Ask Where the Loth-kittens Dwell

[Karys]

Loth-kitten.

It was a term of endearment that had come to cause Karys ripples of thrilled pleasure whenever Azar uttered it. It was his pet name, he knew that and he embraced it. There was an issue however, Karys had never actually seen a Loth-cat. That is why he had come to Lothal. Not hunting for some grand adventure or hidden artifact, but to find one of the young of this damnable feline species.

Karys wore his usual outfit when roaming the open Galaxy. The dark green flight jacket overtop his light combat armor, with a pair of black pants. He wore bits of armor he’d kept from Zygerria. Namely a shoulder pauldron, bracers, and a pair of rugged leather boots. On his belt, Karys had his blaster pistol, a few reloads, his lightsaber hilt was tuck onto the back of his belt and hidden by his jacket, the flask that contained Azar’s potion, and his EZphone. He had slid pink colored contacts to mask his now permanent yellow Sith eyes.

To the majority of the Galaxy, he’d just appear to be some Zeltron-hybrid.

Karys made his way from the spaceport in Lothal’s capital city to the library. However, Karys couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the clever name of the city, Lothal-City. Clearly, the individuals who named this place were some of the brightest minds in the Galaxy. He didn’t expect much from this place nor its centers of knowledge.

Except maybe just enough to find where these Loth-cats dwell.

@GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

"What do you mean I can't make copies?"

"You heard me and now I'm not going to repeat myself, young lady, you cannot make replications unless you are a student at the Lothal University."

Theia remained steel-faced as she starred down the uncooperative librarian. "You will let me make copies..." she said waving her fingers in attempt to try a mind trick. However, it seemed to have no effect and instead infuriated the Librarian further.

"Guards! Escort her out!" They were already lined up behind Theia as they each took an arm, and practically dragged the protesting red head out of the library. It was drawing much attention and if Theia was going to have to be humiliated like this, she was going to make sure everyone knew. Visitors and students alike watched as the guards came to the entrance of the library and literally threw her out the doors. Theia, unable to gain control of her step, gracelessly fumbled right into a literal tank of a being. Then of course, to add to her humiliation, the guards threw out her pack and other belongings, watching them explode out in all directions when her books, pens, paints, and inks hit the ground.

"Ah, sorry man... don't go in there, they don't let you make copies." she said finding herself stepping back a couple steps to be able to properly look at the red-toned being before her. "Just inconsiderate of them..." she scoffed.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys had been in the midst of opening the door to the library when a woman was suddenly flung into his chest. Instinct kicked in and his hand shot out to grasp her shoulder, steadying her. And then her bag was tossed out behind her. Ink, paper, pens, and other materials were scattered in all directions. Some bottles of ink or paint shattered upon impact. It stained the back of Karys’ jacket and some splattered on the woman as well.

They didn’t allow copies? Karys cocked an eyebrow ridge at the woman. Karys looked down at the much smaller human before flicking his eyes up towards the guards who had thrown her out. They had ruined his favorite jacket. His gaze would shift back to the red head.

“You have ink on your…blouse?” He told the red-haired human, unsure of the kind of shirt she wore.

As Karys began to help the strange human clean up her mess the best he could, he would speak to her.

“I am Karys.” He told her, his tone neutral. “You were cast out for trying to make copies? Was it of forbidden text?” He asked trying to make sense of what she had told him.

@GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

To her luck, someone was there to stop her from falling face-first into the stone steps as she watched the rest of her belongings fly overhead. It had taken her ages to get things organized in her bag, normally her system was to just shove and forget, but now it was going to take several hours...days to fix it how she had it. She stepped hard, but was able to steady herself with Karys help, seeing first the ink stains on his jacket before actually seeing his face, which she had to crook her head back quite far as he spoke. She looked back down at her shirt and sighed.

"Gahhh...and your jacket, ahh..." she pointed out still flabbergasted she was thrown out of the library, "Sorry for them, the ink will come out, I get it on me all the time." Theia knelt down, feeling something wet under her knee. She was now glad she wore her black pants to hide any ink stain she just granted herself in her attempt to not let him do all the work. Theia shoved everything the red-toned guy, who called himself Karys, gave to her. She was able to salvage at least one small container of ink, she just hoped it didn't have a crack she wasn't able to see.

"Forbidden?" she questioned, "Kind of, only students in the Lothal University history department are allowed in the section. Which is not fair, so I helped myself," she paused, "Again, I am the reason they put up a new holocam in the artifact section." Theia seemed a little too proud at that fact, and noticed she was grinning a bit too wide at this situation.

"So, are you from around here? You wouldn't happen to know where else Lothal keeps history records?" she asked him.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys’ dour demeanor faded as the red headed human spoke, apologizing for something that wasn’t her fault. Karys waved her apologies off as he helped collect her things with her. Once they had collected everything they could, she’d begin to explain the events leading up to her expulsion from the library.

“So what you’re saying is, you need an Ident badge of some sort?” Karys asked. “Have you thought of stealing one off of a student here and altering it?” Karys continued. “It might be able to get you into the section you want.” He offered.

When the young woman asked if Karys was from Lothal, she’d get a chuckle in reply. He shook his head slowly side to side. “No I’m not from here.” Karys replied. “And I can’t help you find another library such as this.” He continued. “But I might be able to help you get what you need, if you’re willing to help me find something in return.” Karys stated, offering a trade to the young woman.

@GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Stealing?

"I thought about it, but that's a lot of extra steps, so I just been decoding their ancient keypad to get inside." she explained, "Though it doesn't matter now, they know who I am so they're going to be watching for me." Theia sighed, though was still listening to to Karys explaining he wasn't from around these parts. His lack of knowledge of other libraries such as the one they stood at currently was probably not necessarily because he was a visitor also, but she was certain there were no other public places that would offer such information and resources. However, he did give a chance to help her if she helped him.

"I can try." she said, agreeing before asking any questions, but then when it finally clicked she should... "So what is that you need help with?" she asked him, starting to walk down some steps and away from the library, she wasn't too interested in being close enough for someone to eavesdrop in case this was going to be frowned upon by the guards and librarians again. Theia adjusted the strap on her shoulder, the papers she had stuffed into her bag crunched, reminding her of the disorganization that existed within.

"I just need a copy of that map, that's all."

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

She had agreed, perfect. It would surely make hunting down one of these ferocious, apex predators down much easier. Soon Karys would have a live Loth-kitten of his own, the creature would surely inspire fear in all that beheld it. A satisfied smirk touched Karys’ lips as the pair walked a ways away from the library to plan their heist of Theia’s map.

“If you can slice the door, I can get in and grab these maps for you.” Karys offered. “I don’t think they’ll be capable of throwing me out.” He said with a devious glint in his eye. “As for what I want in return, you will help me find the mightiest of predators on this world.” He began. “I wish to see the creature that inspires fear in all that behold it.” He continued. “The Loth-kitten.” Karys smiled as he uttered the name of his prey.

It was the only thing that made sense in his mind, why else would Azar give him such a name? Whatever this was, it had to be the mightiest of all creatures to be worthy of being associated with him. Right?

@GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

As much as Theia wasn't too keen on theft, she was also not keen on the idea of one group only having the ability to keep knowledge away from others. Plus, this place was always so rude, and once she was done, she was going to give them back. He mentioned the guards not being able to throw him out and Theia did a quick eying for how big he was and there was little doubt they would be able to throw him like they did herself.

Theia listened closely to his exchange, mentioning how she can help him find a mighty predator of Lothal...her brow furrowed and her curiosity piqued. Her mind begun to run through every aggressive predatory animal on Lothal and even in the galaxy and she felt herself grow nervous but as he uttered Loth-Kitten, Theia's eyes looked from side to side, trying to figure out if this were a prank and someone was going to come out with a holo-cam.

Despite her confusion, she could see the seriousness on Karys' face and it never broke, perhaps he was serious. "A-a-a Loth-kitten? Yeah...yes, yes, I will show you this mighty predator." she said, trying her best not to start laughing as she took this as serious as Karys. "Mighty as they are clever, you'll have to be careful because they are known to bewitch others."

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

At Theia’s words, Karys smiled. So he was correct in his assumptions, Loth-kittens were apex predators. He cleared his throat and returned his focus to the first part of their joint mission, getting the map.

“Perfect.” The words came out in a throaty purr. “Tell me what the map you seek looks like, you get us in and I will take it from our enemies.” He stated bluntly.

Karys eyes turned back to the library. He was amused at the thought of an organization that shared some information freely and other bits were so jealously hoarded. He suddenly became more thankful of the archives on Umbara, at least he knew all texts were jealously guarded by the keepers there. Here? Who knew what was free to read and what could cost you your life!

@GABA

 

[Theia Durand]

Theia was skeptical of this whole thing, but it was worth a shot, "Its an archeological topical map so it will look like a regular map, but with a bunch of lines. It is labeled as L-8723, and titled, Antirrhinum Arch." Theia was finding it harder than expected to describe it, since no one has ever really asked a question like that in her entire life. "Second floor to your left." she quickly added, feeling nervous now as to how this would go over. He was huge, and she wondered if they would even give him a hard time because of his size.

The red-headed girl remained quiet as she watched him enter the library; the chances of him being kicked out immediately were slim to none, they didn't know who he was and as long as he didn't bother anyone or go to places where he was not to be at, he would not be stopped at the door. Plus, to his luck, the guards weren't paid enough to care to think if the girl would possibly outsmart their facial identification system with entirely new person all together.

Inside the stone library was back at peace with visitors relaxing, students studying, and other bibliophiles exploring the shelves from wall to wall. There were several levels that could be seen from the main hall, five or so floors that looked over the main entryway.

@Apollyon