Torn Asunder, Galuch

[Butler]

With violently spreading waves, fallen decay and withered fungus fled through the vegetation from the engines' encroaching air of stabilization that settled the resting ship down into the risen earth; hiding amidst a small plateau of blue and green roots of rubber that curl fleshy orbs over curtain and conceal their nomadic home for temporary trespasses. Perhaps more was to be taken. Perhaps more was to be gained.

Yet even in the light of day, his eyes sunk, his head rested with his body laid. Salt water gathered, beading in their cratered ducts and sticking with sap. Tears of sin rolled in place of dreams. They mirrored his memories that would not leave him alone. What atrocities he had committed, willingly. All that he had witnessed back on a planet he had come to call home. Everything had twisted from happiness. And he was to blame. He was weak, ill trained, an unable to help. If only he could have saved him, as he had saved Lucifer from ignorance.

On his abdomen, consoling his hardship, were two hands woven together. Occasionally those fingers would drift, would wander. They would rise along the flesh that had been denied his mentor, youth in place of decay, where failure and emptiness resided. Unevenness and deformity was his desire now, a nightmarish dream that haunted his curiosity. Though he was conflicted, those fingers still wondered what it was like to be Gabriel's flesh; in absence. Fixated as he was, he still could not relinquish his perfection and beauty just yet.

But they had survived.

All of it, as he lay there forestalling the inevitable emergence from his bed, was what he had desired. A twist of fate had guided his mentor into his care. The worst had happened, and he was thankful for it. He had taken exactly what he had tried to escape all of his life, what he had vowed to rise above as a Jedi and protector of peace. He had fought back so hard against his destiny that he had found his answer deeply saturated in blood, such an easy and attainable answer by the gifting of the murdered; a girl smashed underneath a pillar as the crowning jewel of all those civilians in the streets. But now, as he lay here alone yet in company of others, he recognized something of even more importance; someone. Gabriel.

Getting up, Lucifer ached of a restless stillness. It was different. Normally his nightmares scared him, taunted him of an uncontrollable release. But now, memories hung over him inescapably and reality dared him to let go. He'd touched that darkness willingly, in the name of good; in the effort to reach and help Gabriel. And again he dared to console a little girl named Krynn. What was this feeling of connection, he wondered. Was this love?

Bearing back the whimper in his heart, with his white curly locks hung down over head, he knew he was expected out there. He knew they had landed and knew there was no waiting for him. Even in his state, his mentor demanded confidence and purpose. And he would, in his confliction, do all that he could to gift pride to this family; as they were by some cruel warp of will, that they all turned in towards each other. They needed each other now, Lucifer believed. It was known that each of them gave to the other, at least Lucifer reasoned it to be so; that he would give of himself fully and become worthy of Gabriel's praise, and for it he would earn his place as loved by the others.

The door slid open. He stepped out, wounded by his internal conflict. All he could do was suppress his worry for whom he thought of as 'father'. He clenched his fists, fear always giving great motivation to his life, and he searched for them. Today was a new day. It was his to seize. These were the days of discovering meaning for his life.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

One might have never seen the tiny disturbance that lingered beneath the out stretched bed within Krynn's room. She had grown accustom to sleeping on the floor so why should she find comfort in, well, comfort? Slowly the blankets stirred as a child's hand reaches out with wiggling fingers. Head slowly rising in turn to reveal herself as though grand velvet upon a stage had fallen. She whimpered slightly in her laziness before realizing the engines were set to idle. A new world was within her discovery....

Quickly she cast away her "nest" lifting herself to feet giving flight to the door. Its metallic surface sliding to one side at her command.

Running outside the room with echoed pitter-pats of naked feet. Krynn searched for a view port to gaze into the unknown....

What wonder befell her eyes as the sight was breathed in standing upon her toes within the glassy portal. A Planted covered in color as though the Divine spilt paint a many upon this landscape. Large fungal structures with domes trapped within green webbing while the air seemed filled with tiny specs of colors adding a glitter to the scene. Krynn was in awe as breath seized. Smile stretching across her face. Her voice was soft with wonder barley dancing upon the air with lightened steps,

"What magic is this?"

 

[Butler]

Lucifer's head turned towards the pitter patter, instantly recognizing its size and weight; not to mention her unique mix of hot and cold that he felt every time he saw her through Force-washed eyes. With naught but a simple, thin, white T-shirt and light gray slacks on, Lucifer quickly tip-toed towards the corner bend to earn a glance of the girl responsible for instantly raising his spirits from doubt and dismay. Just the thought of this little girl seemed to brighten everything around him. Why, he did not yet know.

There she was, on her toes, looking out through the view-port. The side of his lips curled as he couldn't resist the smile. Nearly leaning with arms folding, his eyes shifted before a sinister scheme spawned within his devious mind; and he smiled wider before concealing his emotions entirely.

"Whoa! What was that?" Straight faced, he ran up beside Krynn to the adjacent viewport that she would have to struggle to be tall enough to see.

"Wow! That's just... What? What is...?" He pointed against the window and covered up the viewport so that she could not see, while acting as though he saw something that no one could resist wanting to see. But he would not let her see, playing at ignorance as if overrun with awe which turned her from his awareness.

"Oh, geez, I can't not believe..! Wait! Whoa!" He toyed, all the while hoping that he sold this specific nothingness for her sake alone. Her reaction would be the greatest payoff.

Unbeknownst even to himself, in this state of freedom and fun he had shut down his mind and shut off to those who could read it. These emotions he was enjoying, this behavior that he was allowing himself to entertain, they were inadvertently nurturing his abilities. Who knew that this was what he was lacking all along...

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

The view port was a portrait to another world waiting to be explored. Color called to her senses washing sweet emotions of wonder through her mind. Never before had a world sculpted only of nature been seen before. So much entranced was the child that Lucifer easily startled her upon speaking. Moving slightly to one side placing white spheres upon his form almost leaping from her skin. Puzzlement forcing a chill over her head with tiny tingles...

"Whoa! What was that?"

Krynn's eyes darted to the view port then to Lucifer. Feet planting themselves down as hands cupped themselves before her chest. That same uncertainty veiling her entity. Taking a step back to give room to the man as he neared.

"Wow! That's just... What? What is...?"

Had she missed something? He seemed so sure something lingered just outside the ship dripping with grandeur. A finger address what Krynn could not see racing to close the gap between them with widened eyes. Her tiny hand grasping at his slacks rising to her bare toes. Nothing jumped at her however......Still she persisted to witness what was just beyond her. Hopping up and down in her failure. "Wha- What is it? What is it?"

Eyes peering up to him with a slight heaviness to their sadness. Unable to gaze upon what Lucifer could clearly see......"I don't-"

Again she rose to her toes keeping her left hand connected to him while the other hovered stationary in front of her. Movement in the wilds capturing attention. Was this what he saw? The disturbance vanished as soon as it appeared. Disappointment flooding over her.

"Oh, geez, I can't not believe..! Wait! Whoa!"

"What was it?" She asked softly. "What did you see? Tell me please?"

Her Diamond eyes moved like waves within her skull. Looking up to Lucifer pleading to the man as though he were a sibling holding a toy just out of reach. Though she did not know he teased him she obviously felt the same connection as before. Where she might have fled to his sudden appearance. Krynn still yet lingered held fast by a shaky trust never touched by another before now. Hands gripped at his arm firmly hoping to finally gain what was lost at the moment. A small peace of mind to his disturbance.....

 

[Butler]

He'd hooked her, just as he'd hoped. And it filled him with a warm joy that fed him beyond belief, unlike anything he'd ever known. But it echoed with a familiarity, not unlike when he was with the Jedi. But he cared not what it seemed like, only what it felt like. And he was invigorated with fun, oozing out of his pores; palpable. Yet what he felt was her hand still upon him, his arm.

Lucifer suddenly flipped around and firmly planted his back to the viewport, hiding its falsified imaginings. Eyes wide, they darted down to her as his mouth hung stupefied.

"It's..." he started with a funny quiver of the lip, "it's..."

He could not hold back the infectious smile beginning to spread over his whitened teeth, and his head began to shake with a strain incapable of bottling up his laughter soon to burst.

"It's your facehahahaha!" he burst out into laughter, which he almost immediately regretted, and peeled down off of the window. Unable to even finish the joke he had planned, Lucifer could not help but mess with her.

And he touched her softly on the shoulder in passing.

Then he turned around behind her and stood up straight to face her back, resting his hands upon his hips. Whatever reaction she had, Lucifer was still there to take it. It's what he wanted to be, it seemed. For her, he'd take her suffering and let it hit against his shell. It as by no means a strong shell. In fact it was probably one of the weakest shells out there. But it was her shell, to hit and let be by her side for as long as she wished it.

Then the central computer pod in this main lounge hummed to life, glowing blue with a message. It was two words; Etheraph Root. It was from Gabriel.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Lucifer steps back quickly with such lightning in his retreat. An electric current forcing his back to the wall which in turn eliminated Krynn's grasp upon his arm. Her eyes warped with confusion looking his body over in debate. To what gave him this stir? The orbs that lingered down on her form made her slightly uncomfortable while his body shook slightly highlighting the lips that betrayed him so.....

"it's..." he seemed to cough. "it's..."

Krynn's puzzlement went full circle. This feeling was all too familiar. Many a-times she was the end of a joke, a tease, even "a good laugh." Higher stationed boys with education preying on the slave girl. The memories of Ryloth washed over her like a storm of sorrow waken with surfs of guilt. Lucifer could not know why....or perhaps he could? The bond was coming increasingly strong. When he was happy the emotion enveloped her like warming rays to a sun. Likewise if down he was a bitter coldness she been accustom too for years within the past. In turn this increased her powers that lay dormant. Dreams of places far away she never knew. Robed Knights fighting one another with sabers of light. Nightmares most times but then sweet dreams of serenity on occasion. They all came to her at random causing fear of what she may glimpse next....

Her hands reeled close to her chest as that tiny chin bent down in subjugation. Waves echoing through her cold whitened eyes.

"It's your facehahahaha!"

Wincing at his outburst laying sight on the ground to her toes she allowed the moment to pass. His touch only moving her head to the point of contact slightly. Teeth cradling her lip as she held strong. Not at all wishing to become the weak girl she was before Gabriel's intervention. Body standing Idle while Lucifer positioned himself behind her waiting for something. Krynn was not a child like most females. Perhaps he waited for a slap or another form of retaliation. Girls on Ryloth often flew scenes of drama upon boys before in such ways. Not Krynn though. The feelings she had for Lucifer, or were developing, felt corruptible in that regard. None the less it wasn't her fashion.

Too cold and empty was she inside.....

Slowly she turned to him at last while time seemed to slow around them. Trembling eyes, damning away her flood waters, giving elevating rise to his own. Glistening spectral of white light emanating from her diminished soul reaching out to him in kind. So painfully gentle was her movements and breath. Pressing chin to chest once more before speaking. Krynn didn't want too look upon him right now for this only felt wrong to scold a "brother."

Voice trembling on the artificial wind. Swaying a ghostly dance as though there but not completely....

"That was mean Lucifer....."

An alert captured them both emanating from the console. Though Lucifer seemed to know what meaning it held Krynn could only guess what the scribble upon the monitor had relayed.

 

[Butler]

Lucifer nearly swallowed his puckered lips inside as his heart sank from her unique reaction. He had seen into her, but he hadn't yet become used to her. She was him, they were the same, but different. She was a girl, and as such had gone through a more difficult patch than he in some ways. While he was forced to be who he was only by himself, dealt a terminal card of illness that brewed a fear he could only run from, she was subjugated by men and tortured and forced to do their bidding. The both of them had done things, experienced and seen things, that no child should have to.

Lucifer looked back at the console, then back to Krynn. It could wait, he thought.

"Hey," he said softly to her, apologetically, kneeling down but not forcing himself any closer. He hadn't earned that yet.

"Can you do me a favor? I want to teach you something." He didn't try to get her to look at him. He just wanted her to know him, to know that he was never going to be one of those people from her past, no matter what things might seem.

"Something only you can do." He paused, hoping she'd turn around to see what he wanted to teach her. He couldn't claim to be the nicest person, nor the most giving; which was why he hadn't yet thought to actually just apologize.

If she looked at him, he'd smile slightly. He'd form his left thumb and index like a little pincer, stretching from his elbow resting upon his knee.

"Put your fingers like this," he softly advised as he looked down to his own fingers and back to her. He was searching for her forgiveness through this little dialogue. If she mimicked him, and gave him a chance, then he knew he had an in. He'd have a chance at earning that place in her heart where trust and understanding resided. She had to have a flicker of it left somewhere deep inside. He hoped.

"Now put it, put it here," he turned his fingers in on himself.

"I mean, on me," he swiveled his fingers out to hers and then back to his own left shoulder.

He'd guide her, not touching her, as best he could physically gesture and gently motion for her to understand that he wanted her to pinch him; until she did. That's right. Just a simple pinch. That was all he wanted from her. Something no other person had done to him.

"Any time I'm mean," he started, "Any time you want," he added, "that you think I deserve it, I want you to do that to me."

"No repercussions. I am under your command. I am at your mercy."

Lucifer overturned his palms and bowed his head, still upon his knees. A bit of dramatics weaved in from his playful mood, but genuine all the same. He wanted her to correct him, every time he did something that she deemed worthy of stopping. He had given her power over him; given, something free and not needing of domination nor subjugation. In other words, she need not take it; as some might preach to her is the only way of life. Lucifer didn't know everything. He claimed he did, that he'd just not awakened his mind to what he already knows. But in his confusion, in his awakening, he knew that there were many things out there that resided somewhere in the nebulous of truth. And that was that not everything could be taken and not everything could be given.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Alerts rang through the corridors of the metallic ship as if a plague upon the ears. The blue message brightened the computer console and surly Lucifer would respond though he wouldn't. Not with Krynn it seemed. The universe slowed beckoning with it unbridled attention. The hair upon her head stood at painful attention. Warm rain sprinkling across her skin like revitalizing acid cooling as it dried. Lucifer could be felt some how. In her cupped whisper he was wounded in some manner and Krynn felt it. Pale clouds dampening a spirit was he who knelt behind her now. "Hey,"

Krynn listened unwavered by the softness in his tone....

"Can you do me a favor? I want to teach you something."

The tiny child twirled with unintentional grace continuing her gaze to the floor. Body facing his own while the chin pressed her chest in retreat. "Something only you can do."

Eyes drifting skyward caught off guard. The being she related to a demi-god was paying the little one offerings? A smile stretched faintly through his lips flickering trust to endure. "Put your fingers like this." Focus came to his finger then to her own in mirrored image. Shakily raising them. "Now put it, put it here,"

Her fingers came to herself to which he softly corrected immediately, "I mean, on me,"

Krynn's mouth laxed allowing air flow freely as she followed his guiding movements. using her thumb and pointer finger in cohesion to pinscor his shoulder with its soft gesture. Finally it dawned on her as motions layed blueprints to the foundations of a puny assault upon flesh. Her eyes widened then quickly retreated from his body to her own while starring at him in misunderstanding. "Any time I'm mean, Any time you want, that you think I deserve it, I want you to do that to me. No repercussions. I am under your command. I am at your mercy."

The hand that touched Lucifer before so gently rose to Krynn's inspecting gaze. Funny, for it was already seeded in mind how she recalled other girls retaliate in such forms to the cruelty of boys. Slaps, punches, and words. It was not Krynn's way but yet here he offered it still. Perhaps a pinch was enough to strengthen the bond between them. To force understanding when events such as this arise again. Only to him though...This man who cared....

A mischievous smile perked itself into view eying Lucifer in turn. Quick in her movements, like arching lightning, Krynn pinched Lucifer on the shoulder again. Though this time with increased force. Delight in this "newly found power" brightened her where darkened corners lingered before. Standing tall, as if over him as he knelt, Krynn beamed at Lucifer with an intense smile. Now words could be spoke nor needed disturbance. All was said with actions. Neither was it he needed to announce his apology. It was received well enough now then relayed through passionate words or lies dazzled with poetry. To this understanding she gave a agreeing nod. A pact forged in silence.

Again the monitor called to them diverting the girls attention too it with her eyes. Capturing a portrait of question within her face....

 

[Butler]

"Ouch," he giggled with some surprise.

Right then, with her apparent enthusiasm, he knew he had gifted Krynn with something special; even if it was something common. It was not common to him, and it now meant something to them both. Such a gifting was never intended for anyone, nor understood for what it was; until now. He couldn't help himself. He couldn't help but to try his hardest, to care, with this girl he hardly knew; yet knew more about then any other, really knew. And as he grinned happily, rubbing his inflicted wound by white-haired midget, he looked only into her eyes; those lambent lustrous moons, and nothing else. It was this part of him that he wished her to see, that he showed her now so willingly.

He did want to pinch her back, out of fun retaliation, but he did promise her no repercussions. So much for that. This was her gift, and hers alone. He could not, he would not do anything about it. And he liked it that way.

But the monitor called again, angrily. It was but the messenger, yet its tone somehow transferred Gabriel's bottled yet spear-headed intent.

"I guess we'd better check it out," he said with a tilt of the head, features still expressing warmth in this tender exchange.

He stood and turned away.

But as he started to twist around to go see what the message was on about, he hesitated, and with one look back over his shoulder asked Krynn if she'd come with; his left arm dangling at his side all alone. He waited for her, if she liked. She was his equal. At least he thought so.

And whether she took his invitation or not, Lucifer would let her be who she was and finally go on to see the message. Of course even its font was slanted and harsh, Lucifer internally judged with a hidden smirk at Gabriel's expense. It was him, unmistakable. Especially with the added "now" newly tacked onto the end of the message. Gabriel was still bedridden and probably felt claustrophobic within his own self, trapped inside a smothering pillow of his own power; his body unable to swim freely. But what was this Etheraph root?

Lucifer looked to Krynn. At first he thought to wonder that she might know what it was. But then he remembered who he was standing with. And further still he wondered if she could even read. His eyebrows pursed with gentle sympathy, thinly buttered with pity, as he endured gratitude for having her with him now - that nothing else bad might happen to her. That life was now pushed away by his one hand, whilst his other tried to reach her more and more. No easy task.

Returning to the console, he searched the area for a keypad. Discovering what he was not completely familiar with, he lifted one had, or both if unencumbered, and brought up a free window for a search program. He typed in the words "Etheraph root".

The system began collecting its own records, using its last upload of information to reference rather than connecting to a traceable network. Lucifer had earlier made sure to keep them under the radar when fleeing with these whom he cared about most.

Up came a list of references. He opened one caption, finding a brief detail. It expanded with vague suggestion, unclear as to its full effects; though suggesting unconfirmed results of healing and pain numbing via poultice. Though he was a new child of the Jedi once, he by no means considered himself the healer. So this was rather unusual information for him to take in. The picture helped...

Apparently Felucia was one of its natural habitats, likely why Gabriel brought it up in the first place.

"Looks like we're going hunting."

Lucifer leaned onto the console with a popped knee and conversely popped hip, as his chin once again swiveled to the little gnome.

"Or ...gardening," he corrected himself sarcastically. "You comin?"

If she agreed, then he'd happily take her out on an exploration.

"Go get ready," he'd shoo her on her way if so inclined. And likewise, he'd have to go get ready himself. And if she had gone to gather herself for the hike, then he too would return to his room and change for the day ahead.

This'll be fun, he thought to himself innocently.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Attention was brought fully to bare upon the electronic whine that howled through out the ship. The drums in Krynn's tiny pale ears winced in turmoil to it's cries as though in pain. Though she ignored their warning only to trail the pale skinned man that sought her trust. To which she, in turn, awarded piece by fragile piece with the passing days. This thoughtful intent signaled through bodily motion the child cradled his left hand. Departed now of the darkness that weighed her emotions before.

"I guess we'd better check it out," Lucifer announced....

With the subtle nod from Krynn they both gently made speed to the terminal. Coming close Krynn released The hand that guided her to this position of intrigue. Clasping tiny fingers upon the cold metallic surface that was the monitor. Eyes fixed on the colored message. Words seemed as though a curious wonder. A dialect out of reach. Scanning Lucifers attention she was left with the curious thought as to its meaning.

"Looks like we're going hunting."

Krynn wrinkled her nose in response. It was this word that caught her off guard, "Hunting." Many ties she heard this from friends of her former master. A code undoubtedly as they proceeded to vacate the Mansion only to return with a woman in tow. Surly they were not here to procure the same prize. "Or ...gardening," This was a word that held understanding. However how were the paired terms related? only one way to know this for certain....

"You comin?"

Krynn nodded with a half peeked smile. Though this topic was drenched in misunderstanding it was a method to explore the world of color outside, none the less. "Go get ready," A bit taken aside she then looked to her toes wiggling them in place. The garments inside her room were acquired specifically for her. Clothes and high brimmed boots that, until now, Krynn avoided in use. It felt wrong to accept them as the feeling was marred in unknown guilt. Now it seemed the feeling was overwhelmed with the promise of adventure. A large smile began as the tiny head upon her shoulders shot skyward to meet Lucifer's gaze. Another nod later and she was quickly on her way. A skip in the pitter-pattering claps of feet upon the floor strengthened by haste.

Krynn's head bobbed up and down slightly as she ran to her room. The sliding metal door clearly define as she entered the quarters throwing off her large shirt before taking the finer clothes in hand. They seemed almost like robes however snug. With diligent fingers and quickened motion. Her horizons would be broadened with exploration within the hour.....

 

[Butler]

Lucifer's pale lips were all aglow with joy in the face of Krynn's excitement, watching her scurry off to her room with folding arms and a cocked gaze. Swiveling his watch back to the display screen and back again to Krynn, Lucifer sighed with deep content. Not only was he started to feel his own excitement for their exploration, but also he was beginning to really cherish this time with the girl.

Almost hearing Gabriel's displeasure of their lackadaisical approach through the screen at his side, Lucifer opted to get going.

So he turned around and made way back to his room, through the opening and closing door, and towards his closet. He pretty much just had his Jedi attire, to which he figured was suitable for such an excursion into the jungle. So he slipped off the white shirt and stepped out of the pants to fit into the form fitting class that was his usual white, or nearly so, garb. His boots and collared shirt, however, were black. His pants, tucked into the boots, were near white. His chest nearly bare, fit into the strap of the white right arm pauldron sleeve which off-set the black right sleeve; also lining an illusion of a second collar fitting around the black collar behind his neck.

Lucifer shirked his shoulders with a pleased and confident huff of breath at the sight of his self in the mirror, then stepped into the refresher and splashing some water onto his face and into his hair. Wetting the nearly white locks made them seem of thick silk.

He finished up with himself and moved along the bed, bending down and finding the lightsaber hilt still attached to his white belt nearly underneath the bed; rose up and fitted it around his waist. He slipped his pistol into his right thigh holster, and that was it.

Lastly he filed past the dresser, to which he slid his hand across its surface and snatched up the little datapad as he returned through the opening and closing door and made towards the central console. Injecting the device into the console, Lucifer arranged for the vague bio and image to be transferred to the datapad and then retrieved it.

"Hey Krynn, are you ready?" he shouted blindly over his shoulder with eyes still fixed upon the screen before him.

Next would tell of her ability and extent to take care of herself, in a way. If she had dressed herself and prepared fully, then they would depart. But if she had had some trouble, well, Lucifer would begin to understand what it was to care for someone younger than himself.

Either way, with assistance for little Krynn or not, they would next be off. He'd lead her towards the ramp, lower it, exit, and close it behind them. Looking around, they were extremely well hidden in the fungus growths, tall trees, and elevation. Though they couldn't see too much from this side of the ship. That is, until they stepped through the first layer of thick rubbery stems and puffy slime growths to a reveal of epic proportions. Spanning seemingly on forever, the wild jungles of Felucia dove into an unimaginably complex dream world of blues and purples held up by varying greens which blended into murky browns and grays in certain wetter parts. Within view there was seemingly every color out there and so much unseen beneath the tops of shelter. Yet beyond, the landscape rose up even higher than they were with an uneven and untamed foreign nature.

"Whoa," he'd let whisper at the sight, more towards the point of difficulty he'd face in finding this root.

"Motivation melts at my feet..." he'd mutter unto himself once more.

But then he'd look down and see the damp soil that squished beneath his boots, and shift just enough weight onto those toes to force the saturated mushing sound to in fact agree with that statement.

"Oh," he'd blatantly assess, realizing the irony he stood upon.

Then he'd check a glance towards the girl at his side with a smile, and off they'd go on their adventure.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Snaking like a trapped midget within a web. The child's tiny head sprung through the opening designed for that select body part. Allowing a sigh to escape her now having been smothered by the fabric for what seemed like hours. Gasping inward a fresh breath of air to replenish what was lost. Many times before she was punished when dressing herself. The Master's rule was for an object such as Krynn to appear perfect in the eyes of those that took to visit her Masters home. To that point it became instinct to make the bed perfectly then tend to her attire in a similar fashion. Parting the unsightly wrinkles while balancing on the highest point of her toes. Folding the beds blankets to appear fresh and pristine. Her appearance was easily repaired with what seemed a comb. Then shaken and tucked to frame her child like figure.

A scowl hung upon her face in gloom. Reminders of the harshness held on her while tending to these tasks now. It couldn't be helped though Krynn held the power to stave them off. Suffering plagued her mind easily. A growing task to remember where she was now. Away from it all....

"Hey Krynn, are you ready?"

Lucifer's voice dragged her from darkened thoughts. Shaking her head lightly with closed eyes feeling her hair tickle her nose with each passing brush. When they opened once more her little hands pulled the fingerless gloves over her scarred hands then tugged her boots into place. Running out into the hall where she then procured a flask of water which was then connected to her belt.

Waiting for Lucifer beside the ramp way with delight. Not knowing what was just beyond her now....

Soon enough he came to open the portal into a dream. Castles of color towered over them all with lavishing vines draping like curtains. Floating fungal glitter dancing through the air forcing a sneeze or two from her tingling nose. The smell was all that gave hint to how violent this planet was. Wrought death and decay. However what child could understand this? Certainly not one born to a city. Certainly not a slave never knowing travel. Instead of heeding the call, her eyes waved in awe to the scene. Cherishing every foot step with wonder and delight. Listening to the wilds call. Trailing behind her protector of sorts. Head swiveling like a loose top ready to fall from its root.

So engulfed in this world was she that Lucifer's voice trailed away in endless echoes. Krynn floated on fantasy.

...and when it came to the deadly Planet of Felucia....Color was not a dream meant to adore children.....It was a warning...

 

[Butler]

His eyes flicked across the landscape, deciding where to make their heading based on the wealth of vegetation before them. He assumed that to find a root of healing that he'd have to look within "healthy" pastures. So he picked out the most colorful and vibrant area ahead for their journey. It occurred to him that such serene areas were likely to be inhabited by herbivores and other fascinating sights which he could control, giving this little one a day like she'd never had before. That was his perspective now, seeing through her eyes. Though he'd never been to Felucia before either, he felt enjoyment bubbling merely on her behalf. But they had to get down there somehow, he thought as his eyes trailed a path from beyond up the thick vines and growths up towards their feet. And that's when the idea struck him.

A sinister smirk bent across his face before he smothered it down, suddenly pretending this to be a most serious moment.

"Krynn," he softly planted the seeds of importance in his stalling tone, as he twisted down in front of her and onto one knee.

"Before we begin on this perilous journey, I must ask that you tend to my trepidations," he pouted with arms opened to her for a hug.

A twinkle in his eye was that glimmer of excitement for what he was about to do, picturing it already. But he was a superb adept at emotions, simultaneously his strength and weakness, his least in control and most in control. Playing it up, his eyes even almost started to water in seeming sadness. He just had to get her to hang on, without letting on to the surprise. Yet even as he knew her distaste for touch and certain surprises, he couldn't help but try in his own way to truly brighten up this first moment to remember the day by.

"I just don't want to lose you," he whimpered with eyes faltering down to the ground of patterned puddles so small they were beneath notice.

If he hadn't succeeded at gaining a good hold of the little rabbit just yet, at which time he'd spin around and cradle her in order to see forward, then he'd try something else.

"Here, come on. Hop on," he'd invite her to his back after swiveling around with hands reaching back to steady her tight once she was upon him. Then he was surely going to have her where he wanted her.

Then he'd breath in a deep breath, comfort warming her body through his before, suddenly, he was off!

"HOUUUUU!!!"

Lucifer leapt out with the Force, Krynn held tight, nearly flying over the gap in spanning distance as they soared over a tremendous drop. And Lucifer howled out with excitement and adrenaline-fueled fun as their skyward arc began their descent. He looked down now, ready for the real fun; that which only a Force adept could truly enjoy. He stretched out his boot's toes below him as they fell passed some strange colored little bird on the distant right, and straight for a sloping web of massive plant orbs and their vine trunks below. They dove straight through the unseen gap as his eyes widened and stomach rushed, temples warming with the sensation of the Force, until he saw what he already felt. He landed onto a slick sloping vine-top-leaf that bent and let them slide onto the corresponding vine, beginning their ride down.

"WOOHOOHOOHOO!"

He screamed with excitement as he balanced the slide of their smooth and speedy venture, flying so fast through weaving and winding turns with sudden drops and dead-ends; to which he let them drop and found their next track with the plop of his coordinated feet. Veering to the left, the vine took them into a spiraling corkscrew before launching them off into another free fall - as they felt a weightlessness through a humid patch with miniscule water droplets that floated through the air, tapping across their cheeks. Then they'd land into their final slide, Lucifer losing his footing slick out from under him as he dropped onto his seat still holding Krynn safely (questionable) and grinned widely with the moist air catching into the sides of his cheeks. They slid down, branches swinging viciously overhead as their environment became thicker as he sustained some scratches underneath his legs, until the floor could be seen up ahead.

"Ready?"

He prepared his flexing feet up before him, and they were launched off into the perfect landing; well close enough. They sailed over and onto his feet as he stumbled forward trying to run the forward momentum off gradually until he safely fell forward onto one hand and knee, and finally down to his side; still holding onto Krynn as if he'd never let go, as if he'd never let harm come to her no matter what odds they faced. And he finally broke out into hysterically heaving laughter.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!"

"...Ho. Whew!" he happily composed himself with a trail of laughter still clinging to his sides.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Felucia....A world gifted with allure to either side of the force. Sensitives from across the heavens venture to this world in search of what may lie beneath their own flesh. Deeper then the soul and stranger even then Love's embrace. Artist's of all the like behold wonder to the Galaxy with portraits gleaming in raw color. The light seemingly calls outward with this Plane of existence. Only this world is marred in a terrible curse. Wrought and decay creep beneath the under darkened vegetation. Shadowing Felucia's true self. A World birthed with two polar sides of a single coin. Where one may find beauty, herbal marvels in medicine, or the survivors call to a challenge. Another may find the true meaning in the term, feral.

For Felucia..... is a world born only to those few that idle upon the brink.....

Stand in the wake of isolation....

and ultimately......thrive

Krynn's eyes moved like flood lights within the dark of night. Straining to take in the darkness entire. For this was what it could only be defined as such. The colors blended in a way that seemed of one mind. A hive mind sealed in chaos. Suddenly this place was not so beautiful. For as the pair remained in awe. Krynn began to change. Knees locking within place causing shallow breath. Eyes glazing over with a familiar discomforting appeal.

Since she had traveled with Lucifer and her New Master, Gabriel. The visions that revealed truth within the unseen increased activity.

The tiny white covered head begun to shake side to side in attempt to overturn the body for its own once again. Krynn felt cold, lost in her desperation. Gripped only in failure....

A wave of white covered over where the color had collaborated before. Taking shapes of men in glistening armor. Mechanical fiends charging them all in violent intent. Heartless and void in emotion. Oddly matching their humanoid foes. Fire consumed them all within the undergrowth.

A battle....?

It all unveiled itself before her beckoning horror forth. To Krynn's dismay, a warrior in white fell before her in a glow of red fire etching in black. His face now open to view upon injury. IN this moment fear clung to Krynn. Were it machine or flesh, they were all the same. One face.....

The whit child's body shook with wild turbulence. For upon the last of her sight was a blackened cloak enveloping it all. Eyes of yellow glaring into her being. A timeless evil smiling at what a single voice called.....potential. In Krynn's youth she became Frozen. Insides crying out, "Save me now!" As reality returned to her with Lucifer's face starring back upon her own.

"Before we begin on this perilous journey, I must ask that you tend to my trepidations,"

His voice like a burst of light capturing trust. Calming the surf climbing her inner flood gates. "I just don't want to lose you,"

Calm though confused.....His meaning lost in translation....."Lucifer....Bu-..I'm not going anywh-..."

The boy spun quickly almost sending her to fright, "Here, come on. Hop on,"

Hands brought to her collected self in inner confliction. Should she or not? Of course he brought her this far without harm coming to pass. Such reflection brought her forward. Tiny fingers clutching his shoulders as a seat was taking within his arms. Lucifer's plea was accepted. Now she only waited in anticipation to his hidden desire. His breath deepens....... then releases.....

The force on her body was not as she expected. Which might have added to her sudden fear of heights. With the ground below shrinking in size. Her small hands came forth around his neck in reaction. Gripped tightly, not wishing to fall from him now as they ascended. Her voice peeked in a scream never shouted before now. "Ahhhh!"

Eyes widened as if betrayed by Lucifer. In her mind was only the wish to harm him in the only way he showed her how. Though now might have not been the time with him guiding their direction. Instead Krynn only screamed further in defiance.....

Lucifer enjoyed his antics. Shouting in pleasure. Even in the face of extermination as what was thought to be the ground came terrifyingly close. A mesh of green blurred upon impact. Her mind rationalized it was a leaf as they descended further upon its bending neck. Further down they flew. He laughing in his moment as she protested in kind. Sliding with increased speed to the bottom. Dew splashing her face lightly. Lucifer's voice called to her with questioned preparation. "Ready?"

Squinting to focus on the end of their "joy" ride. Krynn's eyes grew double in size. Shrieking loudly in final attempt at retaliation. For how could a child be ready in this predicament? Clueless to what should take place in her fear. Pressing high pitched screams to new heights as they neared the bottom. "Noooooooahhhhh!"

Eyes pursed shut, slamming an echo within her body. Krynn refused to see the end this way. Only the end never came....So soft was the landing she idled for a few moments as Lucifer came to one knee. Awakened only by his uncontrolled laughter. Eyes easing open realizing the unbelievable. Her body scrambled to break free from his grasp. Taking a few steps away so he could not commit that act again without her permission. Lungs ready to burst with escaping air. Trailing inward again with violence like refugees rushing desperately to a sought sanctum. The girl only starred at him with a face blank in expression. Eyes darting to the sky, the ground, then the laughing boy once more. Placing the pieces of the puzzle together. This white man had this power? More importantly they said she did too.....

To rationalize this was a task and more. The youth was in confliction and on her guard. Though it began to soften. For if she held this power within. Somewhere deep...then she was free from harm. Lucifer offered education in this fact.

Eyes lingered upon his own longer now. This time with a smile stretching across her face ever increasing in size. Teeth brought to bare as ripe giggles escaped her now. Heavens call in the form of a child's happiness. Though truth be told she still held a wish to pinch him for this lesson.....

"Again!" Krynn begged aloud with gifted excitement.

A thundering screech trailed over them both following Krynn's outburst. The undergrowth teeming with stirred like. Tiny creatures taking to the scy in a panic as what sounded like sharpened blades stabbed the ground. Drawing closer to the pair from the distance. The tiny body belonging to Krynn reeled around in renewed fear. Only one question plaguing her mind now, "What was that?"

 

[Butler]

He twisted over onto the opposite knee and hand, his realization rising to her dismay. Arms bending in to rest upon his knees, Lucifer watched with escaping breath as he hoped he hadn't lost her to his antics. Inside, he kicked himself. Inside, he wished he wasn't so impulsive or off away where mostly misunderstood. He knew that he was always elsewhere and beyond, that most didn't understand him or why his mental capacity was so chaotic and on fire. But just this once he saw the gap as this dead weight, trapped between them where he would not dare near. He just waited, at a loss, in purgatory.

But then, then she started to smile, and he felt the shift overturn inside of her as she made some kind of connected thought, realizing a revelation within the caged child. And those giggles, they brought his cheeks up tight and bent a teethed overbite up around a contagiously caught cackle in response.

"Yeah," he cheered in agreement for more.

...

Everything stopped, ostentatious electrically charged air dropped cold; stale and dreadful. He hear it too. That did not sound good.

He noticed the indigenous fleeing and flying away, some of the plants even shriveling up into their pods as the earth shook. The shriek wasn't even what sent the hairs standing up along the back of his neck, but instead it was the sinking of those claws into soil that Lucifer could even swear he felt as if it were his own skin. Whatever it was, it wasn't friendly. That much was certain.

The initial shock was overpowered by Lucifer's recognition of the sound's general origin, seeing Krynn closer to it than he. So he stood forward and took up that role which he never truly thought he would take until now. HIs left hand curved around her, like the mother goose's wing, and, intentionally without touching her, attempted to guide her back away from the sound. He turned in towards her with a stone cold seriousness, not looking her in the eyes any longer, as he loomed over her to get her to relocate towards the fauna he found up ahead.

"Okay, uhm, time to go," he tried softly, sounding obviously overwhelmed in this figure's suit. It was too tight for him, it did not fit his fleeting freedoms and selfish flexibility regardless of whom he disturbed. Yet here he attempted to fit snug inside the skin, rigid as a newborn's father.

Trees snapped and toppled, roots upheaving as they yank out the multitude of webbing in the dirt with the sounds of a hundred snapping threads. Another massive footstep silenced it.

"Alri-" he pointed just before he lost his words to the flunking fear burrowing deep in him now. He had been frozen by the sensation, the condensation that tickled his pores with a foreign exchange that telegraphed the tall terror; as if sharing the information sheltered in the reptilian-like behemoth's cells in their humid touch.

One final slam of the foot, the beast's claw bearing down through the thicket as its arms spread the curtain for its opening herald; a shrieking roar, spouting a thick storm of saliva out onto the bed of dirt at their heels.

Like lightning, Krynn was shoved to the ground when Lucifer spun around and caught the called hilt into hand with a skin slap, and the blue beam ignited with a snap-hiss. There he crouched, compounded into his own animosity as he stared the bold beast square in the eyes. With Krynn down behind him, his fear freely focused through his heightening emotions; and ever rising. His cheeks were hot, ears burning with desperation that bored from his brow at the focal. In his eyes, he had not provoked this danger; yet he was not hesitant in the slightest to the concept of death. Not of his own, but to the slaughtering of nature's creatures.

The massive beast, a wild Rancor of colored teal and riddled green raked across its hide, reeled back with long arms stretching up towards the heavens before hammering down like thunderbolts accompanied again with that roar.

Lucifer's chin stretched up, following the rising claws over bearing down their monstrous gavels, then slipped down into rotation. He turned back right, towards Krynn, shot out his left hand that sent a safe Push of energy to further shove Krynn away to safety, relaxed that right leg completely, collapsed down onto his seat, and rolled backwards out of harms way - just barely.

The massive claws bashed down into the soil with a splashing crater, and Lucifer rolled over back onto feet - only to be suddenly swatted by the Rancor's reacting right claw. With a backhand, Lucifer, with arms crossed over-face, was sent flying away and into a large dark green leaf. It mostly caught him. He stumbled forward onto his feet and looked up, witnessing the Rancor turning towards him with a dribbling drool from rows of sharp fangs and two jutting tusk-like protrusions. It built up into a charge, raging with more noise than Lucifer had heard from a single being. His right boot twisted a dig into the ground, then a contained burst of energy bolted the boy like a bullet gliding over ground towards the Rancor's feet. It swiped its claws across their joined path, but Lucifer passed too quickly and sailed in with a burning slash through its ankle.

It staggered slow to a halt, whining from the pain for just a moment before almost forgetting it even happened. The creature was so feral and massive, that the wound didn't deter it one bit. Lucifer staggered to a stop before he too turned around, then looked back to Krynn to check on her well being.

"Krynn!" he tried, only able to spend that short moment expressing his care for her before pivoting his right leg back behind him while two fingers folded underneath the hilt as the hand flourished the blade about and reversed it with the beam at the back of his fist held behind.

This was serious. He felt hindered, attached to keeping connected with Krynn whilst also focusing his power on the creature ahead. It was a challenge he had not yet faced, and it split his concentration. He felt he couldn't release the knowledge of his power within whilst so focused on keeping her out of the fight. But he had to try. Was this the way of freedom? Was more required of him, he wondered. He feared the worst, and yet felt moments of invigorated anarchy. The devil be damned if he dare not accept who he is.

 

[Pdox]

Krynn

Cold became her body. Eyes dilated upon the ravaged undergrowth before her. As vision swirled within timeless liquid numbing electrical synapses. Frozen and numbed were her nerves. So much in fact that Krynn’s joints grew with pain. Planted as though a statue as the carnage neared…

So far removed from the world, absorbed within terror, was she that when Lucifer came to her defense it was unnoticed. Voice trailing off within the breaking of fungal branches and imploding spores. Multiple colors twisting, bending, snapping in the wake of whatever horror befell them both. The forest bed seemed to remove itself reeling the tallest greens around the advancing charge. Krynn’s eyes trailed skyward as the mass of the creature towered over them. Shadowed by the vegetation it destroyed. Only until it revealed itself at last planting its large hoof forward. Then, with its claws, raked the veil aside announcing its coming with another blood curdling screech.

Bile mist and hot breath birthed from its bowls sprayed forth. Lucifer was the first to act as Krynn remained Idle still yet. Starring into the Monsters puny eyes. In truth, what followed could not be known. However Krynn was forced down and away by Lucifer in some manner. Too focused was she on the nightmare that they faced. Only the hiss of a blue light was heard while Krynn came to her hands and knees. Dazed by the movement. The spark of light gave momentary hope as it was the same instrument her Master wielded.

Her silvery orbs darted up as the creature raised his claws to Lucifer. Bringing the full weight down upon him. The world slowed as her vision followed the projected path. There was Lucifer, a blur, like lightning raising his hand to Krynn. Confusion within her gaze to his intent. Realized only with the tingling feeling of the force pushing against her frame. The feeling instilled panic within the youth as she rolled away.

Unintended though it was. Lucifer’s touch, coupled with Krynn’s fear fueled movements, sent the girl to the edge that slopped into a chasm deeper into the undergrowth…
Krynn clawed and raked in attempt to save her footing. Sliding down off the edge held only by her fingertips. Skin rubbed raw by sandy soil, nails bloodied by the gravel and blackened bile she scratched. Panicking eyes tracing Lucifer’s figure. “Lucifer!” She cried out with water drenched pearls.
Again the Aggressive Animal made his attack. Bringing thunderous claws to bare shaking the ground. Compromising the soil that held Krynn in place…

“Lucifer I Can’t-…..Ahhhhhhhh!” Grips slipped with fleeting voice down into the depths.

“Krynn!”

His voice was muffled by the cries of pain that he applied to the Rancor. Now distanced by her passing…

Spiraling down wincing in pain with every consecutive blow made by outstretched roots and rocks. Hands making vain attempt to hold fast to the passing hopes at safety. Krynn’s cries trailed off into the darkness where only the gargantuan roots twisted downward to. Her body battered by what she could no longer see. Breaking against rotted roots. The largest impacting her abdomen forcing breath from her lungs. Eyes wide with muted pain. Falling further, something inside said “Reach out” to which she attempted.

Feeling the leathery giant Leaves that passed her until a vine caught her arm. Whipping her from the slope into weightless free fall. Body impacting the softened vegetation In her path until at last the pain ended in a moistened splash of mud…

 

[Butler]

"KRYNN!!!" he shouted once again, voice cracking as he felt her passing from sight. And, suddenly, he could no longer feel her clearly. She had vanished from his senses.

He kicked up the soil as he tried to run to her, holding out his hand to reach her somehow, when he was suddenly snatched up by the massive three digit claw. His abdomen suffered and his ribs nearly cracked from the constricting pressure as the beast slowly lifted Lucifer up to its slimy gums. Lucifer's bulging eyes of fright and fear squished together with suffering as he could no longer think of anything but the suffocating pain.

Lucifer looked up to the creature's dull eyes, and just when it opened its mouth - Lucifer swept the blue beam down through the rancor's wrist, slicing its hand free from bone. It screamed with a maddening pitch, dropped Lucifer, and staggered back before looking at its wound in disbelief.

The ex-Jedi landed softly enough, yet crumbled to the ground with needed recovery as he clutched his ribs. Breathing was difficult, yet he found it's ease returning quickly enough.

The rancor suddenly swung its arm over and slammed it into Lucifer's position, who leapt out of the way into a side-roll just in the nick of time. The rancor's claws slashed at the ground and into Lucifer, whom was thrown away like a ragdoll. In the opposite direction as krynn, Lucifer was hurled over the edge of the fauna and sent rolling down the short slippery slope into a massive and open lair. At its center was a protrusion with long growing leaves twisting and curling out of their stems. Yet all around it, in the immediate area, was relatively flat terrain.

The rancor slammed its foot down through the trees with a roar, announcing its return to the fight. And Lucifer stumbled back and to his feet. His breathing was heavy now. Desperation built inside of him as he wondered where Krynn had fallen to and if he could get to her. He didn't even get a good look at the direction of the slant in the hole she had stumbled down. And then, twinges at the back of his neck began alerting him to more presences nearby. It was then that Lucifer started to doubt the safety of this place.

"Come then!" he challenged with arms wide open. "It's just you and I now!"

Boom...

Another thundering tremble sounded in the distance. He was wrong. There was another.