Ask Hoth Ice is for Death and Endings

[Malou D'Amaris]

Two years prior, she, Vahliri, and Sol had struggled through the icy storms to find and secure an old outpost in the Wampian mountains. It was hidden almost perfectly by the rocky structures surrounding it, keeping it safe from the raging blizzards and scanners in the atmosphere. Due to Hoth's extreme weather though, it had taken several months over the course of those two years to refurbish, rebuild, and reactivate the place, but now that things were finished, Malou could get to work.

The Miralukan had arrived two days ago to get a headstart on her research, and her efforts had proven fruitful. Through a mixture of sending out recon droids, running scans, and braving the blizzard herself, Malou had managed to pin down the location of an old maybe Sith temple quite a bit out. She wasn't yet sure if it was Sith, but she could feel the dark side's weight when she'd gotten nearby. Once they got there and made sure it was empty of any unwanted inhabitants, it could potentially serve as another stronghold for the Sith on Hoth. Or maybe she'd make it her home away from home. She quite liked the icy planet.

Thus, Malou had reached out to Vex to join her in the search. Though the woman loved her ancient tombs and creepy temples, she never planned to go on her own. With Veles still missing in action, the newly named Sith Master was the next name on her list. They'd never met, but if she was a Master, she was probably competent.

She would wait for Vex at the dock of the Sith outpost, dressed warmly in weather appropriate clothing.

tag: @Mockingjay

 

[Vex]

The Star Destroyer Purge speared out from the infinite blackness of space and dropped into orbit above Hoth. Vex had just returned from visiting her homeworld alongside the Empress when she had gotten the signal that there was a Sith on Hoth looking for an expert in tombs and temples. Apparently, she was now the 'tomb lady' as she had feared when last she saw Altair. And she quickly responded 'yes.'

The Sith needed new bases to operate in that quadrant of the Outer Rim. Vex personally found the ice planet interesting as a potential place to expand her prison facilities. But it was news of the temple that intrigued her most. Was it truly Sith? What secrets might it have held?

The newly-appointed Sith Master for the first time was not wearing her armor on such a mission. The new pendant she had received while practicing spellcraft with the Empress adorned her neck, allowing her to transfigure her face into that of a young woman with shoulder-length braids. Nothing even remotely resembling Nahri Nalju, her true mask.

The second her shuttle touched down at the Sith outpost on the surface, and she stepped out into its blistering winds for the first time, she relished the feeling of wind on her skin again. For so long, she had been Vex, a cold, faceless mask without feeling. Now, 'Vex' had a face. One she could not have been prouder of.

"Malou, I presume?" she said to the woman who was waiting on the landing pad for her. Her weather-appropriate gear was about as cumbersome as her armor, and yet she seemed to float down to the pad. She glanced around at the frozen wastes. "Charming place," she added. "What have we got?" @lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Vex may have been without a mask, but Malou's visage was covered up almost completely. Only her lips were visible, as the rest of her face was hidden under the blindfold she wore or the hood thrown up over her head to keep her from the cold. A small touch of pyrokinesis kept her skin warm - a trick she learned from her late master. Thus, it was difficult to tell where her gaze fell, but Vex would feel the presence of the Force in the air, almost focused on her. Malou saw no need to conceal it since they were both Sith practically in the middle of nowhere.

She nodded. "There's a temple several miles out into the Wampian mountains. It might not be Sith, but it's certainly dark." The Serennian gestured out to the endless mountains before them, then lowered her hand. "I've already taken the trek out there once, but Hoth is already dangerous as-is."

The last time she had delved into an ancient place, she'd been attacked by ancient mechanical spiders, and the whole place collapsed. As capable as she thought she was, she wasn't stupid.

"We can leave whenever you're ready."

tag: @Mockingjay

 

[Vex]

"Let's not waste any time," Vex said, stepping down fully onto the landing pad. "I'm eager to see what you've found."

They made the journey by speeder. The Wampian Mountains were a distance away from the outpost, and the ruins in question were at the bottom of a steep ravine carved into a thick layer of ice. When at last they stood outside, Vex stood alongside her speeder, eyes closed, probing the interior for the darkness Malou spoke of. "Why Hoth?" she asked after a moment had passed in silence. "Of all the places to establish a fortress for the Empire, why here?"

There was no wrong answer, Vex was simply curious. She had no feelings in particular for the cold. But it wasn't like the planet was rich in resources. At best, perhaps it could be used to train Acolytes in harsh conditions. Or as a staging ground for future Outer Rim exploits; but Vex was missing the bigger picture. And as the one spearheading this project, Malou was the best to shed light on the answers. While she waited for them, Vex took a step closer, sucked in a breath, and then called her magic into her hands.

"Vchil lasich ᠎tuti jin," she incanted.

The Shadow went out of her like an echolocating bat; but it struck nothing. She could feel the darkness from the place Malou had warned her about... but there were no protection wards cast around it for them to worry about. In fact, her spell had not revealed any Sith magic. That didn't necessarily mean the place wasn't built by Sith. But it did mean their job was infinitely easier. "It's safe to go inside," Vex said, nodding Malou towards the ruins. @lizziie

Coin: Tails, for if Vex's spell detected any protective wards around the ruin.