A Fistful of Sand

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

Koriban - Twilight​

Zazai knelt on the edge of the cliff, the mountainside dueling grounds just behind him. The night was approaching, the moon already visible in the twilight sky. The fading sun giving the already mostly red planet an almost fiery look. In the distance, storm clouds gathered, lightning streaking through them.

The Sith had been here since before dawn, fighting with whoever had come. It had been weeks since he had been bested by that Jedi Witch, Ti'Tani. He was still haunted by that vision, that face appearing to him almost every night since then. He wanted it out of his head, her out of his head. Every once in a while, he felt flashes of...something. He couldn't explain it. He tried not to think about it. He had not told any of the instructors at the Sith Temple, not willing to admit he had been so weak and left him vulnerable. Instead, he came here, every morning and spent all day.

His shirt lay on a nearby rock, warm breeze blowing over his skin. The skin was scared, marked with the countless injuries of his youth as a slave. His muscles were sore, but he let that pain ground him, stoke the fire inside of him. He would have his revenge one day, and he would never let himself be that vulnerable again. He starred out over the canyon, knowing what he would see if he closed his eyes, and refusing to do so.

 

[Jenova Savas]

A voice from across the duelling grounds called out to him. A familiar voice. "So...This is where you've secluded yourself," Jenova emerged from the Temple, throwing a cautionary glance around her to ensure their privacy, "The temple instructors told me I might find you here." Though they were none to pleasant to converse with. Truly, the masters here were imposing figures to contend with; their control over the dark side was only rivalled with their absolute authority over the acolytes their surveyed. Wisely, Jenova was respect, if not cautious.

She hadn't changed much since their last encounter; her hair was still an wild emerald mass, all whilst her eyes blazed their usual molten hues. There was something else hidden in her eyes; excitement, a barely contained vortex of ambition. Clearly, she had sought Zazai out for a purpose.

Closing the distance between them, Jenova halted at the edge of the cliff, her gaze distant in its inability to perceive the visage that existed before her. She could not enjoy the darkened depths of the skies, nor could she marvel at the rugged terrain of the canyon below. Instead, she savoured her other senses. A distinct flagging caught her ear, the soft gentle motions puzzling her for a moment as she was unable to decipher the source straight; a fabric or some sorts? Perhaps. There were no other sounds to consider, seeing as Korriban hosted no musical birds of any variety. This was a harsh unforgiving land, and it bred only the strongest of predators. There was a salty smell of sweat adding to the air, along with the presence of blood. She'd expect nothing less, given the ferocity in which sith warriors were required to train. It was actually these notions she wished to act on, though caution would temper her steps. The adventure she sought would not be an easy one, she needed aid. And the red skinned male had been the first candidate to cross her mind.

​

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"It is good to see you again, Zazai." She crossed her arms, enjoying the caress of the wind has it washed over her, "It's been a while."

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He sensed the woman approached. It had indeed been a while, but he recognized the woman's presence in the Force. It was wild, untamed, like the wind of a storm or a raging river.

He was in a sour mood, not much wanting company, but he pulled himself out of his own thoughts slightly as she began to speak. The masters had sent another person like they had sent all of their students to fight him in the last days. He didn't mind it. Battle let his mind be distracted for a time from his failure. It provided the hope for his redemption.

With each loss, his body was strengthened, lessons learned. Though he did not lose often here. He had learned quickly, recognized by the military for his combat and leadership abilities. Given authority over soldiers when he was not here training.

"..and you Jenova." he said, not bothering to turn around to see the green-skinned woman. , instead of keeping his gaze out over the cliffside. "Have you come to finally receive that thrashing I promised you?" he asked, voice just audible over the wind as it picked up. It would storm before long. Zazai always loved the time before a storm. The coming chaos, the landscaping holding its breath in anticipation.

"Or have you come in search of my legendary healing skills?" he asked, looking at her out of the corner of his eye over his shoulder.

 

[Jenova Savas]

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"A thrashing?" Jenova gave a haughty chuckle, cantering of her head to him in a show of amusement, "You should be so lucky. We both know in a test of strength-" her fist rose in union with her words, "- I would be the victor."

Her smile soon died though, her attention turning skyward. She too sensed the approaching storm. She even felt a kinship with it. A storm was an unyielding force of nature -much like herself-, something which no mortal could easily counter or control; none could stand before it's brutality and power. And those foolish enough to try were torn asunder, without mercy and without a second thought. Jenova had yet to see a storm of Korriban though; it was nearly impossible to imagine, given the planet's barren, dessert like terrain. But now was not the time for such activities. She had come for something entirely different.

"No. I have come to make an offer." Ensure their privacy was still assured, Jenova continued, attempting the whet the Sith's appetite. "An opportunity has presented itself. One I think we both might benefit from."

The hybrid moved to sit beside Zazai, undaunted by the prospect of an approaching storm. "Have you ever heard of the Matukai?"

There was no attempt to hide the bubbling excitement growing within her. She had heard only rumours about this mysterious sect; some even doubted whether or not they existed at all to begin with. But Jenova was certain, she knew without a doubt the band of warriors were entirely real. After all, she had seen one. Only a child at the time, she remembered the day she saw a Matukai fighter. What brought the warrior to the fighting pits was unclear, but he utterly dominated the arena. The young Jenova could only watch in amazement has he preformed feats of skill the likes of which none had ever seen before. The human's strength was unmatched, his style unpredictable. By the time the dust had settled, all opponent lay defeated in the dirt.

Then, like the wind, he vanished, leaving behind an unbeaten legacy. Jenova spent her entire adolescent trying to mimic that stranger's fighting style. But her attempts were only crude imitations, nothing at all like what she had witnessed that fateful day. But it was enough. Enough to conquer the pits herself, enough for her to gain entry into the Sith ranks. Now, it was time to progress further. Now, it was time to master the Matukai way.

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He had to admit, he missed the banter that seemed to flow naturally between the two. In many ways, he felt different from the Sith, even those of his own kind but he felt a connection to this woman, perhaps it was witnessing the raw power she harnessed some their mission together. There was no secret power grabs there, only a genuine search for power. It was something he shared with her, building a kinship between them.


Maybe he was wrong, too naive to understand when he was being tricked. It wouldn't be the first time he reminded himself in the back of his mind.


He raised his eyebrow at the mention of an offer. She asked about the Mutakai as she sat down beside him. He had never heard that word before. It wasn’t surprising. He didn't know many things about the Galaxy.


“I do not know of this Mutakai” he said saying the word slowly. “What is it?” He asked curiously. He reached for his bag that lay on the dusty cliff floor beside him.


He pulled a large fruit out of the bag. He not felt the hunger he had force away all day “Food?” He asked holding the fruit out towards her, forgetting her sightlessness before placing the fruit in her hand if she agreed.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova accepted the fruit, taking a healthy bite out of its succulent pulp flesh. She offered it back to him, seeing if he too wished to partake. Licking the juice from her lips, she began to regale him with the legends of the Matukai. Though, could they really be considered legends? They were as real as their own flesh and blood.

"The Matukai are a force sect, completely seperate from the Jedi and the Sith. Think of them as a neutral party. They offer no allegiance to anyone aside from their own," Jenova had read extensively on the subject, though there were only the limited reports. Their understanding of the mysterious warriors was tentative at best. She hoped to change that. In fact, she hoped to achieve something far better. "The Matukai practice martial arts as a form of meditation; their bodies became catalysts for the force enough. Speed, agility, strength, all this is amplified through their training." She reached for the fruit again, her appetite whetted from discussion. But the fruit was only a mild substitute. She hungered for something far more abstract. She hungered for the secrets of the Matukai.

The wind was picking up once more, as if tuning itself to Jenova's growing desires. She closed her eyes, savouring the sweet caress of the breeze. "These warriors turn their bodies into weapons. None can match them in combative fields. Imagine if we brought such power to the Empire, imagine if we could take that power for ourselves," her fist clenched, causing the juice of the fruit to trickle from her hand. A rabid glint flashed within the hybrid's eyes; it was one of pure ambition, a intent none could deny.

But quickly she checked herself, pushing back the beasts within her. "Of course, there are risks involved," She licked the juice from her fingers, contemplating the obstacles as she explained them to Zazai. "They would never train anyone with ties to the Jedi or Sith. And there are none who can force them to do so. I propose we take a... deceptive route."

Jenova turned to gaze at Zazai, even if she couldn't physically perceive him, "The Matukai are holding a tournament in a mere matter of days. They are sourcing new acolytes for their sect. I fully intend to go to that tournament-" boldly, Jenova placed her hand on the Sith's shoulder "- And I want you to come with me. Together, we can learn the ways of the Matukai, and return to the Empire as warriors, the likes of which they've never dreamt of."

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He accepted back the fruit, taking his own bite from it before handing it back to Jenova. He listened intently, focusing on the approaching, but still distant storm. The idea enticed him, this was added to by the sheer eagerness the woman had to learn of their teachings. That desire was contagious, spreading to Zazai.

It seemed fundamentally different than the teachings of the Sith which taught power and strength only came from their sheer devotion to the Dark Side of the Force. Perhaps there was something to be learned from these Mutakai. She then explained that they would never accept them with their allegiance still with the Sith. It would be difficult for him to hide such allegiances given his appearance, even though the Sith race was still a relatively unknown race. Someone there would likely know at least of his people if they stood against the Sith.

He pondered her words, though she likely knew it would not be difficult to convince him of such a plan. It was worth the risk if they indeed offered the strength Jenova thought they did. He met her gaze as she reached for his shoulder. He was silent for several seconds before nodding his head slightly. "I will do this thing with you. We will enter this tournament and gain access to the secrets of these Mutakai." he said looking back over the canyon.

"What is your plan for deceiving them?" he asked.

 

[Jenova Savas]

The hybrid grinned, utterly delighted with Zazai's compliance. Now, they were another step closer to accomplishing their goal. Still, she knew there were some obstacles to consider. These were trained force adepts. Not simpletons. They would sense the dark side within both of them, should they rely on it too readily.

"This will require some...tact." Not Jenova's strongest ability, but something she'd be willing to work on, "Our greatest challenge? The dark side. We can not use it. We must rely on the force itself, otherwise they will sense our alignment and the battle is lost." Perhaps they should take the days they have an prepare hiding their presence. It might not mask it entirely, but perhaps enough to pass as ambiguous. Combat and battle were passionate acts, and often they drew out sentients' baser instincts. The dark side was a consequence of such things.

And, of course, there was the glaring red bantha in the proverbial room. "Another obstacle will be your appearance. I know your people have limited exposure to the galaxy, but still, I fear there may be negative...connotations. You may require a disguise. A covering, or helmet perhaps." She pondered on the idea, trying to think which path would yield the most fruit. Fighting in restrictive robes would not be easy for the lumbering Sith, but she trusted in his skills and adaptability.


She went on further to explain, "The Matukai aren't necessarily looking for victors in this tournament. They are looking for potential. Living clay so that they might mould true warriors. We don't have to win, we just have to gain their attention." Still, she realised it was a great risk. They would be exposing themselves to numerous threats, facing tremendous trials and challenges. But surely, the prize would be worth it. To achieve such power, such perfection, anything would be worth this singular opportunity. Zazai had said it himself once, how would an opponent be able to counter such unorthodox fighting? The problem with lightsabers and force abilities was the fact it was all tedious, all predictable. There was nothing unique amongst the Empire anymore, nothing to foster growth and evolution. If that were the case, their young Empire was doomed to die. If a living being didn't adapt, didn't thrive to overcome and strengthen itself, what right did it have to life? This endeavour, this task they were to take, it would guarantee the legacy of their Empire. Even when their bodies were rendered dust, they would live as legends.

"I will not deceive you with lies and promises. This will be a arduous task." Jenova turned her gaze out, somehow aware of the encroaching clouds. The skies were darkening, the winds growing strong, "The Matukai will challenge us, they will break us down before building us back up. If-" She then stopped to correct herself "-When we return to the Empire, we shall be living weapons. We will become the Sith's greatest assets, even if they themselves don't know it yet."

With a crack of lightning, the storm had arrived.

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

Zazai’s face furrowed a bit at the mention of tact. He had been called many things in his life, subtle was not one of them. “Me and you are kindred spirits when it comes to this.” He said taking a fist and slamming it into his open palm “Subtle like a sledgehammer, me and you.” He said letting a grin crawl back to his face.

He listened to the greatest of her concerns. “Are you calling me ugly?” He asked when she was finished. he reached over and pushed her slightly. It was a lighthearted gesture, he wasn't sure how he sight actually let her see the world around her but he was fairly certain she could make anything as exact as someone's appearance. He feigned sulking “At Least my eyes don’t glow in the dark…” he said. He dare not say anything actually negative about the woman’s appearance because it wouldn't be true. She was gorgeous, and he was certain if he did she would launch him off the cliff.

The last mention of them not having to actually win seemed out of character for the woman. He raised an eyebrow “You may not win.” He said, pausing slightly “but if I go, I will accept nothing less than winning.”

The storm was nearing them now, the winds starting to howl and a light rain starting to fall fr the sky. “Come.” He said standing “We will not make it back to the Temple before those storm is upon us.” He said as he made his way towards a nearby cliff face. They would have to climb down the mountain they were on to get back to the Temple, a task only the foolish would attempt. He led her to a small cave in the side of the cliff. He had stayed here several nights before on his longer training days. It already had wood for a fire. It would be tight for two people, but he gathered she had slept in worse places.

“So, tell me, how did you hear of these Mutakai?” He asked sparked the fire with two nearby rocks.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova chuckled, finding Zazai's usual humour refreshing as always. "Far from it, my friend. Your radiance is blinding," The hybrid couldn't help but snigger at her own poorly made joke. Truth be told, if she focused well enough, she could -vaguely- make out the contours of a person's face; from this, she could secure some insight into their appearance. Zazai was indeed alien to her. The plains of his face were sharp and angular, promoting a strong profile. Perhaps most interesting was the deep seat of his eyes. Jenova wondered what colour they were, what colour his skin was. No power, not even the force, could grant her that perception; yes, she had been tempted to the ask the Sith outright, but -strangely- she felt bashful asking outright. Odd, considering her usual brashness.

Instead, she faked offense, slapping Zazai's upper arm with back of her hand, "Hold thy insolent tongue." She fought not to smile, though it was a losing battle.

But the winds were turning cold, with thunder announcing the final approach of the storm; the faint scent of rain tainted the air, a curious notion considering they were sat in the middle of the desert. Jenova was almost tempted to stay, curious to watch the natural phenomenon. Yet rationality won over; f

ollowing Zazai -closely- along the cliff side, the emerald amazon shuffled under the rocky canopies of the cave, just as a torrent of rain began. "Very cozy," She noted, "You've been here before I take it."

Settling herself on the hard, gravel ground, Jenova listened to the falling rain. Every so often, lightning would strike, illuminating her ethereal features in a terrific burst of light. Then came the rumble of the accompanying thunder. It drew a small smile; the thunder reminded her of Zazai, the depths of his voice, the foreboding sensations conjured by its roar. She couldn't help but admire it.

And when he asked her about the Matukai, Jenova's expression became thoughtful with memories. "When I was young, still slumming it in the fighting pits, I saw one of their warriors fight. He moved like a beast, his power unrivalled. Opponents fell one after the other. He proclaimed the Matukai's greatness, and left. Compared to him-" She sighed, moving to ruffle her thick hair aside, "-I'm just an amateur. A crude imitation."

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

"I prefer it out here. Feels more like home." he said shrugging as he slid down the floor. "Though I never had to share it before." he said chuckling. The storm came, howling just outside the cave entrance. The small fire quickly warmed the cave to a comfortable level. He relaxed back against the cave wall as he listened to Jenova speak of her encounter with this mysterious Mutakai.

The description reminded him greatly of how he had seen Jenova fight. If that was a crude imitation this would truly be an exciting journey. "I hope they are as great as you remember. I would very much like to see this." he remarked. Her eyes seemed to burn brilliantly with the firelight, flaring with the excitement behind her words.

A crack of thunder just outside caught his attention, causing him to look outside. The elders of his clan would tell stories of the furious spirits that lived in these storms. It played with the imagination, causing him to almost see the figures dancing angrily across the sky. While it may not be spirits, the storm was surely empowered by the dark side energies that saturated everything on this planet, including his people. It surely would be no easy task to convince others he was infused with the Dark Side of the Force.

He hadn't noticed himself become distracted, pulling himself back, he quipped "Though when we learn of their secrets, I will be able to best you in both hand to hand combat and with the sword. I am surprised you would ask me to come along." he said nudging her again with his shoulder.

 

[Jenova Savas]

Jenova bathed in the heat of the fire, allowing its warmth to wash over her. Despite the rugged conditions of their surroundings, it was rather pleasant; outside the storm raged, whilst the pair of remained untouched, undisturbed by the outside world. Jenova could see why Zazai favoured this spot. It was secluded, but safe. She wondered how he had managed to find it. The Sith was still an enigma to her; despite their kinship, there were still untold depths to his character. It made the hybrid curious. She wanted to know more about her would be ally. Especially as they were about to embark on quite a risky endeavour. But trust was built over time, it was earnt through gestures and actions, not cumbersome words.

Reclining beside the fire, the hybrid leisurely listened to the kindling as it crackled and spat. She then sniggered at the Sith's words, skewering Zazai with her heated stare. "Careful, you're hubris is showing."

Very few attempted to converse with Jenova; she was a green skinned alien, of Amazonian proportions. Many were easily intimidated by the mere sight of her. But not Zazai. He almost seemed to challenge her, relishing in the light hearted verbal barbs they exchanged with one another. Truthfully, she enjoyed them as well. She merely smirked over the flicker of the flames, eyes inviting him to try his luck.

"You might be better with the blade, but it is I who will always be master of the body," She let the suggestion hang in air, knowing full well the numerous ways such a statement could be interpreted.

 

[Zazai Ta'Resh]

"Perhaps.." he said chuckling meeting the woman's gaze.

The heat from the fire soaked into his sore muscles as he sunk a bit further back into the wall. he had a feeling many others shied away from her intense stare, not able to stand under the gaze of such an impressive woman but Zazai found captured by it, longing for it.

"Perhaps.." his voice lowered as he grinned, looking her up and down. There was more than just playful banter in his gaze, a quiet desire, a hunger was also present.

He forced himself to remain still, letting the tension slowly build in him even as his body become more relaxed. He locked eyes with her, the sounds of outside seeming to fade away from his mind.

He found himself enjoying the game of cat and mouse. His stare became less intense, adopting a more nonchalant posture. "What do you think this tournament will be like?" he asked. It wasn't a question he was totally uninterested in hearing the answer to, but it had become a secondary interest to him.

 

[Jenova Savas]

A cattish grin tugged at Jenova's dark lips; the Sith was playing with fire. And she felt compelled to meet the challenge. Ah, but this was something far more profound. It was a -friendly- battle of wills; one she intended to win.

She would answer his question, though knowing full well there was little interest in the answer. With each passing moment, the siege of the Matukai was becoming nothing more than distant thought. "Sources tell me this will be a combative tournament. Opponents will be pitted against each until a victor emerges." Cantering her head back, Jenova then turned her attention outwards, towards the storm. Its wails grew, like a spurned lover seeking attention. "The rules are quite simple. No weapons. Purely martial forms."

They were now in the eye of the storm, the centre of the manifestation's vortex. There was a charge in the air, a distinct density clinging to every crevice. She felt electrified with each lightning striking. The thunder quickening each heart beat. Was this euphoria brought on by the storm? Or perhaps a more earthly conductor? Zazai was an attractive male, and more than capable warrior. Never would she deny that truth. Had he battled in the fighting pits, he would have gone far, garner fame and admiration, especially from the female patrons. The Sith was building up a reputation for himself, and he rose each time to meet the proverbial challenge. Some would respect his devotion to the Empire, perhaps even commend him for it. But for Jenova, she sought less tangible qualities. She wondered what drove a male such as this? What spurred him into action? What set him ablaze?

Wetting her lips with a delicate swipe of her tongue, she'd couldn't help but toy with the intriguing notion of finding out. Battle wasn't merely waged on the fields of war. There were other territories to invest in.

Still, the hybrid couldn't help but poke the Sith yet again, glancing back at him with a haughty smugness, "Understandably, you might find yourself at a disadvantage there, given your inexperience in...physicality." The words rolled out her tongue with a distinctive purr, like a hunter dangling some bait. Would he take it, she wondered? Zazai didn't strike her as a prideful specimen, but he certainly didn't seem like one to disappoint either.

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He figured the contest would be something similar to what she had described. It was not something he was extremely practiced in but he had both grown up fighting in mines, sometimes to settle disputes, sometimes because their masters demanded it. They would gamble with the lives of their slaves, caring little if they lived or died. It had been just one other way life could be cut short. He had wanted to welcome death back then, others had and surely been spared many hardships because of it. He never could accept such a fate, he fought tooth and claw to hold onto any life he could. It had now paid off. He was alive, strengthed by his time in the furnace.

As the storm raged outside, so it raged within him. He was tied to this place through the Force. A bond that had been developed over hundreds of generations. He felt its heartbeat like he did his own. It urged him to action, his muscles jittery with anticipation. This was only added to by her words. A low growl was the only counter he offered to her challenge.

It was almost enough but he wasn't through with the hunt. He moved beside her, reaching out a hand he gently tilted her face upwards to meet his eyes. He stared into those fiery pools, firelight dancing across them. "I suppose we will find out soon enough." he said, voice rumbling in his chest as he slowly traced her jawline with a finger.

He lingered there for a few seconds longer before pulling away and moving back to the other side of their tiny cave. He took the discarded shirt from earlier and rolled it up to form a makeshift pillow. He eased himself down on his back, laying his head on the rolled up cloth.

He had a content grin on his face as he glanced at the green-skinned woman before looking to the cave ceiling above.

 

[Jenova Savas]

With a subtle tilt of her head, Jenova seemed to gaze at Zazai, unfazed by his bold touch. In fact, she seemed to relish it, the roughness of his finger tips contrasting the smoothness of her skin. Had he lingered a moment longer, Jenova might have even closed her eyes in pure bliss. But the Sith retreated, much to the hybrid's annoyance. She knew what game he was playing, she knew all too well, seeing as she was no stranger to it herself. So, she simply cast him a knowing look, her expression reflecting a mixture of amusement as well as exasperation. Patience was certainly no virtue of hers, but she'd endeavour to out last him.

Undaunted, Jenova nodded to the mouth of the cave, evidently referring to the storm still raging. "It looks like we'll be spending the night." She wasn't sure how long the storms on Korriban lasted; but knowing the planet's temperamental nature, she could make a well founded assumption.

There was a huskiness in her tone, as her hands travelled down the length of her body, towards her boots, "Best get comfortable...Wouldn't you agree?"
Slowly, with all the time in the world, Jenova removed the various armoured plates from her body suit. She was methodical and deliberate. She started at the base of her feet and then moved upwards to unclip the shin guards from her slender legs. The armoured features of her arms came off next, with Jenova tugging at the plated gloves. She removed each article leisure, without shame. Not that there was anything illicit in her actions per say. All she was removing were her outer plates; she was still fully clothed in the black mesh of her suit. Yet with heated eyes and smirking lips, Jenova could make a Zeltron blush. She looked almost sinful, eager to continue.

The amazon's hands then skimmed down the latches of her chest plate, the fingers curling just under the clips. One small tug was all she needed to release it. Yet she paused, turn her head once more in Zazai's direction. "You don't mind, do you?" One clip flicked open, "I'd hate to make you feel uncomfortable." The another, "This is your cave after all, your domain."

Only one last latch remained secure. And Jenova was lazily caressing it, waiting for Zazai's response. "And I'd hate to take advantage of your good nature..."

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[Zazai Ta'Resh]

He watched the flickering firelight dance across the ceiling well. The storm raged outside, and likely would for hours. It didn't storm often on Korriban, but when it did, it went all out. Zazai wasn't complaining. "Very unfortunate luck." he said, still grinning.

He heard her shift as she stood, folding an arm under his head, he propped himself up slightly. He gazed outside as multi-colored lightning blazed across the sky. His attention was drawn back to her as she spoke, running a hand down the length of her body. He raised an eyebrow, grin deepening. "By all means.." he spoke quietly.

She moved slowly, methodically, turning the very mundane task of removing armor into a rather painfully seductive one. The mesh undersuit was tight, perfectly tracing the lines down her body. It would seem that the hybrid woman's skills stretched beyond those a warrior.

He found himself distracted, not hearing her words at first. His eyes focused a second later, caught a bit off balance. He felt many things, discomfort was not one them. "I am sure I will manage." he said, recovering slightly.

As the last piece of armor fell to the floor he sat up slowly turning to face her once more. "Comfortable?" he asked, smiling. This was a losing battle he was fighting, which would normally be unacceptable to the Sith Warrior, but he found himself willing to accept defeat in this case. Arm resting on his knee, he reached out a hand palm raised, his fingers lazily outstretched towards her. She would feel the Force nudging her towards him with the slightest of pulls. It was gentle but firm.

A losing battle, indeed.

 

[Jenova Savas]

"Indeed." Jenova all but grinned.

She felt assured in her victory; the force itself was pulsating between the two of them, feeding of each other's own desires. Perhaps the storm aided them as well, electrifying the air, fanning the flames of yearning. Inside the small, unassuming cave, nothing else seemed to matter. The stars and planets themselves fell away into a meaningless void; all that existed for Jenova and Zazai.

Feeling the coy pull of the force, the amazon chuckled, sauntering closer with each step measured and relaxed. Her hand lifted, coming to rest on his cheek. A small rush of air escaped her. His skin was hot to the touch, almost scolding. The angular contours sharp and prominent. She seemed captivated by his exotic features, stirred with growing want.

"I do not need the sweetness of words, nor the promises of fidelity." Her voice was barely a whisper, though there was an intensity to it. Her speech was heady, laced with brazen lust. Her heart of thumping, blood racing. In the flicker of the flames, her cheeks looked almost flushed with excitement. She then lowered herself closer to him, seeming to nuzzle him with odd affection. Her other hand came to rest on Zazai's shoulder, the fingers absently testing the muscular flesh within her grip. Jenova must have approved, as she nibbled on her lip in apparent appreciation.

In his ear, she cooed, "Just give me this night and we shall both know only pleasure." Gazing at him once more, Jenova pressed her lips to his own, her grip turning demanding and she pulled him closer.

The storm could rage on for all she cared. All that mattered in that moment was Zazai, and the union they would share.

End​