Fresh Air to Breathe (Open)

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Korriban. Birthplace of the sith and home to those who claim that spiritual heritage. To some, just a desert. To others... The sands of Korriban represented much more than their individual grains and harsh climate. No... Korriban was not just a rock. For it was alive.

And Kilchii could feel that as he strolled through the halls of the academy, bare feet padding against stone and metal in a steady cadence. The wide halls and large rooms of the academy were always cold comfort. Oh, how he longed to have open sky above his head and sun on his skin. It had been far too long since he got a proper walk away from his room and his studies. True, he was not excused from working on his training just because he wanted to breathe fresh air... But that didnt mean he couldnt go for a productive, if enthusiastic, walk outside.

It was with this in mind that Kilchii strolled out into the open air of the sith world. Air brushing past his montrals and head-tails twitching idley. He just couldnt help himself. Kilchii's face broke into an enormous toothy grin. Pointed teeth catching the light with unnatural whiteness. The young sith took a running start and leapt up, using the force to aid his leap, landing on the top of a small pillar. There were many such structures on Korriban. And as Kilchii sat down cross legged and precariously balanced on the top... He could only feel grateful.

After all. They made magnificent perches.

 

[Asinine Soup]

A gentle, almost depressing sigh escapes the semi-pursed lips of brunette. "...this planet is absolutely horrid for sensitive skin..." she comments in a dull tone beneath her breath.

Spoiler: Flashback

{{Three months she'd been here. Three months since she'd stepped off that transport and onto the dry, dry planet absolutely riddled with energy deeper than she could grasp. Three months of instructors taunting, fellow acolytes preying, seething Sith whispering, "IT won't last a week." Well, as proven by her first test in an attempt to rid her from the planet, she'd struck down a fellow Acolyte, exerting an exhale as the humanoid falls to the ground. Dust hovers from where they fell, and as Lillieth's vibroblade discontinues its hum...

"Well? Finish the weakling." the instructor commands, albeit surprised at the display of finesse with that dazzling blade in the young human's hand. "Unless it's his monthly spilling all over the floor, I'd say he's done." A scowl emits the Sith's visage, a keen, cackling blue chain of dark energy spilling from his fingertips in the form of purple-blue Lightning. It strikes the bleeding human and finishes what Lillieth inadvertently began: an anti-climactic death within the first hours on Korriban.}}

Lillieth remembered that day as she spots two others within the same, rather secluded area. A stunning view on an otherwise dead planet, filled with Dark energy, multi-millennia-old structures and history (admittedly, her favorite), and - worst of all - a hot sun to dry her skin. Meditation and...chanting, oh so drab and boring and made her seem older than what she actually was. So upon conjuring the Force, a leap extends her from one structure to land on to the next. With a latch unto the ledge and a gentle grunt, she would be only meters away from the strange-looking alien with multi-colored skin.

It was Killchi and he held a memorable face. They entered the world together, she recalls, but wouldn't say so. Instead, she crosses her legs and mimics the meditation cross-legged and facing the strange Acolyte along the way.
It wouldn't take long before her impatience got to her. He wasn't even moving. He was just sitting here. Well, she could change that. Without given much thought to her consequences that may behold the action, a powder-rock is lifted through a keen use of the Force. Basic, by very definition.
The rock flies forward with the intent to pelt the...'thing', and were it to land, it would explode into a gentle puff of reddish-brown dirt.

Were he to look up?...He'd just see Lillieth Sunsinger. Grinning kindly. Anyone who knew a mischievous princess' grin when they saw it would recognize it instantly. Especially as she parts her lips to speak.
"Hey. I'm Lillieth."

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Kilchii was well aware that someone had settled across from him on another pillar, even if he couldnt identify exactly who it was. Ah... The convenience of his Montrals. They gave him an edge that Non Togruta could only dream of. Passive Echolocation, to a degree, which let him feel nearby objects moving. That said. She hadnt exactly been silent landing on the pillar. Especially not to a species bred to be an apex predator. His eyes remained closed as he took a deep breath. Kilchii willed himself to remain perfectly still. Content to let the other sith make the first move. After all, what was he going to say to someone he didnt know.

However, the moment that the Togruta sensed the approaching projectile his natural predator's reflexes kicked in. Yellow orange eyes snapped open and started tracking the projectile through the air, even as the Limited Data from his Montrals told him what else he needed to know. Just a dust-rock. The kind that was all too common on the dusty world of Korriban. It didnt present any threat to him. With inhuman reflex, Kilchii's right hand snapped up and took the blunt of the powdery blow. He didnt look angry. Only slightly annoyed and disappointed. Especially when he saw who it was.

That human female. The one from when he was brought to Korriban. The one with the constant smile who smelled all too clean. Humans... Bah.

"That's a funny way to spell Rude. Tell me, do you make a habit of throwing things at people busy meditating? Or am I just Lucky like that." His voice sounded slightly irritated, but not actually angry. He just enjoyed the occasional verbal sparring match. "Kilchii, by the way. Since we may as well do this right."

 

[Asinine Soup]

The short-haired brunette (the same one that finds herself constantly missing her long, silky strands) observes as the powdered puff of Korriban plumes into a gentle smudge of reddish husk upon the Togruta's palm. Reflexes. Could possibly sense either her presence or the Force within, or manipulated about her. These were all subtle notes taken as she aims to pluck apart the individuals personality - it was all a part of the game, and her leaping up upon this pillar was a rather subtle way of strumming her first pawn piece forward two squares.

"Oh, I just thought I'd join you, 'Kilchii by the way' - you seemed rather lonely." There was subtle mockery within her tone, as she clearly couldn't possibly be as stupid as to not recognize that the individualized training was the point. Right? Well, if she were, it would make her stay here on this dustball of a planet a lot shorter, wouldn't it? "But...no, correlation doesn't imply causation." A pretty and fair smile stretches along her face, thin eyebrow lifting as she implies her habits of interrupting training sessions did not typically involve throwing dust rocks. Tucking her legs closer toward her core to get a better grasp upon the essence of 'meditation' - an art she had little to no understanding of, not to mention the patience to attempt, under normal circumstances - the Togruta receives another question.

"So why here? Of all uncomfortable, drab, lonely, dry..." she pauses, peeking at the fact that she were speaking (more like half-yelling to compensate for the distance of the pillars) upon dusty temple ruin, "...awkwardly chosen locale, why beneath the sun to meditate?" Her words slide along the Basic language as if they were her playground, twisting about as even the negative adjectives meant to purposely judge their new home could be made to sound quite pleasant. "I guess what I'm saying is...I have no idea what I'm doing..." she ends that phrase on a hanging indention, pitch heightened indicating she had something else to add as she pays a peek back toward her extra-terrestrial new acquaintance.

"...and I'd like you to help, if you could spare the time." Another smile. Or grin. Or taunt. Sometimes it was hard for her to understand her motive herself - which made life all the more enjoyable.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

"So. Im just special then... Fantastic."

The Togruta sighed and placed his palms on the pillar under him, steadying himself. Maintaining his balance on such a precarious perch was inconvenient for him without the benefit of being able to focus on it. Ah... The joys of company. He tilted his head at her question, eyes focused on the Human's face and lips quirked up at an odd angle. A confused frown maybe?

"Where else is there on this planet to be connected to the world. Not to mention, people typically dont interrupt me. Its quiet. Its peaceful. And its better than wandering stuffy old stone and durasteel hallways."

As the female framed her second question, Kilchii blinked in genuine surprise. This had to be some sort of trick. Some gimmick to isolate him. Make him easier to manipulate. Even attack him. Such was the way of the sith... Always jockeying for position. Subverting potential rivals and allies alike. The Togruta continued to watch the woman for several more seconds before tipping forwards and pushing himself off from the top of his perch. He executed a somersault in mid air and landed in a crouch.

"If you really do want help, I can help. But make me regret it? You wont like the consequences. Im not someone you want as an enemy."

His voice was calm and his words were as tactless as ever. He truly was a man who spoke his mind.

"Where to."

 

[Asinine Soup]

The girl watches and listens, face beaming despite any threats given her way. She even giggles lightly as the Togruta seemed to loose his balance for but a moment.
When he slips toward the ground giving a hint of his acrobatic nature, she - too - slips downward. Her hair flares brilliantly within the air, and as she lands upon the ground, dust plumes upward within a haze of brown that dissipates as she stands full-height. The two seemed to keep their distance from one another, still, and that was fine by her.

"I had a cove in mind," she starts, side-eyeing the area opposite of whence she came; it was barren, mostly, with scattered ruin and rock. "but there are others there. And here, too." she says cryptically, not doubting that the alien had already spotted one other arrival. Kes could be felt (however faint) nearby. "We can take our time - maybe we'll find something fun along the way."

She seemed excitable as she claps her hands together - twice - to turn. She'd give some of the description of her aforementioned 'cove' as they shared a trail that direction.
"It's quiet, save the occasional shriek of a Dark entity or two. They leave you alone, for the most part." she describes as though she was describing her favorite holo-series. "There may be a corpse or two." She's a chatterbox, but her voice is melodic and mellifluous. "Wouldn't want to ruin your boots, so keep an eye out. Mhm. A few ancient meditation slabs - they look like they're made out of stone? Or maybe worn out steel of some kind... - that's where we'll be sitting."

They'd likely have already taken a few meters by foot as she stops talking for a moment, turning to study to Togruta's expression whilst finishing her phrase. "Then you can...you know. Help me? I don't understand the goal of meditation." And how sincere she sounds as she speaks her plea...

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Kilchii sighed and moved to follow the female. Boy... Could she talk. At great length. About everything and nothing all at once. He was well aware of the dangers that Korriban presented, although even those were becoming more scarce. Truthfully, he hadnt noticed their watcher. Not until she said something. He would have to be more cautious. Learn to feel the force a bit more intimately rather than simply relying on his Montrals to warn him of incoming danger. Just as well that they were going to a place for meditation... He could work there. Try to grasp the subtleties of technique.

At her mention of fun, Kilchii clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Baring his pointed teeth. He got the distinct impression that they had very different ideas of what constituted fun. For example, a fun day for Kilchii began and ended with hunting large game through a dense forest with only a blade and his wits. And yes, Human beings qualified as large game. And at the mention of boots, he replied rather pointedly.

"I dont wear boots." He accented the statement by wiggling his toes in the sand. Everywhere he went, unless he absolutely had to, Kilchii shunned the use of footwear. The idea of being forced to wear such restrictive clothing made his skin crawl. As she turned and addressed him, the Togruta tilted his head quizzically and lifted an eyebrow. Really? You dont Say!

"Unsurprising. With how much you talk. And how jumpy you are. Meditation is about learning patience. To sit... And listen. Like A nexu stalking prey. Patience is key in everything. If you want to stay alive, that is. Now... Lead the way."

 

[Asinine Soup]

"Learning patience?" she states much like it weren't a question, but the bridge to the punchline of her favorite joke.

She liked this guy enough to steal from him. The rest of the walk was in silence, and it took roughly twenty grueling minutes of pacing to travel there. It wasn't the most well-advertised area within the valley they found themselves in; in fact, one could possibly walk right past the entrance to the cove, being only a rough three meters tall and an even smaller amount wide.
A lively grin traipses along her visage, effortlessly painting her delight in the words that would leave them. "Age before beauty, friend."


Anyone whom enters this cove would realize that it was not just nature that created it; script along the walls scribbled upward, the lack of light making the carving and glyph fade. Each footstep would echo, and every so often, a muffled, disembodied shriek could be heard echoing through the cove - yet not loudly. It sounded as though it were miles away.
Decomposed sentient remains can be seen in the corners of the darkness, as well, the weak - yet still Dark Side - energies that they beheld when once alive still latched unto them beyond their graves.
In the middle of the visible room, a single torch (guess whose~) lit the two pallets that could have been an ancient ceremonial floor, for dust and debris coated the obvious markings of power and symbolism that seemed to radiate with anticipation.

This room is absolutely soaked and drenched with the Dark Side's energy. Might be Old Sith Sorcery and illusions at play, hm?

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

The Togruta was seriously considering the merits of shoving the mouthy human female off a cliff as he followed her. It wasnt that he didnt enjoy company. He just didnt like small talk and mindless drivel. And small talk was about all she ever did. Making useless jabs at others and droning on and on about nothing at all. Still. He may as well play nice. Especially since she might still prove useful. So Kilchii just followed her to the little gap in the rock with an annoyed click of his tongue. He declined entirely to respond to the barb about age and beauty.

Kilchii slipped into the gap silently, creeping along with the grace of a practiced hunter. All of his senses were alive and prepared for attack. After all... He didnt quite trust little miss ginger. Not as far as he could throw her, which was probably pretty far to be fair. His eyes picked up the writing on the walls even in dim light. So this wasnt natural... Or perhaps it was, and had just been expanded on and refined. It certainly might be of some interest to him.

Without hesitation the Togruta made his way deeper inside to sit on one of the pallets in the room. His entire body remained tense and coiled like a spring. Ready to react to danger at a moments notice. After all... Places such as this werent often completely unoccupied.

"Well?"

 

[Tristar]

Fresh air was all and good; you could feel the breeze of the sandy air brush past your cheeks, invisible hands stroking smooth skin and molding them into an image of Korriban; a dark, twisted, malignant image that had the accursed taint of the Dark Side festering under the cracked layer of deception.

Korriban; Malignant as it was, it was still home. It was...criminal that I did not make the annual journey back home, if not to sneer at dear mother from a distance, then at least to make the trek up to the coves that pockmarked the walls of the valley where, if I could duly remember, I had stashed a few pieces here and there. Simple trinkets, nothing worth of practical value. But mostly, they were sentimental.

Except for one hidey hole.

That's where my first holocron that I ever fixed was hidden in, and by all accounts it was hidden in one spot where Dark Side energy collectively gathered through an unknown phenomenon due to an ancient blood ritual that took place within the cave; failed? Perhaps. Either way, back when I had first tinkered with the pyramid, the damage dealt to it was horrific to the point even my intellect could only do so much to it's repairs; by all practical means there was nothing wrong with it.

But somehow over the due course of time, it had leaked some of it's primal essence, and was starving out. So, perhaps in desperation, I kept it within the cave. The safe, secluded cave.

The very same cave I spotted 2 bloody acolytes enter.

You ignorant, malignant piece of absolute craptastic fools.

A distance away I was, but I hastened my feet, throwing down my cloak and brandishing my saber out; while I objected to posing harm deliberately to any other Sith, this was a personal matter that required strict handling, where aggressive negotiations had to play it's part in it as well. My feet tread the ghost of their tracks as quick as my calves could manage the burns, my chest heaving as my frail body struggled up the steep narrow path, until finally, I had reached the entrance.

Hearing the voices echo, I had already predetermined that they were deep within; this was bad. If they found out about my holocron, things could go horribly wrong. It was never supposed to leave the locked chambers that I had left a while ago. In fact, for all intents and purposes, it was technically logged there, where the librarians would never open it incase it 'leaked' some more.

No. This could not happen. I would not allow it.

Raising the hilt, steadying my heart rate and breathing slowly, I threw my voice out at the intruders, knowing full well that my voice could be carried back and forth within less than a minute throughout the entire tunnel:

"Must I remind you 2 that while you may reside on Korriban, there is such a thing known to others as privacy, and private property?

You have 30 seconds to comply the following orders, including this particular set: Step out, sabers at your hands and heads down. Failure to do so, and you leave me no choice.

I trust, you are smart enough to understand these words."

 

[Asinine Soup]

A red-headed human joins the Togruta upon a facing slab of steel and stone, folding legs inward meditation style. All they would have time to do would be to prepare for the training session, however, for even within a cove soaked within the Dark Side, the echo of a booming voice could definitely be heard. The room's only visible light was between the two, and after hearing a threat of severe implications bounce from the cave walls into her ears, her eyes - seemingly amber within the light of the flickering flame in front of her - seem to twinkle anticipation.
"Well I certainly hope you don't blame me for this intrusion..." she murmurs, voice actually rather soft and diplomatic. "...but I certainly thought this area to be public, in such..." her voice trails off, the last bit of the stranger's voice booming, his demands very...plain-faced.

She pauses, tucking loose hair behind her ear, her mood soiled. She continues grinning as though she had no other choice but to cope. A hand rises to grip the hilt of the vibroblade sheathed securely upon her back, though she doesn't activate its rings quite yet. "What do you propose?" she would ask, the saber flourishing as she gently lays it horizontally upon her folded knees.
Although she smiled, the potential intensity of the situation seemed to be able to be read within her eyes - she smiles, and yet her eyes scream her anticipation. They were wide, as though she were somewhat surprised, but still cooling and calm in tandem. Difficult to explain an inexplicable girl.

Those whom knew her would know that she held vast knowledge on a vast number of subjects...and Togruta biology just so happened to be one of them.
He would know what she was prepared to do, hopefully, as she slides the plate holding the scone of flame - the only source of light illuminating the otherwise inexplicably dark cave - recognize the entendre - , darkened by phenomena only time itself could explain.

The flame flickers gently as though her will to reduce the flame to nothingness alone could set it out. Of course, she were using her little understanding of the Force to pan the flame, but hey. Lillieth was always a fan of melo

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Kilchii felt the figure approach long before he heard the obnoxious voice. Eyebrows furrowing and a deep frown causing harsh lines in his features. Predatory eyes snapped open and he gazed across the tunnel towards where the threats came from. His upper lip twitching a little in actual frustration. Could he not have ten seconds of peace to himself? Karking hell. The Togruta lifted a hand, smiling coldly with sharp teeth.

"A few points, before you continue with your threats. Firstly... This cave is not private property. There is no sign. No indication it is yours. And Lillieth here has been her several times. All of which you never objected too. Assuming it is yours. Second... You are weary from your journey here. I could hear your labored breathing on the way up. You are at a Physical disadvantage against two opponents. Third... You are proposing to enter a cave. Lit only by a single dim torch... Which could easily be snuffed out before you reached us. My memory on Human Biology is a little rusty... But correct me if Im wrong. Humans cannot see in low light conditions. While my eyesight is fine. And Finally... No matter how powerful in the force you may be... Stopping unseen attacks from two opponents in minimal lighting conditions would be... Taxing."

His grin grew even wider as he slowly stood on the pallet. Arms remaining loose and passive at his sides. He made no aggressive moves. "I have no desire to harm a fellow sith. We came here to meditate and train. We may leave peacefully, it makes no nevermind to me where I do my training. Truth be told, I despise having a ceiling above me. I would rather be in open air. Move from the way and we will leave you to your..." The Togruta smirked a little and made air quotes "Happy place." He lowered his hands once more and just left them there. Relaxed at his sides. "Or. You can continue to make play that you are one of the sith lords of old... See where that takes you. Whether or not we leave is entirely up to you."

 

[Tristar]

"What do you mean, there's no sign? Did you not see the...the....Oh."

My voice trailed off as my eyes finally began to pick up my surroundings, the slight displacement of rocks that weren't supposed to be, the elevation and angle of the cave entrance...the missing slab of limestone with the scorch marks that identified it as....

Oh dear.

I've made, a grave mistake. A very, very grave mistake. I'm at lost on what to do; should I continue to play it out, force them away from public property and hide my face that they never catch on to my ploy?.....It seems a bad decision, at any rate. Should I simply admit to my mistake? I lose nor gain nothing, yet my pride would be at stake....

Pride can go to hell.

I slipped the hilt back into my belt, my knees straightening where I had previously bent them as I slicked my hair back that my eyes could better perceive what was in front of me. There was no more light in the cave, it having being doused out by one of the...no-longer-intruders. Bloody hell, this mistake was a foolish one at that. I would need to be more vigilant, and observant. Slightly less assuming and no more jumping to conclusions.

A rare instance of panic, and see how much damage it has wrecked upon me. It is a lesson of humility, and I will not fail. Pride matters not for the betterment of the public. Or in this case, my reputation. Not that they appear to recognise me, but I digress. I split my mouth slightly that I could address them, standing with my hands at head level, fingers splayed open to show my lack of hostility as a look of shame crossed my face briefly before returning to its more natural cold look.

"Apologies. There appears to be....a misjudgement on my account; this is, for all intents and purposes a public property. I rescind my threat, and duly ask for understanding on your behalf, if not forgiveness on my account."

As the sun shone behind me into the cave, I could make out a partial distinction between the pair; one, appears to be either a Togruta or a Twi'lek and the other....either a human or a zeltron of female gender. The slim body and gait tells that easy enough. I wonder, what brought them here to meditate? There were much better and more private spots. Obviously if I mistook this to be my own spot then it wasn't as secret as she thought it to be.

Then again, this was public property. Makes no sense if it was hidden. Or for them to come here for privacy. Meditation? There was...if I recollect, an underground waterfall not too far from here that would serve much better for their purposes. If they had not found it yet, of course. But maybe....

"If you wish, there is a better spot for your meditation, if privacy is your main concern. I could lead you to it, if it makes a difference. I can guarantee its a more....solidated spot. People rarely venture far, sticking to safer places. I believe I know of it myself, although I am subject to human error, and could very well be wrong on this account as well."

 

[Asinine Soup]

Lillieth's silhouette was, indeed, a very feminine frame, though the darkness of the sharp vibroblade within her grasp would likely also be visible. She, although having not spoken to the stranger yet, had not expressed her emotions on the intrusion. She let her alien companion do the speaking - that was, until it seemed this Acolyte were apologizing?...Must have been in lieu of the fact that he didn't seem confident in facing two Sith with the advantages previously stated.
"We all make mistakes." the woman says mockingly, almost, though as she steps out of the cloak of darkness, the gentle smile upon her face might have signaled that she was being sincere. It was always hard to tell. Korriban's sunlight illuminates her frame, then, giving light to her full appearance: red hair, amber eyes slowly tinting back to a deep brown. It was no secret she used her aesthetic to her advantage. It was in her nature.

What was this wave and ripple within the Force?...It was the Force, right? Blinking and tilting her head, was this...stranger's reluctance she was feeling? Hesitancy? Was it confusion? It was...something. She was not yet in tune with her senses and grasp on the Force to fluently express what others were feeling, but she knew it was something. And that something was synonymous with progress. "I'd just be more careful, seeing as this is neither the place nor setting to make frequent mistakes, dear."

A soft laugh escapes her semi-pursed lips. It echoes along the entrance to the cove. She notably doesn't sheath her weapon, though the blade isn't activated yet, either. She was cautious, which meant she knew how things on this planet worked.
"Are you lost?" The only reason she asked was to satiate her curiosity.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

The Togruta continued to watch, judging the human's response by his vocal inflection. Well, he certainly sounded humble and contrite enough... But then again, anyone who was a half talented liar could fake those. No, the real proof was in the fact that he disarmed and revealed his hands. True, an experienced sith could do far more damage with just his hands and the force... But The gesture in light of all the facts seemed to indicate sincerity. Kilchii hopped down from the pallet he stood upon and folded his arms in front of his chest. Senses still questing in the dark to make sure nothing got the drop on him.

"Of course. I already said I have no desire to injure another sith. And your mistake is perfectly understandable. To err is Human."

The Togruta looked around then, sniffing the dank musty smell that the chamber provided. He got the distinct impression that horrible, unforgivable things had happened there... And while that would usually be a huge plus for him? Right at that moment he wasnt really into it.

"While I appreciate the offer... I think we might just take a walk. With tensions high as they are, nothing would be gained by meditation. Not in the dark. Lillieth. Lets head back towards the Academy and find a place to practice our bladework. Preferably under full sun."

 

[MozoWhittaker]

"Wh-... where did you... come from?"

The room was dark, poorly lit. In all their power, it seemed the Sith deemed not to spring for better lighting. Not as if that was a bad thing. A certain Sith Acolyte preferred the darkness, as it were. In the room, there were four or six young would-be Sith lying face down on the dusty stone of one of Korriban's many shadowy temples. Only one was even still breathing. In the middle of them was another acolyte, unharmed and in the middle of returning an interesting-looking Vibrosword to the scabbard on his back. He by no means looked as if he could single-handedly take on a group of acolytes, but he had remained a step ahead of all of them. Scattered around the room were the bodies of k'lor'slugs. Poisonous beasts that had been sicced on the acolytes while their unknown hunter remained in the shadows. From then, it was child's play, striking the weakened Acolytes from the shadows.

When the rapidly dying acolyte realized his question would not be answered, he changed tactics. "Why?" That caught his hunter's attention.

"I wanted to see if I could." "What? You attacked us... to see if you could?" A pair of white eyes hidden from behind a red band closed, a sigh escaping the Hunter's lips. "If you can't handle a couple k'lor'slugs and one fellow acolyte, can you really call yourself Sith?" He lowered into a crouch, looming just above the dying boy. "You have been here longer than me, been training longer than me. You and your group should have killed me. But you didn't. The Lord's are always saying the Sith don't need weaklings in our ranks. I got a chance to test my own skill and ingenuity and prune out said weaklings in the same instance. Two birds." He rose and began walking away, heading toward the entrance. "If you wish to prove your strength, survive and make it out of here. If you can't, well then, you've proven me right."

As he exited the cavernous temple, he wrapped a scarf around the lower half of his face and rose a hood, protecting his skin from the sand being thrown around by a desert wind and the hot sun bearing down upon Korriban.

 

[Tristar]

Lost? On Korriban? My home planet from birth, stained with my blood and you ask whether I was lost? Mistaken perhaps, but I would certainly not go as far as to be lost on a planet I bled and maimed for. I simply gave her a slow nod with a look that provided most of the answers to her questions. Or at the very least, the one that needed answering.

"Do you then mind that I trail along? Not wishing to intrude on any conversations at hand, but merely because the trek here to the Academy can be quite the bore. We can perhaps discuss matters, or if you wish, save words until the training grounds?

I could do with some practise myself."

It was true, I did not shy myself from physical training as often as most people have thought about me. True, yes, that my work little to no avenues to stress my weakened body, but that did not mean I would let it simply go off. At least once a day I would perform my calisthenics workout for at least an hour, if not more to maintain my body, with another hour devoted solely to blade work.

Clearly, there was much to improve on my personalised form, but after the incapacitation of Jedi Rane Vastra one could not deny it's effectiveness in real life combat, despised it's unorthodox philosophy contradicting much of the Sith method. A repertoire could very often expand under the direct influence of other's and I was not one to shy away an opportunity to showcase the unique style of a Bastard.

I gave a snicker unintentionally on the outside, laughing at my own thoughts; to them perhaps, I would look mad. First appearances always deceive, fellow acolytes. That's what gets people to come back after the first date, no? It makes you appear more interesting than you really were. And if you could continue to keep up the act, you could garner enough attention that anything you did was taken down as a holy scripture. Not that I wished to ascend into God-status, but the power was enticing.

But I have learned to not trust myself with that much power; I am still learning, and today would be a learning experience. From humility, to artistry on the combat grounds.

Flourishing my left prosthetic down to the cliff road, I opened my eyes and gave them a sincere smile (Not too broad on the cheeks, just a simple raise on the edges of my mouth upwards.) and urged them forward with a jerk from my head that sent my hair flying madly. One day I will find the incentive to cut you, one day.

"Mekn, Zeon, sekleti mes?"

 

[Asinine Soup]

A watchful eye piques this stranger's nature, a thin eyebrow rising as a grin slowly forms upon her face. Seemed their trail would be leading back to the marvelous Sith Academy. The vibroblade within her possession twirls about vertically; she was proficient within her stylizations, and - while she'd technically hadn't taken any lives - she realized that she held the capacity to draw blood fatally if the need arose.
What unsettled her, deep down, was that she enjoyed it. She even joked of her first victim's intestinal wound as 'monthly bleeding'. The smell of blood was liberating, and for her to begin having thoughts of testing her mettle against this random upstart where the Togruta was the only witness...

...it was more than just inviting. But she would stay her blade; she would yield until she knew why she wished for blood.

If they were to be off, Lillieth would step on forward, blinking callously up to Kilchii to observe his expression within his stride. She knew he felt her eyes on him, and she used that knowledge to entice further action - she smiles, then chuckles lowly, almost as if expressing "his mistake could've costed him his life, and he KNOWS that" without the use of words.
It was apparent upon her face, though she wouldn't expect an alien to be well-versed with expression-reading.

When this...other, non-introduced fellow began chuckling and rambling in a language she didn't understand, she could only laugh. She laughed a trio of scoffs and said nothing else otherwise. Maybe half-way to the Temple, if no one inquired anything of her, she would simply proclaimed:
"It truly is a lovely day today, isn't it?" She smiles. She hated Korriban. It was so dry and arid. It was the furthest thing from a lovely day.

 

[Sterling Malory Archer]

Well. Now that the crisis was over... Perhaps he would have an opportunity to finally relax and learn something. The Togruta began to stroll towards the exit with long, languid strides. He looked almost regal, his Montrals his crown, save the savage war paint like pigmentation of his skin. He folded sinewy arms in front of his chest and made his way past the two into open sun. A frown on his face. "Do as you wish. You are a free male, yes? Just do not expect small talk from me. Lillieth, however, Im sure would happily oblige."

He continued to walk then, making his way down to the sands and older pillars near the academy. Contrary to what Lillieth believed, the Togruta were naturals when it came to the fine points of expressions. Perhaps not human expressions... But his people relied on subtle movements and cues to depict things. Kilchii just plain didnt care enough to respond. He fully expected the other two to follow along at their own pace. No doubt talking about... Whatever it is humans talked about. Politics maybe? It mattered little to Kilchii. Once they stopped, on a little stone segment that no doubt used to be the floor of an older building, the Togruta glanced at the two of them. Hmm...

"You two should spar. I will wait and watch for now. Perhaps work on something less physical..."

 

[Tristar]

The walk down to the training grounds was- not lonely. But there could have been room for chatter and exchange of news; Lilieth, I believe she was called by the Togruta, was a sarcastic, mocking arrogant little shite who had had an overtly inflated view of herself ever since I admitted to my mistake. It showed in her facial expressions, the way she took lead on our hike back and of the tone of her voice.

My finger's twitch, and the sound of gurgling slowly strolled into my ears, sweet voices calling for mercy; I licked my lips and followed them along the route, silent and festering with dislike for the red haired woman; it was easy to get caught up in the swamp of pride and gloating pleasures-but she took it one step too far. She had not done anything worthy to mention, nothing to prove herself with. Only the arrogance of a history reserved for personal judgement. And the views of oneself to their own opinion is nothing but biased.

I held back from overtaking any of them, so that I could raise the edge of my mouth in a condescending sneer behind her back; it was hard not to, really. There she was, the air of a king who slain a gargantuan beast with stories to back it up; Stygr had much to say about the price of overconfidence.

I supposed, me berating her mentally about arrogance could be summed up in the phrase, 'So says the Raven to the Crow'; Admittedly my own pride and ego merged together to bring forth arrogance to suit Count Dooku, and I had little to no place to put her down in a spot reserved for people like us. I did not want to admit it.

I was being hypocritical, and my conscience knew about it. Very well that we had arrived at a suitable flat area with a floor no doubt man made, or Sith-made considering our location, with all intention on causing harm to each other, minor as it was. The sun was shining down on us, and I immediately wished I hadn't thrown my cloak away no my uphill rush to embarrassment; it made for a good shelter to beat of the blazing circle in the sky.

There was wind that blew transcending images into the sandy floor, casting a cool ambience around. There was no one else for the eyes to spot, no witnesses. What a place to be, where murder was by all technicality, allowed, provided nobody caught you in the act.

"You two should spar. I will wait and watch for now. Perhaps work on something less physical..."

I gave a small brief shrug and stepped onto the platform, cloakless but laden with mobility to spare; my clothing were lightweight, and the breeze flew past the folds easily, unresisting. Feeling a sense of nostalgia, I walked to the opposite end of the courtyard, pulling out 'Edge' from it's holster by my thigh, twirling it unnecessarily before activating it, the crimson saber pointed downwards as I turned around to face Lilieth.

Adrenaline coursing through my veins, and I was back on Utapau again, against Rane. The ghost of a smirk etched up onto my face as my hands slowly fell back to their opening stance of a Form unseen bar my previous victims...and they weren't here.

"For the sake of formality, no maiming and no grievous injuries. If you have any sabers, training function only. Spar or not, I have no intent of spilling blood today amongst the sands of history. Surely you understand."

I rolled my neck and fell back into the opening stance, feet wide apart and body angled so that my side would face my fellow duelist, saber covering the upper portion of my body, the illuminating blade humming gently as the cooling sensation of Kasha coursed through my skin all the way into my mind.

And all was- clear.

"I wonder; have you fought against anyone on duellist's terms before? No exceptions, with everything on the line?"