to vomit over, but for a Wookie, it was quite mouth watering, and Ark could tell that they certainly didn't skimp on any sort of food. Ark could smell such a wide variety that eh couldn't even recognize half of the foods, even after spending half his life in a Wookie village. He supposed that they'd assume that Drarkia's tastes and cravings would be off from what she'd ordinarily be used to, and so they went the safe route and simply gathered one of everything they could think of.

Spoiler: PS. Shyriiwook Translator is Fun

http://jalequin.atwebpages.com/Pages/Other/Translators/Shyriiwook.php

 

[Zian]

She saw sights, heard sounds, smelled new smells, all foreign to her. Drarkia took notice of the group leaving them with a young wookie, he was smaller than them. She heard the words that he was meant to be her guard, there was talk of a feast and rest. When the young wookie touched her though she snarled, it was lack of trust. "Do not touch me." She sneered at the wookie. Ark may have trusted them, but she did not. When the wookie backed off she calmed a little, she had gotten the idea that she needed to go a certain way. She wasn't used to being called lady either, this was something new to get used to.
Drarkia walked to where she was told to go. She could pick up the smells of food, it made her more hungry. She moved close to Ark, she wanted ti be as near as she could with him. These wookies were a new experience, it would take her time to trust as he did. Right now she was cautious, trust was not easy for her, ark had been the only one to gain it.

 

[Flamjetxx]

When Ty'Ryk placed a paw on Drarkia's back, her snarl provoked an immediate recoil from the young man, who placed a step between himself and the larger female. He knew his place, and Ark was quick to step between them, just in case. Thankfully, it was merely a matter of trust, and Ark was able to walk with Drarkia up the stairs by her side, with Ty'Ryk following behind them, looking a tad ashamed of his crossing of boundaries with the Selonian. It wasn't a very good start for him, but he was determined, and he was optimistic that he'd prove himself worthy of her forgiveness, somewhere along their trip.

When they finally arrived at the feasting hall, they were several more branches higher, and any species that wasn't used to climbing would feel a bit of an ache in their legs. Ark figured that if Drarkia was the kind of species that was in fact used to climbing that their exercises on the way to Kashyyyk would have refreshed her long enough to prove the climb unnoticed. However, upon reaching the feasting hall, there was a massive wooden table that spanned the entire oval-shaped room, filled with plate after plate of various foods. Various meats, colorful vegetation, and the smells overwhelming to the point that distinguishing form one food to the next would only be possible if that particular food was right in front of their nose. The chief had beat them up with enough time to involve himself in a conversation as he waited at the head of the table. On either side of him were two empty seats, indicated for Drarkia and Ark. He motioned for Drarkia to sit on his right side, where there was another seat next to that in which Ty'Ryk was taking his seat, and he motioned for Ark to sit on his left.

Ark didn't know how keen Drarkia would feel to being seated apart form Ark, and so Ark would follow her lead; However, he knew that it was a prestigious honor to be sat next to the chief, and that for someone like Drarkia, a newcomer, it was far more than was a common sight. If Drarkia didn't take the honor of sitting next to the chief, he'd be greatly hurt by it, and so if Drarkia would choose to not sit away from Ark, he'd come over to her side of the table, sitting o the chair that Ty'Ryk would ordinarily have sit at, forcing her to sit next to the Chief. After all, she'd have to sit next to a stranger regardless, at last she'd be not dishonoring the chief in the process this way.

When everyone was seated, the chief would rise from his seat, and silence the room. In the back ground, the edge of the room had a mere few feet before the edge of a drop off, and at the bottom, you could view the entire inside of the city from an amazing vantage point that overlooked every lighted house in the pitch black background. The moon managed to shine through two of the trees, giving the feasting hall a perfect natural lighting that only required a few extra torches to keep the table completely lit. Looking up, the tree branches intertwined to weave into an amazing awning that held several lights, indicating homes up there. And along the trunks of the other two trees, were homes lining the entire way up to the top, which was far above their current position.

As Drarkia sat down, he chair was neglected to be pushed in as a pair of female Wookies with braids and beads in their hair indicated they were midwives of sorts, and they gargled their intentions before poking around her with various methods of determining the health of the child within her. Ark was quick to translate, lest Drarkia also growl at them for their seemingly needless invasion of her personal space, "They're midwives, and they're inspecting you to try to determine the health of the child."

All the while the chief spoke his speech, and by the end of it, the roars of the many Wookies that accompanied them stood and cheered the chief, Drarkia, and Ark. Ark couldn't help, but to stand as well, because the chief tended to have a way with words. He was certainly motivating and his words greatly honored Drarkia and Ark's child. He'd even managed to get a natural chuckle out of Ark- an admittedly difficult task -by referencing his childhood exploits in the village when visiting with his father, Warren Krayzen.

Ark hadn't even realized just how long it had been since he'd first visited the village, and it was easy to forget the history he had with these Wookies. He'd watched more than a few of the Wookies at the table grow into adulthood as the chief had seen Ark grow up as well. It was truly a family-like setting for Ark, and they were truly the closest thing to a family that Ark had ever known since his father's death. It was only a shame that Ark couldn't translate everything to Drarkia, but the near-constant exposure to the language would eventually take its toll on her until she began to pick up the language. It's speaking it that would come as a challenge, since she wasn't a Wookie, and didn't have the necessary vocals to pronounce some of the words. It was the very same issue that Ark had found when attempting to speak Shyriiwook as a child, and it was one of a few reasons he wasn't perfect at speaking the language himself.

"Drarkia," Ark began, speaking to her through telepathy, "I know that there is a lot being said here, and that I cannot translate it all, but I'll do my best to tell you as much as I can that is necessary for you to know. And I wouldn't worry too much about it, because you'll pick up the language well enough."

Before long, the feast had been started, and paws reached across the table form all directions for a roasted leg Katarn Liver, strange bulbous fruit, etc. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were after, and even Ark knew exactly what he was going for. For Drarkia, it would be difficult to know exactly where to start, since the vast majority of the food, if not all of it, was unfamiliar to her. In fact, the only thing that she'd be able to recognize is the Katarn meat that Ark had dried in his pouch on Coruscant, although the flavor was greatly altered in the jerky, because of the preservative spices used in drying the meat. This Kartarn meat, however was perfectly seasoned, and placed directly in front of the chief that pulled off a chunk of meat, and handed it to Drarkia. He'd offer it to her, calling her Anwrowaro Warcrar'Scoosc in the process. It would be a name that would become familiar to her, so long as she didn't correct anyone.

 

[Zian]

She didn't care what seat she had, he was there that's all that really mattered, and she felt she could defend herself against at least one of these wookie's. Drarkia felt Ark would get to her should that happen. The women wookies started to poke and Ark quickly translated that they were seeing how healthy the baby was. It was doubtful that they could figure out such a thing, she was certain it was still small.
She saw so much food on this table some of the smells just reacted badly with her pregnancy, she almost wanted to throw up. However there was plenty others that helped keep that feeling low. He heard him speak to her in her mind, she was trying to get used to things, but this was a lot for her to take in all at once and she was pregnant on top of it. Drarkia just needed time, time to trust, time to get used to, time to relax. She didn't know how to respond in her mind, part of her wish she did. The chief offered her meat, this meat smelled familiar like the jerky, but it was fresh. She pulled the meat to her mouth tasting it, it felt good down her throat, so good she devoured the chunk.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Though Ark at first sensed disgust from Drarkia, he soon found her eating the Katarn meat with satisfaction, and without even noticing the female Wookies examining her at one point. Everyone at the table seemed to be enjoying themselves, and it was almost uncanny for a pair of Sith to sit so accepted amongst the rest of the Wookies. Ark flashed to an idea that Drarkia, himself, and his child would be accepted into the village without any dangers being presented to them, without the fear of not being accepted or fitting in, and with the general feeling of family.

The females finished examining Drarkia, and announced to Drarkia, the chief, and to Ark that the child was perfectly healthy, and that Drarkia was in perfect condition. There was nothing wrong. And they proceeded to announce that Drarkia would be fully capable of travelling as early in her pregnancy as she was. It was all suspected, but it was always nice to know for certain that all was well. The last thing Ark wanted was to carry a newborn through the shadow lands to the next village. The shadow lands were the only way to get to the next village, indicating precisely how protected it was from the rest of Kashyyyk, and without a guide, it was next to impossible to get there, even if you were an experienced resident of Kashyyyk. Taking a newly impregnated Drarkia was far safer than a newborn child and a fatigued mother.

The Chief and Ark proceeded to offer various foods to Drarkia throughout the meal, by recommendation of the midwives; Raw Spleen, various fish, other organs, raw, and prepared differently, etc. Most of them were supposed to serve some role in aiding the development of the fetus, though he doubted that Drarkia would even give some of the foods two looks before turning them away.

The feast was relatively eventful, as far as trying new things, getting used to new cultures, and hearing a lot of incomprehensible gargling was concerned, but when most bellies were full, and most conversations died down, the chief stood up to make a final speech before dismissing them. After everyone was dismissed, the Chief walked Ark, Drarkia, and Ty'Ryk out of the room, where he made certain that Ark and Drarkia were acquainted with and knew the precise purpose of Ty'Ryk's presence on their journey. Protector, guide, personal body guard. And there was a small, but somewhat impressive list of accomplishments and commendations to the young man, causing him to blush, even through the thick fur covering his face.

Ark let out a slight sigh, in realizing it had come to the part of the night, where he'd have to say goodbye to the chief, and it would likely be the last time they had a moment like this for the next 9+ months, "Thank you. Drarkia and I appreciate everything you've done for us, and I know it was a lot to ask of you. I will find a way to repay you for this one day soon. If you ever need my help in the future, I beg you to use my resources."

It wasn't often that Ark found himself owing someone anything, but twice in a row now, Ark had given his allegiance and word, promising loyalty to someone throughout discovering Drarkia's pregnancy. It seemed that Ark would do just about anything to ensure his child's utmost safety.

They were then lead by Ty'Ryk through the various paths of the Wroshyr tree to a small, but inviting home build on the edge of a large branch. Upon entering, the home revealed that it simply had only what was necessary, a bed, running water, etc, but it was the view the location was prized for. The massive window at the far end of the room allowed a view of the entire, moon-lit Forrest that was behind the city. Many of the surrounding trees quite small in comparison to the one they stood within, and it allowed them to look out over many of the treetops, towards other trees. Some were larger, and others were quite tiny. But what stood out in the distance were small, cone-shaped, rock formations that peaked above the tree tops. They weren't quite mountains, but they were unique regardless. Ark pointed along the break in the trees that indicated the river that flowed between them, and followed it up towards one of the mountains, motioning past it towards a cluster of massive trees that stood well above the rest of the forest, and then past them towards another rock formation that barely reached out above a Wroshyr tree that seemed just a bit too close to it, but still quite large. It was extremely distant, and barely visible along the darkened skyline, but with their feline low-light abilities, they should be able to make it out with relative success, "This is where we'll travel to get to the next village. It's far, through some of the more dangerous parts of the forest, but it is very well protected due to the rock formations surrounding it. I even hear there is a small lake there."

 

[Zian]

She didn't want any of the other foods they tried to put in front of her, she grabbed other stuff instead more cooked food. Even as a fighter she had her choice of food, that was something she gained freedom of over time, so cooked foods she would take over these raw ones. He spoke to her when night feel, she didn't even realize it had gotten night already. "No raw foods." She said in response to him saying he'd repay her. Drarkia hadn't touched anything raw since her early days as a child, she wouldn't touch them now. The young wookie had lead them to a small house, she assumed this is where they would stay tonight. Ark pointed to her where they would be traveling. "Are we going now?" She asked. She didn't know, she still had energy, but she knew she would probably need to rest at some point. Drarkia wasn't sure if she would be allowed to rest on the trail, if it was as dangerous as he said it was. She really wanted to try to have as much energy as she could given her condition. However if he wanted to go now, she wasn't going to fall behind at least not right now anyway.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark shook his head at Drarkia's question, "No. We have a very long journey ahead of us, and we'll need the sleep."

Then, Ark led her to the bed. It was by no means the mass-produced beds found at the Temples, any they weren't sticks and branches, as one would expect from a seemingly underdeveloped world like Kashyyyk. Instead, the beds seemed to be made of some substance that was indescribable, like a solidified foam covered in some sort of soft leather. All in all, it was soft, firm, and very comfortable. It was far better than anything Ark had slept on in months, and he aimed to enjoy it whole he could, because for the next leg of their trip, they'd have no such comfort.

By the time the sun rose, Ark's eyes were already fluttering open at the first rays of sunlight that entered the hut. The large window showed a darkened sky from where the night was quickly disappearing, and he was already stretching and getting ready for the long trip. He had a pair of bags packed full of various survival tools that included a knife, flask, rope, tinder, and blanket. Of 'course, it was only the surface of the equipment they'd bring with them, but it was more than simply equipment, but rather a signal of the arduous journey they were about to embark upon.

A knock on the hut door alerted Ark to Ty'Ryk waking them, and letting them know it was time to leave. It wouldn't take very long for them to get out the door, seeing that Ark already had the bags packed, and the rest was simply the fur on their backs. Ryk led the way down to the lower levels, where six massive Katarn beasts stood about. They scratched themselves at various parts of their body, more specifically at the straps that held the saddles on their backs. Two Wookies were already riding two of the Katarns, while a third carried huge bags that were likely filled with all kinds of food and supplies. They were well armed, and armored, in preparation of heading into the shadow lands. Ark supposed that the journey was very long, and that there would likely be no level of safety from point A to point B. They were about to take no risks at all.

Ryk held a paw out, offered to Drarkia, where he helped her into one of the other two remaining saddles, positioning her as comfortably as she could manage, and making sure that she was properly hooked in. Ark, followed suit from observing, and attempting to remember as much as he could from his limited experiences in riding, while he boarded the last Katarn.

Ty'Ryk then spoke to the pair of them, giving them both a quick crash course in riding them, while strapping calf-guards onto their lower legs, "The Katarns' legs are covered in barbs and spurs that help them in climbing, so wearing these guards will protect your legs as you ride. Katarns are excellent climbers, and so it isn't uncommon that wherever you want them to go, they will go there, even if it's right up or down a vertical surface. Some of our Wookies even ride our Katarns upside down when the situation calls for it. Be careful that you adjust yourselves accordingly when you direct your Katarn in a particular direction. There are reigns that will direct your Katarn, here," he points to the reigns that are tied to the front of the saddle. Where they sat in the saddles, they could lay down, and bite the front of the saddle, where the reigns were hooked up to, indicating the versatility of the saddles.

"When heading down the side of a tree, lean back, and when climbing up the side of a tree, lean forward. You can also grab hold of the saddle-handles at the front, where the reigns are tied to," Ryk indicated, "And finally, be sure to frequently check your restraints. They will help keep your butts in the saddle, but with frequent tugging on them, you can easily fall out of them if they are loosened. Thankfully, we shouldn't be travelling so violently, so that I can keep an eye on you guys."

It was certainly a very unique system of riding, that would undoubtedly take a rider years to learn as efficiently as most Wookies, and it was one of Ark's many regrets to not learn as soon as he could. However, their trip would prove beneficial to him in giving him a taste for it. When Ryk finally strapped himself into his Katarn, a bunch of Wookies gathered around them, and offered food and such to them as the Katarns began to move. It would be their breakfast, and Ark was quick to accept some exotic fruits from the locals as he waved good bye to them and the rest of the Wookies that stayed back to watch their departure from a distance.

As they started moving, they approached a drop off, where the edge of the branch simply ceased to exist. As they grew closer, Ark realized that their departure would start off the complete opposite that Ryk initially suggested it would go. Ark began to hold onto the reigns, where he watched as the two unnamed Wookies rid their Katarns right off the edge, and finally it was Ark's turn. At least Ryk was behind Drarkia, to make sure she didn't get lost while they all fell off the side of the tree. And with a creeping, the Katarn casually dropped off the side of the branch in a slight free fall that caused the early-morning wind to whoosh past his folded ears. Ark couldn't help but to growl as he fell, must have sounded like an awkward humming as it became distorted by his falling. And finally, the Katarn caught bark as it thumped in contact with the main trunk of the tree, and it skidded and sprinted down the side after the other two Katarn. It was likely it was trained to keep pace with the Katarn it as supposed to follow, but as Ark pulled slightly to the left of the reigns, he felt the Katarn sway slightly to the left, giving Ark a clear view of the many layers of the forest quickly greeting him as he fell.

Branches and leaves whooshed and snapped as he fell past them, the Katarn's body wiggled violently as it sprinted, and Ark's back was nearly flat against the back of the saddle, where he could actually look up to see the rat-like tail of the Katarn flicking behind him. The forest was quickly growing darker as they descended rapidly. Where they must have been in the uppermost layers of the forests, they were quickly descending where the warm morning air turned into an icy chill that was only warded off by the thickness of their fur. Thankfully, they were both feline in physiology or they might have frozen half to death by simple descending form the tree. Ark kept popping his own ears as the rapid decent created a rapid change in pressure in his surroundings that required a particular attention to his ears.

By the time the Katarn naturally slowed, and eventually stopped their descent, Ark didn't even realize the forest floor was only a few branches below them. Ark's body was a little numb from the air pelting him and whipping his longer fur about, but he was otherwise rather energized by the descent, and the look on his face must have been quite funny based on the way the two Wookies ahead of him were laughing at him. A little bit off from the path below them, the sound of the river could be heard, but not quite seen with out really making an effort to see it. It was the first leg of their journey to follow the river down, and they'd be going more or less by sound than sight.

 

[Zian]

Drarkia was glad for the rest, she knew she wouldn't have made it if they hadn't. When the morning broke she didn't want to get up, it had been some time since she was allowed to sleep at all due to the child growing. Last night was the first time she had really gotten to sleep, the knock got her up despite not really wanting to. She saw these weird creatures waiting for them, a paw awaited her to help her onto it. She wasn't sure, she had to sniff the beast first then the paw being extended. As much as she didn't trust, she didn't know quite how she was supposed to get on without it so she took it. The saddle felt weird, the creature felt weird, everything was weird, and when he started to explain how to ride this thing there was panic. Drarkia had never ridden anything in her life she didn't know what she was doing or how she was going to get to where ever they were going.
She would do the best she could, but she was a bit afraid, this was not something she had attempted. It was that an being with child that made her feel this way she didn't know how this would effect the child. Drarkia would try to go as slow as she could following, she didn't know if she was doing anything right. The animal seemed easy enough to control, it was still some time before her fear would diminish a little and she got a little better at the beast. She still went slow, she didn't want to rush anything and loss control.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark had to admit that he was immediately concerned for Drarkia and her child. The aggressive manner in which the Katarns flew down the side of the tree would lead Ark to instinctually wonder how that would effect the child inside of Drarkia. Granted, any saner mind would say that the feline-like species had their wombs specifically designed for such extravagant exercises, even during the latest stages of a pregnancy, but Ark was driven by his modernized vantage point of how weak humans were and how the safety of the mother not only hindered her, but it also required her to be tended after much more so than Drarkia would have ever needed.

Ark was particularly concerned, because the midwives assured him that the shed be able to handle every step of the journey, even if they ran into the gravest of troubles. And within the first few steps, Ark was found plummeting down the edge of the forest at speeds as fast as a starship. However, despite Ark's growing worries, it wasn't too long before Drarkia's Katarn popped into view, making a constant and controlled climb down the side of the tree. There was no falling, no jumping, and just claws and barbs into the side of the tree. And by the time it got within view of Ark being able to clearly see Drarkia, he could see that she was leaned all the way back int eh saddle, feet pressed downward at the front of the beast, by its head, and it was almost as if she was simply standing in a slow moving elevator that descended. Only when the creature crawled onto the branch the rest of them sat upon, was she able to sit forward.

"You okay?" Ark asked with a slightly concerned tone, in which the fastest response he got was a slight chuckle from the Wookies ahead of him. They must have thought it foolish Ark's concern for something so mundane as her descent, but giving the wearing off adrenaline rush Ark had attained form his own drop, it was only natural.

Now that Drarkia had caught up, they were ready to make their way deeper into the forests, where the sun was completely blotted out from above them. The occasional strak of light managed to peak into the forests below, but they mostly relied on their feline attributes to see in the very lowlight scenery. Thankfully, it wasn't long before The Wookies out ahead lit lanterns that hung at the sides of the Katarn's neck. Ark too looked at the baggage to find that there was indeed a lantern for both him and Darkia between the two of their supplies. Ignoring the flint, Ark snapped his fingers while concentrating on the Force to summon a heat that ignited the lantern. Easy, fast, efficient.


When they could finally see, they saw how the river, just out of sight was the main source of light, allowing for the only parting of the trees, if there was ever even any that kept the river open. However, the rest of the way, thick vines clung, parasitic, to the branches, and moss covered even that, allowing each claw mark from the Katarns to leave a temporary trail until some sort of creature slithered over them, blocking them from view as the scales seemed to absorb the light, creating even more darkness. As light passes many of the plants, tiny, shriveled bulbs seemed to open up instantaneously to the touch of the light, blooming into grotesque flowers that seemed to lick at the air with moving tongues. Insects seemed to buzz everywhere, where many of them were clawed up by some shape in the deeper depths that revealed themselves in blurs of fur, scales or feathers. And yet, even more seemed to lurk within the darkest shadows, unable to reveal themselves, because even the pitch black they lurk within doesn't reveal any light for even the perfect eyes can decipher. Sure, the Force cold reveal them, but who'd want to reveal the mystery?

"Drarkia. Would you like to see what's within the darker corners of this forest? The Force can reveal them if you allow it. It's actually quite a fundamental, useful, Force ability that may very easily come in handy one day," Ark asked her, thinking he could pass some time with her, by teaching her something useful.

 

[Zian]

She growled at the wookies chuckle, she felt like they had been laughing at her. It was her first time riding and this was the hardest part. Ark seemed concerned when he asked before the wookies chuckled. "I will be fine." She said. Drarkia watched him ignite the flame. He began to ask about the dark corners of the forest. "As long as they dont laugh at my attempts." She said. She wouldn't have an issue with trying to see what could be there, she didn't care for the wookies chuckling at little things that were trivial to them.

 

[Flamjetxx]

The sway of the giant lizards they rode was surprisingly smooth. And the reality of their trip as that the lizards were able to keep a relatively quick pace with an occasional skip from one branch to the next. It was easy to see how the Wookies highly preferred them as a mode of transportation throughout the forests. In fact, any anxieties Ark may have had formerly regarding their mode of transportation quickly melted away. However, it was Drarkia's comment on how the Wookies had laughed at her.

Most people wouldn't be able to recognize a Wookie laughing from them speaking as early into meeting them. It meant that she was catching on rather quickly. Perhaps she was simply as smart, or maybe it was something within her connection to the Force that allowed her to understand just a bit better and faster. For all Ark knew it could have been a bit of both, but what really mattered was that less than a day with a brand new species and she was already picking out differences within their language. It would have been unfair to compare her to Ark's own knowledge in their languages, because Ark had a lifetime of visiting and hearing Wookies speaking, but he'd say that it was a pretty big leap to distinguishing a laugh, considering what he's seen of reactions between humans and Wookies.

With a sigh, Ark shook his head, looking over to Drarkia form her mount that had ridden right up next to his since the descent from the village, "They were laughing at me Drarkia. You have a certain perspective of me that it unique to what they've been able to see, and most of the Wookies that aren't nearly as familiar with me, or hadn't known me when I was a child, aren't used to me showing any kind of emotion at all, let alone concern for another. It's natural, but they seem to think it's funny," Ark explained to her in hopes that she'd feel a bit more secure.

Giving a moment of pause, Ark broke the pause with his mind quickly transitioning to teaching mode. There wasn't a whole lot he could teach her on the move, but Force Sight was certainly one of them, especially when she didn't have to actually see where she was going, and even when she could see where she was going, it wasn't going to be very far ahead, "I want you to close your eyes Drarkia," Ark said while doing the same. if she didn't choose to or want to, it was up to her, but she wouldn't necessarily get the whole effect, "We're lucky to be on Kashyyyk. The planet is so thick with life that the Force is impossible to ignore on the planet, but more importantly, the Force that flows throughout the planet is strongly interconnected. With your eyes closed, I want you to feel this Force and how it flows through everything and into you. Tell me what exactly you can sense through the Force. What life can you sense? Can you sense anything beyond life?"

 

[Zian]

The wookies were laughing at him? It seemed like an odd thing to her, she just assumed they had been laughing at her. Laughter was something she was quick to catch, even as a child various species had laughed at her so she learned to recognize it.
He wanted ger to close ger eyes while on this thing. "And just who is going to drive?" Drarkia asked holding the beast. She wasn't sure about not seeing where she was going. Only after passing the reins off would she close her eyes. What did she sense, she knew she felt the tiny life, but that was inside. "Some kind of animals over there." She said pointing in the direction. Drarkia didn't know what they were, her exposure to animals was almost none existant.

 

[Flamjetxx]

Ark shrugged at the response of Drarkia asking who'd drive the animal, though Ark doubted it would matter much at all. By the manner in which the beasts moved in sync upon leaving the Tree village, behind them, Ark could assume that they were all trained to follow the leader in most cases. It just meant that when not directed, they were bound to follow whoever is their leader, as they were trained to do. If not though, Ark was only a paw away from holding the reigns. And Drarkia was able to close her eyes.

Ark could feel her open up to the very lively world around her. Her senses and feelings expended like a net, capturing everything in its reach, but the trick was recognizing it.

She could sense the creatures that stirred in the darkness, but what else was there, "There is a lot of life on this planet Drarkia, not just the animals in the dark. What else do you sense? Remember that every living thing has the Force within them," Ark stated, attempting to prod more from her. He wanted her to feel it all before she could see anything. It ensured her grasp on the sight aspect was not only based off of something, but that it was solidified with no clear limitations, opening her up for the greatest of potential.

 

[Zian]

He seemed to be sure of himself. that nothing would happen to her while her eyes were closed. Drarkia wished she was so sure, but she had closed them anyway. She had felt the creatures in the dark, but he wanted more from her. "What exactly do you want me to list?" She asked, she was a little irritated. Riding an unknown creature down a forest she didn't know while pregnant took it's toll. It wasn't done on purpose it was just the way she ended up right now. Him wanting her to feel more pushed her to irritation. Drarkia kind of took an irritated breath, she wasn't trying to direct it on Ark it just came out that way. "I am sorry I am irritated." She said. Her admitting to the irritation just made it worst, like she was admitting defeat. It didn't settle well with her feeling this way.

 

[Flamjetxx]

"Drarkia," Ark began in a hushed tone, "You are thinking too much. I need you to relax, just let yourself simply cease to exist. Let your mind expand, and then translate what you feel. Nothing more. There is no thinking, there is no searching, there is only feeling."

Ark knew that she was a wreck of emotion, and that she needed to calm down. Her emotions could, and were, effecting her ability to do something as simple as to sense, an activity that Ark was a Master of, and for him, it didn't seem like it could possibly require any sort of struggle, but Drarkia was going through something Ark would never understand. All Ark knew was that he needed her to push away all those emotions, and simply be an entity in the Galaxy, devoid of purpose, devoid of mind, and devoid of body.

"Every living thing in the Galaxy has the Force flowing through it, and even the non living. Through the Force, you can sense anything you can perceive without the Force. The Force flows through everything with a fluidity that is unmatched by even water," Ark begins to explain to Drarkia as he hoped she could find it within her to simply let go.

"For example," Ark began, "What do you sense in your immediate surroundings?"

There woudln't be much around them, but Ark knew that the life forms would be imminent. Moss that hangs at their noses. The insects that buzz about them. The occasional flying creature that swooshes just out of reach. Even the massive branch they traversed across. And they best not forget about the beasts they ride upon, the Katarn.

 

[Zian]

Drarkia would try again, she would take quite a few deep breaths to try to get herself less irritated. It still bothered her that everything was so new and that wasn't something that was just going to go away. Still she needed to learn something to try to protect their child...That's right she needed to help in whatever way she could to protect the life she now carried. Her eyes looked at him now filled with determination. She focused on feeling this power she had before she could feel the life every where. "It's quiet outside the noises that are natural to the world. There's a stream about twenty yards to the left down the cliff, there's also a hunt going on back around fifty feet from us. Predator and prey, nothing that will threaten us or the wookies." She said. Her eyes were still focused on him. She wondered if he wanted something else from her or if she was to continue to sense other things in the forest.

 

[Flamjetxx]

"Good Darkia," Ark would respond, "But remember tha trees are also living things. The insects within them are all alive. The birds high above us, nesting I the trees are living creatures, as well as the inseminated eggs beneath them. The moss, the fish within the stream, and even the spiders that weave the webs we walk through are al alive."

The explanation would hopefully detail the way that she sees the Force. At the moment, she only saw the big picture. She saw that there was life, and that living creatures did indeed inhabit the forest, but she missed the details that there were insects inside the bark, and beneath that was a massive living tree. The point was that life in the forests was Everywhere.

"In a place with so much life, the Force is drawn heavily to Kashyyyk. Use this concentration of the Force to your advantage. Follow the Force, and how it flows through every one of those living things. And follow it as it leaves those living things and moves along through the inanimate objects around. Feel how the Force visually manifests itself within your mind," Ark said, nearly whispering at this point. He paused, allowing Drarkia to visualize the forest around her. Before she knows it, the Force will act much like echo location, where her following the flow of the Force becomes another pair of eyes. It would be as if the light that was devoid at the bottom of the Forest seemed to fill her mind in a way that painted a perfect picture of what the forest really looked like. She'd seen see that it was an extremely detailed place, and that it was actually quite vacant of the unknown.

"Once you see the forest like this, you will soon seem to realize the truth behind the forest. It is actually a beautiful place, and it was a rather powerful vision of understanding of a place that was so alien at one point," Ark states.

Viewing the forest, they'd both come to realize that the end of the branch they traversed dipped downward towards the floor, and at the bottom of the branch, the leading Wookies were already hopping down onto the muddy river banks. They were coming up to the first check point in their journey, and it hadn't even taken them the entire morning. However, now that they were moving down tot eh forest floor, things were going to get much stickier. At least, they were both capable of seeing in the dark.

 

[Zian]

She grumbled a little, it was a hint of agrivation, her answer wasn't good enough. It was more the pregnancy that left her in an agrivated state, but not satisfying the question didn't help. This place was still alien to her as was everything else, the fact that he said alien at one point was like she had already accepted as anything but. Which irritated her farther, the muddy didn't help, despite her past she didn't like her fur dirty. Drarkia was getting a bit angry at everything and she didn't make any effort to hid it as she kicked the mud at the air for no reason other than to do so.