Ask Serenno Field Trip!!!1!!!1!1!!!1!

[Darth Tiamat]

Serenno Academy

She was comfortable with having just one charge to follow her around, some stupid questions here and there and flat out clumsiness, but it was usually fixed with a warning glare and they typically shaped up. Now she was in charge of several and she could already feel the dread squeezing her tightly. In addition to just plain stupidity, there was also body odor and ensuring their safety (to an extent) if something unexpected were to occur. Nevertheless, what in the name of Obi-Wan's adobe was she supposed to do with this many acolytes?

For three days she had been pulling her ideas from her head on what would be somewhat appealing to the students. Nothing seemed like they were good, and even for a brief seven minutes had an existential crisis on the liveliness of her own hobbies in the eyes of those that see her.

She could lecture them, but remembered how she used to sleep through Emryc's lectures, and if she couldn't nap, then they couldn't do it either.

Seeing she had some acolytes who were lacking in academics, going to a prestige museum or university for the evening was not going to work out well.

She was certain they got much lightsaber practice at their respected schools...

Tiamat had no idea.

The redhaired woman starred at her work, trying to decide just to go back to her computers or to sit and stare at her pen pad with several ideas crossed off her rough draft itinerary. The chrono beeped and so did her droid Gee-Gee, to remind her the transport of acolytes would be arriving shortly. Tapping her pen, she eventually dropped it into a drawer with the pad of paper before slamming it shut. She exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as she collected herself, pushing away all the ideas she was forcing herself to create and headed outside to wait for the transport to arrive with the acolytes.

@Sreeya @Altaris @Arcangel @Mr. Teatime @Vicc125

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil liked field trips, insatiable curiosity and the call of adventure spurring him to go on whichever ones were made available. He didn't actually know where this one was going yet but 'field trip' was good enough. Plus he got extra credit from this kinda stuff, a good bonus since he wanted as much as he could get for his archive-centric and academic goals. He showed up in a comfy fit good for most weather and moving around, a red hat smooshed artfully onto his thick hair with a bit peeking out the front. Basic earrings and basic nails he'd done a few days prior out of boredom.

'Course the paint'd probably chip, but who cared? Exploring. He wouldn't be shy about hanging around other space-bus-goers if they gathered up, although his contributions were mostly in writing or sign to Ailis. Else, he was doing speed-sketches of stuff the transport flew by to pass the time.

He also had his backpack, water, spare clothes, sketchpad, weapons if they were a thing, plus other odds and ends he usually brought with him. Off the transport he stepped, one hand in his pocket and the other holding his sketchpad, quietly chewing gum. Anyone else who'd asked would've also gotten gum on the way over.

When he saw Tiamat he'd greet her like a teacher, similar to last time. Gee-Gee got a more relaxed wave. Sol still didn't get why that droid had seemed to like him, but it was kinda cute. In a metal orb sort of way. Soleil pondered the orb and wondered what they'd be off to do this time. With any luck, it wouldn't involve a desert.

@GABA @Sreeya @Altaris @Arcangel @Vicc125

 

[Altair Din]

Altair had been at a low point since the wildfire business. Since then, he had spiraled a bit, binging in alcohol, drugs, women, everything in between. It took a visit from his sister to start getting his head back in the game. He also thought about the promise he made to Veles about slowly becoming a high performing Sith. As much as the two butted heads, he respected Veles far too much to ever go back on his word.

The tiefling was adorned in formal Imperial uniform with matching boots, his hair neatly styled and with an earthy cologne on him without a single trace of herbs. Altair cut an imposing figure in formalwear, and it was a rare glimpse of him wearing form fitting attire that accented his physique. He wore his matukai gloves today, his collapsible wan-shen stashed away for emergencies. Altair brought only necessary items for any outdoor survival, but nothing excess beyond that. Unlike usual, the tiefling was quiet for a lot of the journey, lost in his own thoughts.

Altair stepped off the ramp and walked over to stand near Sol. Once he spotted Tiamat, he gave a curt nod.

@GABA @Altaris @Arcangel @Vicc125

 

[Maerae Verdan]

Onboard the transport that was delivering them to Serenno, Maerae found herself seated and reading through her datapad. The academy on this planet was for true Sith hopefuls, not for lesser acolytes like back on Dromund Kaas. Maerae wasn't sure how she found herself here: on a field trip with acolytes far more impressive than herself, chaperoned by a Sith Lord (or was she a Champion now? Maerae didn't follow the internal politics of the Sith as much as she should have.) who was likely used to a high echelon of students.

But this was a chance to prove she was worth more than the scum back on Dromund Kaas; that she belonged here, among acolytes that actually had a future in the Empire. Unfortunately, Maerae had no idea what to expect. Or even where they were going. So she was dressed simply, in her usual robes, hoping they wouldn't be in extreme conditions.

The transport touched down, and Maerae stood and gathered her things: her lightsaber, and a small pack containing rations, a heavy cloak, rope, a flare, and a few other small amenities. With her postured ramrod straight, and her arms clasped behind her back, the young acolyte strode down the ramp. She stopped beside two of her fellow acolytes, both whom seemed to gesture at their appointed chaperone.

Maerae gave Tiamat a respectful bow, "my Lord."

@GABA @Altaris @Arcangel @Sreeya

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t deny the fact that she was genuinely looking forward to this field trip. Never mind the fact that she hadn’t the slightest clue what the adventure entailed or where they were going - the half-Sephi was dying break out of the typical classroom environment back at the academy, and had practically jumped at the opportunity to go off-world. Not to mention, Vahliri had worked with Tiamat in the past - and knew the senior Sith well enough to know that she wasn’t likely to throw an Acolyte off the cliff for the smallest mistake - which was more than could be said about most of the Sith Lords who hosted these expeditions.

Or, at least, Vahliri believed that was the case.

The half-Sephi was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black blouse, alongside a pair of matching boots designed for more outdoorsy terrain. Her black hair was pulled away from her face and into a long braid that draped across her left shoulder, while the air around Vahliri was heavily scented with the half-Sephi’s jasmine and lilac perfume. She kept the curved hilt of her lightsaber clipped to her belt, and brought a backpack filled with the basic necessities.

Vahliri stepped down the ramp as they arrived on Serenno, allowing her honeyed gaze to sweep across those assembled. Maerae was the only one she didn’t readily recognize from some previous event - unlike Sol and Ailis - but her gaze was naturally drawn towards the Tiefling that stood among them.

The half-Sephi couldn’t help the way her jaw dropped ever-so-slightly when she saw him, taking in the sight of the Tiefling in his armor. It was the first time she had seen him in something that professional, and damn if he didn’t look sharp in it. Her eyes lingering on the way the armor complimented his fine physique far longer than necessary, slowly flicking up and down.

Unfortunately, her eyes were drawn away when the half-Sephi nearly walked into one of the extended pistons of the ramp on her way down - too busy staring at Altair to watch where she was going. She managed to veer just in time to save from completely embarrassing herself, blinking stupidly a few times before readjusting the backpack on her shoulders and continuing down to join the other Acolytes like nothing had happened.

The half-Sephi gave both Ailis and Sol a wave and nod of her head - a gesture that was extended towards Maerae as well. She stood just a few feet to Altair’s left, a genuine smile tugging at her lips as she looked over at him. “I dig the uniform,” She said towards him, “Looks good as hell on you.”

@GABA @Mr. Teatime @Vicc125 @Sreeya @Arcangel

 

[Ailis Drast]

Ailis had heard about the field trip and honestly jumped at the chance to get off of Taris, if only briefly. The extra credit helped. And she had heard some Dromund Kaas academy students might be there too. All good things.

They were going to Serenno, at least initially, the most prestigious academy in the Sith Empire. Talk about goals. The likelihood of being around higher ranking Sith meant she needed to be on her best behavior. It also meant that this trip was a Dress to Impress: Sith Edition moment. Ailis had been working on this version of her acolyte uniform for a while, and had spent not a small amount of money to make it as Sithy looking as she could. By Sithy of course that meant lots of black and other dark shades.

The trip brief had said to be prepared for anything. Ailis had done a bit of research trying to figure out what exactly anything was, and what to bring in the event of anything. In the end she had settled "her" new lightsaber, "borrowed" from the training rooms and modified after a bit of research to function in both its original training mode and the standard burn your limbs off mode. The lightsaber had seemed happy about that. She also had a small pack with her datapad, necessities, field rations, and some emergency equipment. Rope, flashlights, flares, survival blade, some of those foily emergency blankets. Really she had just gotten a list off the holonet and went shopping.

Ailis arrived on the shuttle from Taris Academy, wondering if a certain someone from Dromund Kaas would be there. Stepping off the shuttle, she looked around and was immediately greeted with the sight of a sephi girl (@Altaris ) nearly walking into a piston on her own boarding ramp. Ailis giggled quietly to herself before following the girls gaze to see what was so distracting.

Oh.

Altair was there. And he was looking damn fine in a sleek Imperial uniform, his jet black hair slicked back. He looked hot... and powerful. It was a good thing she hadn't caught a look of him while she was walking or she might have done the same embarrassing things as Sephigirl. It seemed like she was intent on talking to Altair so Ailis just waited until she caught the tiefling's (@Sreeya ) eye and gave him a finger wave and a smile as she settled into the group. There would be plenty of time to talk later hopefully. Looking around at the other acolytes she noticed Sol and another girl that she didn't know.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

She managed to let out one last long sigh as the acolytes begun to exit from the transports; she checked her holopad, quickly typing something out before tucking it away under her arm as the young sith gathered before her. It might have been helpful if she knew how many where coming, she didn't even think of checking, but she guessed any who would arrive late would be left behind. The first to appear was Sol, the droid beside her spun in its spot when he gave him a wave. Tiamat frowned, looking down at the droid with a disapproving glare. She quickly turned her attention back to the students, given Sol a small nod to his greeting.

Next was Altair, and Tiamat nearly had to do a doubletake when she saw the tiefling who seemed to take a 180 since seeing him on Taris. He gave her a nod and she went to return one when she caught Vahl tumbling out of the transport in a less dignified manner before she fell in with the rest of the group. Also with them was a new face, Maerae and last but not least, an acolyte who seemed to over-do it when it came to be prepared. She (Ailis) was certainly just short of carrying her own ship on her back, but she would give her credit regardless for the effort.

Ok...five...that wasn't too bad?

Her gaze swept across the acolytes once more before speaking, "Alright, just some rules: Do NOT touch anything in my lab unless I tell you to." she warned; she opened her mouth to spout out some more but paused and shook her head before turning on her heel and beckoning for them to follow, "Come along."

Tiamat would lead the group through the halls of the Serenno academy; unfortunately, her lab was on the other end of the school. to which she felt was done on purpose, given if any accidents occur, it would blow out the side of the building, and not from the center, leading to a complete structural collapse. Given she did not expect them to horse-around and embarrass her yet, she hoped they could get to her lab without drama or fighting breaking out. Otherwise, they would arrive minutes later, double blast doors opening to workbenches and terminals spread across the room. Several different projects looked as though they were started, and at various points of being finished.

However, what the acolyte eyes would be drawn to was the large circular structure at the other end of the lab. Two had seen larger versions, the spacegate, but not the one that allowed for beings to walk across the galaxy. Tia slowed her pace as she lead the acolytes to the other end of the lab to get a closer look at the gate, but ensured they didn't get too close to touch.

"So we will be going through the hypergate today, any questions?" she asked, feeling she should give them to opportunity to pique their own interests instead of trying to force feed them information.

@Mr. Teatime @Sreeya @Vicc125 @Altaris @Arcangel

 

[Altair Din]

Altair was doing his best to play the good student, and he was largely oblivious to Vahliri staring at him until she almost face planted. He glanced over, reaching over to catch her if she still stumbled. Altair smiled at the compliment, “Lookin’ hot and as impractically dressed as ever,” He quipped back at her with a playful wink before he looked over to the side. He spotted Ailis in the distance and waved at her with a smile before looking ahead again.

He surveyed the current cohort - Ailis and Vahliri who he got along with, that Sol kid he didn’t like, and another student he never met before (@Vicc125 ). As a social guy, once they started walking, he sped up a bit to catch up to the acolyte he hadn’t met. He first checked to see if she would throw a fit about his devil appearance or not. If she seemed chill, he would wave politely, “Hey, I’m Altair,” He offered her a smile before he continued to follow the group.

Altair looked around as they arrived, seeing a bunch of complex formulas and math that already gave him anxiety. When Tiamat mentioned going through a gate, he blinked a few times. He slowly raised his hand.

“Yeah uh… is this gon’ hurt?”

@GABA @Altaris @Mr. Teatime @Arcangel

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri couldn’t help but flash Altair an appreciative smile. The half-Sephi had largely avoided eating shit on the way down, but she nevertheless braced herself against Altair to come to a complete halt, latching onto his bicep. She mouthed a ‘thank you’ before releasing him and dusting herself off.

A clear bit of redness rushed to Vahliri’s cheeks at his compliment, her ears swiveling downward a bit in response to the words. Of course, she blinked a few times when she actually registered the other half of his statement. The half-Sephi did a once over of her attire, squinting a bit before looking back up at Altair entirely serious.

“This is practical.” As if to prove that point, Vahliri lifted her foot, gesturing to the outdoorsy boots she was sporting. She turned her attention back ahead when Tiamat finally arrived, greeting the senior Sith with a firm nod of her head. “Don’t touch anything, got it.” She muttered under her breath.

Vahliri followed along as they moved deeper into the lab, looking around to do a once over of the group - particularly to those she didnt immediately recognize. She offered both Maerae and Ailis a wave of her fingers. “I’m Vahliri.” She said with a smile, her eyes flicking between the two before moving back ahead.

Her eyes wandered around the lab as they finally arrived, glancing over the complex formulas and projects that the half-Sephi didn’t have the slightest grasp of. Naturally, her eyes wandered towards the circular structure on the other end of the lab.

She couldn’t help but squint. That’s a hypergate? Wasn't the thing above Dantooine a hypergate? Did they come in different shapes and sizes? Vahliri glanced towards Tiamat, only to quickly remember the last time she asked a question along those lines and promptly shut up.

After a few more moments, Vahliri settled on a different question. “..What’s on the other side of it?”

@GABA @Sreeya @Arcangel @Vicc125

 

[Soleil Altan]

Soleil's eyebrows rose in surprise, seeing Altair not just without sagging pants and anime boxers but in a full Imperial uniform instead. He didn't even smell sweaty or smoked out this time, all cologne, straight spine, and metallic gauntlets. Also, he'd been near-silent on the way over. Sol half expected some bullshit Core clip to come spilling from the dude's mouth. He'd seen people try that before to seem 'more Imperial', whatever that meant.

For some reason the regular light twang made Sol feel better about it. From his perspective, the change of look was discomfortingly abrupt, but damn if the Tiefling didn't wear it well. The ensemble got a of appreciation from the silent acolyte when Altair's serious gaze passed over him. Still wasn't gonna convince Sol to swap out his easy-moving fit for armor just yet. Water-repelling athletic shoes and ankle coverings, durable and roomy pants, all picked so Sol could look and move how he was used to. He even had a temporary lightsaber this time around thanks to the aptitude test he'd taken pre-trip.

Ailis' new look was just as jarring in a good sort of way, the Wrean half-grinning and throwing her a languid greeting wave as the group began to walk forward. <Slick Sith look> he signed when she looked his way. There was also someone new he didn't know, the most formally dressed and speaking of them all. She seemed alright so far but Sol wasn't going to chase her down to try introducing himself in the mini-crowd. 'SOL' was engraved on the usual brushed steel plate-and-chain bracelet and would be raised to eye level if she looked in his direction.

He didn't comment on Vahliri's nearly headbutting a pillar- naturally- but had to fight down the urge to smile. It was like a cartoon where their jaw dropped to the floor, although she did get to lean on Altair and feel up his arm. Sol wondered if that whole sequence was on purpose.

Now in the lab Sol's eyes curiously wandered across every weird bit, bob, and bauble along the wall before settling solidly on the hypergate, eyes taking it in and memorizing the shape. He leaned forward, eyeing it with crystal-clear interest after his experiences with the bigger one. The other two questions were completely relevant in his opinion, glancing approving toward Altair and then Vahl. Sol still tried to get Gee-Gee's attention to add <How's moving living stuff work?> Outside a ship's stabilization, people at lightspeed usually uh...

Atomize, was the word. He had his note/sketchbook ready to copy down answers.

@GABA @Sreeya @Arcangel @Altaris @Vicc125

 

[Maerae Verdan]

Maerae moved swiftly among the halls of the academy with her fellow acolytes, arms still tucked behind her back. She took time to note the facility, and how it looked more... professional than Dromund Kass. Not necessarily cleaner, or even more grand, but just more put together. In all honesty, the acolyte couldn't quite describe it in words: there was simply a feeling to this academy, as if it were more sophisticated than she was used to.

In all honesty, she didn't belong in these halls. But she didn't make that opinion known.

Two of her fellow students went out of their way to greet her: a horned man who appeared to be very professional (if a bit casual in the way he spoke), and a Sephi (?) woman who was clearly dressed for fashion. Altair and Vahliri. Those were names that she could remember.

"Maerae," she nodded her head in their direction, face still stoic, "it's a pleasure to meet you both."

And then they were in front of... a thing. A circular thing. A thing of which Maerae had never heard of, glimpsed, or even dreamt of. That only made it all the more clear how limited her training and studies had been back on Dromund Kaas. She almost felt like an imposter among these other Sith, all younger than her, but still her seniors somehow.

It made her seethe.

"Forgive me, my Lord, but I'm ignorant as to what this structure is. What is its function?"

@GABA @Altaris @Arcangel @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime

 

[Ailis Drast]

Ailis caught Sol's signing but didn't respond. Ailis tried not to react when she saw the Sephi girl stumble into Altair in a way that to her looked... entirely intentional. Still she was glad when the tiefling boy returned her wave and tried not to let it show too much on her smile that grew just a little. She turned her attention to the Sith lady that was leading the field trip and wondered if she was supposed to know her name. She didn't but she listened anyways as she told them some rules. Really just one rule. Don't touch anything in her lab.

That seemed reasonable. Ailis decided she would try to respect this rule as they made their way to the lab. Once inside Ailis was practically enthralled by what she saw there. A half dozen half finished projects that she could scarcely comprehend their purpose. Ailis looked at the sith lady with new respect before she was interrupted by Sephi girl waving and introducing herself.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Ailis." She said, giving Vahliri (@Altaris ) a look up and down and a smile that was totally and 100% real. Not. She did however turn to the girl Vahliri had also waved to. "Hey! I'm Ailis." She said with a bubbly smile as she gave the girl a wave. She looked pretty intense in her sithy robes. Ailis wasn't a big fan of robes but she would forgive the girl of her fashion crime. Better than sephigirl's skintight jeans and shoulder-less blouse. This was a Sith field trip, not an autumn coffee shop.

Ailis' lip twitched into a small smirk as Altair asked if passing through the gate would hurt. The other's questions all seemed perfectly reasonable, but there was one thing that nagged at her mind. "Are there any known short-term or long-term side effects of passing through the hypergate?" Ailis asked, less concerned about temporary pain that might be caused walking through the thing and more concerned about... long term damage. It seemed a bit sketch to her.

Not that that would stop her from walking through it.

@GABA @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Altaris @Vicc125

 

[Darth Tiamat]

It was a moment like this one did Tiamat begin to miss the intellectual finesse of lecturing at the universities. She can come to realize for a while there were stupid questions, but now she had a whole group asking things that made her face contort into expressions she didn't even know that existed until now. How in the galaxy did Emryc never start hitting her in the side of the head for some of the questions she asked is beyond her.

Yeah uh… is this gon’ hurt?

"No![" Tiamat squeaked, seemingly shocked as she glanced at Altair as though he just insulted her, "Its a portal, not a torture device..." she frowned turning her attention to the next question.

..What’s on the other side of it?

The lab? Did she mean where they were going? Tiamat did her best to not let a long sigh escape with too much emphasis, "An exit point once it's activated."

The droid beeped, translating Sol's question; the redhaired woman, patience thinning shrugged, "Its not the same as hyperspace travel, we're using a different sect of astro-physics to make it possible to transfer to one of part of the galaxy to another. Therefore, organics and droid alike can step through without being exposed to excessive amounts of radiation. Its inaccurate to label it as ancient, giving the idea its obsolete, when in fact, its revolutionary and a game-changer in transportation."

Forgive me, my Lord, but I'm ignorant as to what this structure is. What is its function?

"Space and terrain travel without hyperdrives."

Are there any known short-term or long-term side effects of passing through the hypergate?

Okay, so that was a legit question and she took out her holopad to make a note next to Ailis' name, "Death of course, if the safety functions do not detect travel abnormalities and emergency shut off in time, you can either land on a different location, in space, or lost in between. I do not suggest to go through if you're pregnant," she stated flatly, though they haven't really tested on pregnant species, "We've looked biological changes for several species and seen more cognitive complications with organics who are unable to metabolize oxygen." she quickly glanced through the group, "You should all be fine." she determined.

Tiamat walked over to a terminal, feeling she answered enough questions for a few years and started typing into the hypergate computer system, "One thing they do not teach you in your academies is understanding everyday peoples." she started, moving away from the technical jargon of the hypergates, "So, let's head over to Taris, grab a pizza and discuss more about what I mean." she finished and the gate begun to glow, the shimmer of transferring energies came to life in the center of the gate where Tiamat now stood.

"Follow me." she ordered and stepped through the portal.

@Arcangel @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Altaris @Vicc125

 

[Maerae Verdan]

Traveling throughout space without the need of a hyperdrive engine, or a steel bulwark around you to protect you from the obvious side effects from being propelled through space that quickly? Maerae could only marvel at the structure before her, and the implications of such a thing. It went beyond just simple hyperspace travel. And... she had to know how it worked. Or at least, what it was like to step through it.

So when Tiamat bid that they follow her, Maerae was the first to step through.

She felt, well, really nothing at first. Despite what their instructor for the day had told them, she had still expected a little pain. Or discomfort. Maybe even a little nausea. Yet, all Maerae felt was a sort of... fluttering over her skin. As if a pair of wings were beating the air around her. It was hard to describe in only words, she thought. You had to feel it.

Her feet hit solid ground on the other side. She stumbled, but only for a single step. Then, the young acolyte caught herself and stood straight. She craned her neck, initially looking for Lord Tiamat, but found herself in a trance when she did, in fact, see the city scape of Taris all around her.

"Incredible..." Despite her self control, Maerae couldn't help but voice her awe, "we've traveled across the space between stars in a mere moment. No waiting on hyperspace travel... No ship required. You could deploy fleets across the galaxy in an instant, land platoons on the ground without requiring dropships, render the blockade of hyperspace routes entirely obsolete..."

Maerae trailed off, her mind still whirling with the possibilities of this technology. The Sith could truly rule the galaxy, if they made proper use of such a marvel. And she hadn't known of it. Would never have known of it, if she had stayed on Dromund Kaas.

@GABA @Altaris @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Arcangel

 

[Altair Din]

Altair looked visibly disappointed at Tiamat’s strong reaction to his question. The disappointment was quickly replaced with a rather blank expression as he decided questions weren’t actually welcome. He had come here actually wanting to make an effort, but his attention span rapidly began to wane. The tiefling looked away and would leave it to the other kids to brown nose Tiamat and tell her only things she wanted to hear. He half listened to the rest of the dialogue, his focus on the gate as it came to life.

He shrugged vaguely and stepped through as the others did, stumbling a bit as his feet found solid ground again. The tiefling whipped back to look and was surprised to see the gate no longer there. His violet gaze looked around at a familiar cityscape, one he recognized as Taris. He had an unmistakable and borderline comedic shocked look on his face, mouth agape and eyes wide.

Altair couldn’t help but linger on the fact that there was no gate to go back. Did that mean it only worked one way, in which case it added a litany of complications to all the crap Maerae just rambled about? Oh well, probably a dumb question, so he didn’t bother. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he began to walk with the others, loosely following the group.

He glanced over at Vahliri (@Altaris )who was likely near him as he walked, “Guess you ain’t impractically dressed after all,” Altair said with a grin. If they were going for pizza, he was the one overdressed. As he walked, he couldn’t help but notice that he got more looks of fear than usual because now he looked like a demon that was very clearly also a Sith.

@Arcangel @Mr. Teatime @GABA @Vicc125

 

[Ailis Drast]

Ailis listened as Tiamat answered each of the questions in turn, pulling out her own pad and taking notes of some of the answers. She noticed when Altair seemed to visibly shrink away form the older Sith's answer. She thought it was a perfectly valid question.

The idea of instantaneous travel across hyperspace... Well it was both fascinating and terrifying. Ailis would be the first to admit that her understanding of hyperspatial physics was amateurish at best, so this was all new and exciting stuff for her, if a bit beyond her depth.

She paid particular attention when Tia got around to her question, not missing the note that the Sith made after she asked. Hmm.

Death was about as undesirable of a side effect as there was, though it seemed that the sith scientist likely at least had that kink worked out. She breathed oxygen, check. Definitely wasn't pregnant, check. Seemed safe to her... And if it wasn't, well she wouldn't have to worry about it if she died somewhere in the void after stepping out into space without a space suit.

Ailis eyes went a little wide as Tiamat activated the portal and energies shimmered in the field. Wow. She was a hop skip and a step behind Tiamat and the lab around them dematerialized into... well. The disappointing streets of Taris. Apparently this was a pizza party. Still, it was pretty marvelous that they had just... walked there. How many lightyears away was Serenno from Taris?

"Of all the places we could go, and we go back to Taris?" She grumbled to herself as she unceremoniously dumped the pack of supplies that she had brought with for some sort of outdoor adventure onto the ground and kept walking. She wasn't going to be needed rope or foil survival blankets here, not when her academy dorm was like... maybe seventy eight blocks away. She also glared slightly at the back of Vahl's head who now seemed like the one dressed for the occasion, getting all of Altair's attention. She blew a lock of hair out of her eyes in frustration.

She felt a little awkward strolling these same streets in Sith garb with a lightsaber bumping against her thigh, the eyes of many citizens on the group. Taris may belong to the Sith, but the people weren't exactly always keen about their occupiers walking the streets.

@GABA @Sreeya @Altaris @Mr. Teatime @Vicc125

 

[Soleil Altan]

He frowned a little when Ailis didn't respond, but he figured she was still cross with him and didn't push it. Soleil took his notes of Tiamat's answers, although he looked up and had to stop himself from staring when she squeaked out the first one. 'Doesn't hurt' was added to his notes. Obviously it wasn't a torture device, but lots of beneficial stuff could still hurt. He felt kinda bad for Altair, who'd clearly checked out from the QA session after Tiamat's impression of an aghast bath toy.

All the questions sounded normal. None of the acolytes were anywhere near being astrogation specialists or worked with hyper gates. Sol thought some answers seemed dismissive or weird, but he still wrote them down and decided to be extra-specific next time he had a question. At least they were going somewhere new and exciting to explore the potential of hypergates!

Wait. Pizza on Taris? This time he couldn't help the blank staring at Tiamat's back while she stepped into the portal, although he was quickly distracted by there being a godsdamn portal shimmering in front of him. With obvious glee Soleil snapped his notebook shut and stepped eagerly forward through it after the others, whipping through space and time.

An instant later he stepped out onto an old candy bar wrapper laying on the street. He picked it up and chucked it into a nearby dumpster, looking around the street. He was clearly amazed they'd gone that far so quickly, which unfortunately faded as he took in the immensely mundane surroundings.

Behind them, the portal had gone. He wondered if that was normal and walked along with the group, shoving idle hands in pockets and chewing his gum thoughtfully while Maerae gushed. Hazel eyes briefly glanced at Aillis' grumpily grumbling countenance, now sans survive pack and eyeing Vahliri for some reason. Sol raised a concerned brow without comment.

At least we won't get fucking mugged he thought with a dry expression, resisting the urge to blow gum bubbles and checking out the things around them. Lots of wary staring went their way, many toward Altair and his horns. Soleil didn't entirely get land-dwellers' ideas of demons. Wrean "demons" were completely different.

What was so bad about horns 'n stuff compared to glowing tendrils, meters-long teeth, and hypnotically flashing lights that drew onlookers deeper into the pitch-black depths of ocean trenches? Sol slightly shivered as if from a chill.

@GABA @Sreeya @Altaris @Arcangel @Vicc125

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliriallowed her eyes to linger on Ailis for a few seconds longer than was necessary - observing the fellow Acolyte and the way she smiled at the half-Sephi. It was a smile that didn’t quite reach the girl’s eyes - and the fakeness of it was only exasperated in comparison to the bubbly way that Ailis greeted Maerae.

The half-Sephi blinked a few times, turned back to face ahead, and proceeded to roll her eyes with such intensity it was a wonder they didn’t spin out of her skull. The half-Sephi hadn’t the slightest clue what Ailis’ problem was, and Vahliri certainly wasn’t about to ask.

Instead, Vahliri kept her focus on the task ahead and the question she posed to Tiamat. Of course, the half-Sephi couldn’t help but frown ever-so-slightly at the response from the senior Sith - though it was somewhat of an improvement from her question and the subsequent disappointed state she received back on Dantooine.

Vahliri exhaled through her nostrils, listening in silence to the remaining questions that were thrown Tiamat’s way. When the hypergate finally hummed to life, the half-Sephi couldn’t help but shift somewhat uncomfortably. After a moment of hesitation, she finally took in a breath and stepped through - following alongside the rest of the group.

She blinked, her eyes opening to the streets of Taris and solid ground beneath her feet. The half-Sephi immediately whipped around behind her, only to find a busy thoroughfare - not the hypergate portal - behind her. There was no denying the look of awe that was plastered across the half-Sephi’s lips at that moment, lingering for a long while before she looked at Tiamat again.

“How do we leave?” She blurted out. “I mean,” The half-Sephi pursed her lips, reorienting the words a bit. “The way closed behind us - so how do we get back to Serenno without another gate? Or is it only a one-way trip?” She was fully prepared for Tiamat to smack down the question, but oh well. Vahliri was curious.

And secretly hoped that she wouldn’t have to endure yet another long flight from Taris after have literally just left the planet a few weeks ago.

Regardless of Tiamat’s answer, Vahliri began to walk alongside the rest of the group - presumably making their way towards a pizza joint. Naturally, the half-Sephi gravitated towards Altair and left Ailis’ salty-ass to be salty for whatever reason.

She couldn’t help but grin at the Tiefling’s words. “All according to plan, obviously.” The half-Sephi threw in a wink and a playful nudge of her elbow. She was entirely unable to keep the amusement out of her tone, knowing full well she hadn’t planned jack shit and yet still planned to capitalize upon the fact that her outfit didn’t only look good, but was practical for the current situation. “Still lookin’ sharp.” She added in, flashing him a grin, outright ignoring anyone else who was giving their group looks. She walked in silence for a few more moments, continuing on their way towards the pizza joint.

@Sreeya @GABA @Arcangel @Vicc125 @Mr. Teatime

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat stood silently, counting the number of acolytes coming through the portal and thinking of how she would handle any of those who thought to touch something in her lab when she first went through. Luckily, they all made it to the other side; the looks on their faces and some of the comments such as by Maerae told Tiamat they were fairly impressed with the gate. Though there was an air of awkward as some of the acolytes realized they were perhaps overdressed or overprepared, and despite one dumping her gear, Tiamat frowned, but didn't say anymore about it.

"Maerae's right, this technology does make hyperspace routes nearly obsolete. In this moment, the Empire is connecting her territories large enough to allow ships pass." she explained, and then heard Vahl speak, questioning how to get back when they only just made it here!

"Some gates are just one way, but we can also set them up to allow two-way crossing, opening a continuous portal for transport." she explained, "So...always know where you are going so you have a way off." she hummed, noting the number of times she ended up on some botched coordinates and arriving far from any cities or villages. She glanced at the civilians who passed them as she lead the student group; she followed their gazes to over her shoulder and toward Altair, noting mild discomfort from the acolyte.

"Whether you're in uniform or dressed to blend in, its your decision to how you will let others make you feel, meaning you can let their distaste bring you to their level or you can carry your chin with respect and pride." she stated, guiding the group through some less crowded streets into what looked to be a residential area with a few shops in between housing units. One place in particular listed just a blinking sign labelled "Pizza" and an arrow to a joint underneath a specialized podiatry shop that looked to be as ancient as some of its customers exiting from the shop. Tiamat took the stairs to the restaurant underneath; inside it looked rather ordinary, mundane, but the smell of dough and baked cheese and garlic was inviting to most.

@Arcangel @Altaris @Vicc125 @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime

 

[Altair Din]

Altair grinned at Vahliri’s words, glancing over when she nudged him and then paid him a compliment. In turn, his tail came up to playfully tap her on the side, “You’d tell me that even if I showed up wearing a trash bag,” He gave her a wink before facing forward again. Altair glanced back over his shoulder towards Ailis, trying to keep a straight face, “Ailis, you wanna give us a tour of this magical new place?” He couldn't help but laugh a bit before quickly shuffling ahead in case the playful quip actually pissed her off. Sith women were always so damn unpredictable that any joke was walking on thin ice.

He kept walking before he looked over at Tiamat. His expression softened at her kind words, his gaze flicking back to the crowds, “I kinda dig this, to be honest,” Altair admitted, “I feel kinda like a badass in this get-up,” He decided he would wear these uniforms more often.

Altair held the door open for everyone to step through, but he stepped through shortly before Sol made it over, the door shutting in his face. The tiefling looked ahead once he walked in, “My bad dude, didn’t see ya there,” He stated simply with his eyes on the pizza menu.

He decided to order himself a meat lover’s combo and some hot wings. Altair tilted his head to look at Ailis again, “This place seems legit. How come you never showed me this!”

@GABA @Mr. Teatime @Arcangel @Altaris