Ask Nemesis

[Sah'ra Ryun]

With the Din Empire formally releasing worlds such as Ziost, granting them neutrality in an effort to appease the Consortium President and his war machine, it gifted many members of the Sith Order an opportunity to return to worlds that harbored historical ties to their Order. While this was a gamble for the Tiefling Warmaster, it seemed a risk that had been weighed and measured. Whatever mysteries that resided on Ziost, buried deep within the numerous tombs and ruins that dotted it’s barren landscape, needed to be recovered before they could pose a potential threat against the wider galaxy. Undoubtedly, it would draw in a great many treasure hunters and historians who craved knowledge and power. Sah’ra Ryun was one such eager adventurer.

Deep within one such tomb, Sah’ra inspected a monolithic monument carefully, her hand hovering above the stone structure. Having come in the hopes of locating a fabled holocron that contained a vast catalogue of alchemic secrets, her efforts had finally led her and her companion Drexus to it’s potential resting place. The powers of the dark side ebbed wildly on Ziost, diminishing any hopes she may have had on feeling it’s presence through the Force. No, she would need to locate the device the old fashioned way; combing through the tomb carefully and completely whilst avoiding any traps the ancient Sith may have left behind.

”So delightfully drab and ominous, wouldn’t you agree?” Sah’ra casually asked of the Iridonian, black lips curling into a sinister smile as she examined the runes carved into the base of the monument. While most may consider themselves at home in a bustling city or a warm beach, this was her element. The thrill of disturbed and menacing settings, these are what stoked her ambitions… That is, so long as there was a nice hot bath to wash away the dust and grime when it was all said and done.

To the side of the monolith, a massive stone door that had remained locked for millenia. She had every bit of faith that beyond this final obstacle was what she had come here to seek out. These runes provided the process to unlock it, to grant them access to whatever lay beyond, she was sure of it. Unfortunately, much of the symbols had been eroded away over time and only a few key phrases could be understood. If she was right, which she usually was, only an offering of blood would unlock the door. Perhaps she could garner a ‘donation’ from young Drexus? After all, if she was correct then she didn’t need to kill him… Right? But before she could voice their needs, a shiver shot down her spine. A disturbance through the Force.

”We have guests, dear Drexus,” Sah’ra stated coldly as she turned back to face the corridor they had arrived from. Unfortunately for them, while the Imperial Warmaster offered Ziost on a platter to the Sith, it too left the door open for others to seek it’s secrets for themselves.

@Scoobert @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime​

 

[Valentine Veila]

.

Valentine wasn't sure why Sah'ra had confused him for Drexus, as far as he could tell, he believed everyone could tell the Zabrak from him. Perhaps his companion was in a twilight state, her dreams and visions including Drexus instead of focusing on the present moment. Regardless, Valentine was not at all insulted by the mistake and rather found it amusing as a little smile came across his face. Although as far as Sah'ra could tell, the white mask merely glared coldly into her soul as she navigated the tombs and ruins towards their final destination.

Upon coming to the monument, Valentine also noted a massive stone door and the eroded runic messages that were carved into its base. A student of Sith Philosophy, he deduced that perhaps a blood offering would be in play and was contemplating 'persuading' his companion of being the sacrificial lamb. Armored fingertips twinkled downwards to the hilt of his small dagger in case Sah'ra was less than enthusiastic about providing the donation. It was ironic that the other Sith was also thinking similar; after all, none should be surprised, as both Champions were true to their dark sided origins.

Valentine did not pick up a disturbance in the force as quickly as Sah'ra did, but was fast to react upon her words. He chuckled lightly before moving several paces to her right. "I'm afraid you left Drexus outside at the door my love, it is only I at your side in here.." He said, his white armored robes bashing freely with each of his steps, a sinister smile creeping towards his lips as he stood approximately five meters away from his companion. Eyes slowly curling with dark sided corruption as they glanced and narrowed their focus into the corridor from where they arrived.

"But yes, we do...I can smell the stench of their light from here...blinding to say the least.". He said, right hand grasping the hilt of his crimson lightsaber but not yet igniting it. He tilted his torso in an angular manner behind a large pillar, peering out of cover only intermittently. It was a strategic placement, as it afforded him an element of surprise; should two enemies enter into the chamber, Valentine would not be immediately visible.

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Tulos

 

[Ezra Thorne]

It wasn’t like the guests in question were exactly quiet.

“How was I supposed to know you can only do meat snacks?” Ezra’s voice resounded down the corridor as he complained to his Padawan companion, who was a Firrerreo. The two were tasked with investigating old sites to recover artifacts. At some point, the Knight that was in charge got pulled away for some emergency. Naturally the two padawans decided to go investigate anyway. Somewhere along the way they got lost and now Auryn was hungry.

The part Sephi was wandering down the corridor munching on his chips when he abruptly stopped, likely causing Auryn to run into him. He squinted as he gazed ahead, “I’m either seeing things, or there’s a creepy middle aged chick just staring at us from the end of the hall,” Ezra said uncomfortably. First order of business, he wiped off his fingers and put the chips away. Can’t really be fighting Sith with Sworito fingers. His hands hovered near the saberhilt on his hip.

“Uh hello?” Ezra called out, hoping against hope it wasn’t a Sith.

Truth be told, this planet made him uneasy. It pulsed with the Force in a way he didn’t recognize, but there was something alluring and familiar about it. There was always something deep inside of him that craved to use the Force in a different way, a way that wasn’t permitted by Jedi. He had it for as long as he could remember and nobody could explain why. He thought of all the visions he had where he had yellow eyes or where he saw a cold, red visor. He never understood what it all meant. Something about this planet and the odd sense of familiarity made him uncomfortable.

@Mr. Teatime @Tulos @Faded

 

[Auryn Angharad]

Trudging along just behind Ezra with hands shoved in pockets, Auryn frowned slightly. "What, th'fangs and eatin' habits didn't give it away?" he ribbed good-naturedly if somewhat grumpily. The Firrerreo chewed away at some extra-hot spicy cinnamon gum. Closest thing he had to a snack on him; he couldn't really do chips. Golden eyes with pupils partly narrowed to slits glanced around with general irritability.

He didn't notice Ezra stop in time and collided against the taller Padawan's back. The Firrerreon didn't bounce off, heavier than his looks suggested, and instead just grumbled some more and sort of shuffled sideways to look around the part-Sephi. Auryn scowled. "Nope, that's def what that is." While Ezra fixed his greasy potato chip fingers, Auryn's hands left his pockets, one running through his hair and the other settling by the lightsaber on his belt, moving himself over to Ezra's right.

As both Padawans settled in place, Auryn increasingly didn't like this creepy ass place. The general vibe of the world and buildings they walked through rose hackles and tensed his jaw, only alleviated in any way by chewing his gum. He'd had few experiences with Dark people and places, and for good reason, handicapped in a sense by his kind's infamous temperament under stress. Didn't help that he was hungry, either. It really didn't, nostrils flaring subconsciously.

The strange lighting in the chamber coupled with his Firrerreon eyesight made the creepy middle-aged woman in question look especially pale, like a walking corpse with extra thick eyeliner. Out of the corner of his eye, he could've sworn he saw a weird blank-faced statue by one of the pillars, but when he actually looked it wasn't there. Creeeeepy. Shivers ran down his spine. He let Ezra handle the talking part since he spoke up first, just standing nearby as a supportive presence. Neither of them was alone in here.

Besides, maybe it was just an aging, gothic archaeologist and not a Sith? Maybe she knew the way out and also had nerf jerky. Auryn could hope.

@Sreeya @Tulos @Faded

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As Sah’ra observed the corridor, voices bouncing off the walls echoed into the chamber she and Valentine occupied. The banter between the younger boys was slightly amusing but as they approached, she could only make out a single muscular form in the shadows. For a brief moment, she wondered if this was some sort of jest. A madman speaking to himself. That is until the form came to a sudden stop, the scuffle of body hitting body and then a noticeably smaller man stepping out from behind. Making out their physical details was difficult from such a distance beyond their general shape but as hands descended to cylinders of steel on their belts, it was clear that these weren’t just ordinary folk. ‘Ordinary’ people didn’t risk their lives or their sanity to traverse tombs of ancient Sith, after all.

As Ezra called out down the corridor, Sah’ra was careful to not offer any indication of Valentine’s position behind the pillar he had elected to hide behind. Instead, she maintained her attention on both of these young men, her fingers interlocked at her waist. She could feel the weight of her sabers tucked away into her robes on each hip but made no move to reveal or draw her weapons.

”Now this is a surprise,” Sah’ra called out, tilting her head to the right slightly as she spoke in a honeyed tone. ”Not many would challenge entering such a place as this. A pair of brave men, you two must be,” She could sense their displeasure, their unease, in being in the darkened tomb. Something beyond that even, though she couldn’t be quite so sure. Perhaps these two Padawans could provide opportunity for her companion and herself, Sah’ra opting to save violence for a later, secondary resort. ”Did the whispers of treasure bring you here as well?”

@Faded @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime​

 

[Valentine Veila]

.

Valentine chose to keep himself hidden for the time being. Perhaps one of the duo had caught a glimpse of him prior to his concealment behind the pillar but for now he went with the assumption that his position was not given away. Keeping his force signature low, he attempted to remain undetectable, at least until he saw how things would play out. Eyes kept fixated on his companion Sah'ra, admiring the Sith's careful tacts to not give away his location.

A small smirk came across his face, mused at her choice of words to address their guests. Valentine wondered if they were here to capture the relics or were they here on some bounty to collect Sith heads as trophies. WIth the constant flux of things in the galaxy, Valentine wouldn't be surprised by any motive that would draw adventurers to the monument. Fingers of his right hand kept a hold over his lightsaber hilt but yet the weapon remained unignited. HIs attention kept to Sah'ra, patiently waiting to see if his ally would require his assistance.

Valentine had forgotten to pack lunch, and the smell of Ezra's chips began to agitate restless acids in his own belly. Oh dear, he thought to himself, he sure hoped that the part-Sephi packed another bag of snacks.

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Tulos

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra sighed as Auryn casually shuffled back to signal it was up to him to do all the talking.

Ezra’s sensitive ears heard what sounded like someone's stomach growling. Initially he was going to glare at Auryn, but it came from the direction of the woman. He couldn’t exactly pin that it was coming from another guy just creeping behind a pillar, so he guessed that the woman was also in need of a snack. The honeyed way she spoke implied that he and Auryn were the potential snacks in question. His gaze flicked up and down. She was probably old enough to be his mother.

“We’re just exploring,” Ezra responded, relaxing his pose. He glanced around himself, taking notice of his surroundings, “What kind of treasures are we talking?” He asked curiously. It was impossible to tell whether he was feigning ignorance or genuinely as clueless as he appeared. He looked from her to the door and then back to her.

“Either you're doing your best potted plant impression or you're stuck."

@Mr. Teatime @Tulos @Faded

 

[Auryn Angharad]

Auryn's hands dropped to casually rest with thumbs hooked along his belt, posture relaxed and aloof, if still kinda grumpy. The ruins were foreboding to be sure, what with the wacky blue flames and general ominous-ness, but at least it didn't smell like the gross mix of flowers and motor lubricant that constantly floated around the Ithor temple. Here it just kinda smelled like dust and depression.

His expression didn't change in response to the lady's friendly tone, although his chin did raise slightly. "Challenge? S'just empty hallways," Auryn stated with a level of certainly usually derived from ignorance or idiocy. Ezra mentioned being stuck and Auryn squinted past the mysterious lady at the giant stone door. He glanced at the part Sephi.

"Plants don't grow here, man," Auryn said flatly. Whether he was making a joke or just comically missing the point wasn't clear. Looking back at the woman and the door beyond her, he blew a small bubble with his gum, popped it, and resumed chewing. Judging from their surroundings, he suspected any 'treasure' was an ancient variety of emo poetry.

@Sreeya @Tulos @Faded

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

”If one were to define ‘treasure’, the explanation would be dependent on what each individual craves, would it not?” Sah’ra replied sweetly, straightening her neck as she addressed the man she did not yet know to be Ezra Thorne. Still, as she peered through the shadows and darkness, features began to become somewhat recognizable upon them both and while she could not put her finger on it, the larger man of the two seemed… vaguely familiar. ”If you believe these halls to simply be empty, then you’re either very fortunate or foolish. Tell me, which is it?” she replied to Auryn still smiling with a gentle tone though if he interpreted her words as condescending, he wouldn’t be incorrect.

”In the ancient crypts of Ziost, you can never be sure what you’ll find. Weapons, tomes, hordes of gemstones and wealth. Anything, really,” she continued, turning back to face the sealed doorway behind her. She was confident these young men would not simply attack her unprovoked and even if they did, Valentine still remained behind his pillar. The comment about the potted plant wasn’t entirely correct but he also wasn’t mistaken. Perhaps she could unseal the door with her own blood. Perhaps Valentine’s would be more suited. Perhaps not. The circumstances presented a multitude of options, however, so for now she would play her games. Yet as Auryn made his statement of how ‘plants won’t grow here, man’ partnered with the insufferable sound of popping bubble gum, Sah’ra winced and decided she’d favor utilizing the Firrereo’s life essence first and foremost if the opportunity presented itself.

”Personally, I value knowledge above all else,” Sah’ra continued, whisking herself back around to face the newcomers once more. ”I have a theory about how to unseal the next chamber but…” her words trailed off as she offered them both a somber expression. ”I’m not entirely sure it would work. Not alone, at least. Perhaps we could assist each other? What lay beyond could well be split amongst us. If you’re willing, of course?”

@Faded @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime

Spoiler

It was brought to my attention that both Ezra and Auryn's lightsabers are not currently visible. Going ahead, Sah'ra never spotted them in the previous post. My bad.

 

[Valentine Veila]

.

Valentine wasn't really sure what to make of the situation. He assumed that perhaps the two guests that arrived were competitors or rivals; enemies or other Sith who wanted to claim the treasures within this temple. Irrespective of their alignment, he was certain that there would be no amicable sharing between the two parties involved. He lofted a brow at Sah'ra's premised question. Did she really think the two newcomers would be open to an arrangement; even if so, he wasn't sure how much he liked the idea.

No one was to be trusted, and the human Champion remained confused for a few moments before trying to get his partner's attention. Obviously verbage would give away his position, so instead he attempted to make hand gestures and mouth expressions to his ally. Hopefully, she understood.

"What the fuck? Let's just kill them and move on."

That was the gist of his body language towards Sah'ra. Valentine sure hoped she didn't mistaken it for something else...

[OOC: Sorry for short post, kinda busy with things and Valentine isn't really that involved in this thread just yet]

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Tulos

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra couldn’t tell whether Auryn was attempting a joke or really that dense. He guessed the latter, which made him a bit nervous about his prospects with this spooky old lady. Ezra didn’t answer her question about foolish or fortunate mainly because he half expected Auryn to blurt out some dumb commentary that pointed to the former.

“Got it,” He said, “You’re stuck,” Ezra said flatly. He took a few steps forward to see about opening the door, casting a sideways glance to spot the other guy hiding behind a column. Ezra jumped back instinctively, glaring at the dude, “What the fuck are you playing at?” He looked from the guy to the woman, stepping back to keep distance again. Ezra scowled at the woman, “Who are you two and what are you doing here exactly? No riddles.”

It was at that moment that Valentine was hit with severe stomach issues. We're talking needing to find a bathroom stat.

@Tulos @Faded @Mr. Teatime

 

[Auryn Angharad]

Auryn fixed the spooky lady with a flat look that dripped sardonic boredom. His gum popped again. "Can't you tell by lookin'?" was his unhelpful reply, eyebrows raising slightly. The Firrerreon could feel himself growing grumpier as the talking went in meandering circles and no snacks materialized out of thin air.

As Ezra walked forward Auryn trudged along after him, heard an ominous gurgling from behind the pillar, and made direct eye-to-mask contact with what he'd initially thought was a weird statue. It was actually a creepy man who, judging from the gurgling, was desperately signing for a bathroom. Auryn slid back again, stiffening up straight.

"Think riddle's generous," he grumbled quietly, lips curling upward toward a snarl that he actively fought back down. Auryn stopped chewing his gum, eyes narrowing at the two figures. Firrerreons could see just fine in dark and poorly-lit places, and maybe it was a trick of the light, but he thought he'd seen the glint of metal in the formerly hidden man's hand amidst the hand flailing and Super Space Rangers-like head bobbing.

@Sreeya @Tulos @Faded

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

The tumultuous sounds that began to come from Valentine were hard to ignore as the pair of newcomers entered the chamber more fully, a sound only slightly less irritating than the popping of bubblegum. Sah’ra had told him that the bantha milk during their travels looked spoiled but her words had not been heeded. Perhaps in the future, he’d reconsider dairy that wasn’t stored properly. Or perhaps not, it mattered to her little. Little, other than the fact that it had not only spoiled his guts but it had alerted these two young men to his presence, eliminating a potential ace in the sleeve. While she wanted to lash out, Sah’ra believed that such a reaction was ill-advised and brash, likely only further driving a wedge in the fragile encounter.

”I apologize for my friend here,” Sah’ra began with a sincere expression. ”He’s shy around strangers, I’m afraid. We thought that an expedition such as this would offer him the privacy he prefers,” she continued, hoping to salvage whatever she could from this meeting. Perhaps this encounter may well end with death but Sah’ra was always one to weigh the options and potential outcomes before resorting to violence. Whether or not Valentine was a man of similar takes was unknown to her. He had followed suit this long but only he knew how long his patience would last.

”My name is Sah’ra,” she would offer a slight bow of her neck in unison, a questioning glance as to suggest she wished to know their names. ”While we are here for a purpose, what is beyond this door, you claim to simply be here to explore. If you are uninterested, you’re welcome to turn around and leave. We would not wish to keep you here against your will,” she finished, lips forming into a sweet smile though a sly tint could potentially be made out in her eye.

@Faded @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime​

 

[Valentine Veila]

.

Valentine was waiting on her response when he felt something brew inside his intestines. "Oh crap.." perhaps it would have been wise to heed Sah'ra's warnings regarding the Bantha milk from earlier. But he was just so thirsty and it smelled ok to him, guess his decision was poorly made. An urge of acidic uneasiness rose towards his chest and to the bottom of his throat. Valentine placed his lightsaber hilt back into its holster and grasped his belly with a tightened right handed grip.

"Excuse me.." He lofted, suddenly side stepping from the pillar so that he was completely in view and then knelt beside a large stone wall. Slightly lifting his mask upwards, he proceeded to vomit a large amount of bilious fluid onto the floor edge. The acidic stench was powerful and radiated explosively into the air surrounding him; no matter how far the other three stood from him, it was likely they could sense its smell.

Valentine continued to vomit for a few more minutes until the stream grew clear in color and the hoarseness of his throat overcome the initial discomfort. He remained knelt for a few seconds longer before gurgling his mouth with water from his canteen and spitting it onto the ground near his feet. Valentine hadn't paid much attention to Sah'ra's dialogue as he was preoccupied with his own issues, but playing along the courtesy card he looked towards both Ezra and Auryn, giving them a friendly bow in greetings.

"My apologies, seems something I drank earlier didn't agree with me. I am Valentine, pleasure to be acquainted....Wow...you're pretty tall..."

He said, gesturing with his chin towards Ezra. Naturally, being a short man himself, Valentine could be appreciative of those born with better height genetics.

@Tulos @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Grandma’s speech was drowned out quite literally by the pure acid that spewed out of the guy next to her. Thankfully, Ezra jumped back far enough to begin with to avoid the splash radius. The same couldn’t be said for Sah’ra who would probably get some of it on her. Ezra covered his nose, glaring at the man as he feebly introduced himself and remarked on his height with admiration in between hurling. It smelled like spoiled milk and corpses and Ezra was having a hard time keeping his own stomach in check.

“Lady, open that fucking door,” He barked at the woman with a sense of urgency. He could feel it coming. That sensation of the hair on the back of his neck rising. The stench hitting his nostrils. That sour taste in his mouth.

It was too late.

Ezra turned and hurled as well, his own vomit hitting the floor as he couldn’t control himself. As a rich boy used to luxuries all his life, he didn’t often come across horrific smells or people blowing chunks right in front of him. All thoughts of mystery and treasures were temporarily forgotten as his bright puke hit the ground thanks to his neon colored chips.

Ezra wiped off his mouth and promptly popped in a breath mint, filing this away as the most bizarre first encounter he ever had with anyone. He could only hope the woman at least kept it together enough to get them all in the next room and away from the smell.

Valentine wasn’t out of the woods yet, his stomach still a disaster. Combat would be out of the question for a bit unless he wanted to risk shitting himself.

Dice: 2/20 Ez is a sympathy puker

@Faded @Tulos @Mr. Teatime

 

[Auryn Angharad]

Auryn slid backward away from the masked man's puking mess, expression curling into what looked vaguely like a snarl as the ripe stench of half-digested spoiled milk, stomach acid, and rot blasted through the air. His left arm came up to cover his nose, trying to block out the wholly unpleasant smells. He met some success before Ezra joined in the puking party, some rainbow-colored sludge splashing on his left boot. He wretched pointlessly- his stomach was empty- then tried to clear his throat as he got to scraping the vomit off on an ancient and semi-unique stone fixture.

"Fuck didja drink, the septic tank special?" he shot at the masked vomit factory, whose guts were still audibly gurgling with unfortunate potential. Auryn took a solid step further away from them and Ezra. Auryn didn't really feel hungry anymore, but that did nothing for his mood.

It was unclear whether or not he'd heard the introductions amidst all the wet splashing sounds echoing throughout the chamber Auryn now dubbed the 'vomitorium', but he didn't reply in any helpful way. Instead, he gestured impatiently at the sealed door Ezra'd insisted Sah'ra get to opening and pretended not to notice Valentine's holstered lightsaber hilt. "C'mon, how complicated could a door be?" His tone implied he didn't believe it could be complicated whatsoever.

Dice: 8/20

@Sreeya @Tulos @Faded

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

To say that Sah’ra was prepared for her partner to spew chunks of spoiled bantha milk and bile across the chamber would be a lie. Certainly she knew he’d face repercussions from his dietary choices but she didn’t expect them to occur in such a spectacular manner. As Valentine dipped his head behind the half wall to empty his guts, Sah’ra was not so fortunate as to be out of the line of fire. While she was far enough away to avoid the brunt of the volatile eruption, chunks splattered their way across the stone floor and onto the hem of the dark robes she had donned for this expedition and the smell was well beyond vile. Quickly she shook the cloak from her shoulders, dropping it to the dusty floor as she put distance between her and the pool of puke.

”Urp-” she began, her hand pulling to her face to try and shield herself from the smell. Gagging ensued as she attempted to block out the scent and scene but it was useless. The tainted air even began to cross the threshold of her lips and settled on her tongue, no doubt due to her closer proximity to Valentine, and she knew she had little choice but to act here and now if she were to spare herself from the rancid aroma.

”Don’t blame me for what waits for us on the other side then” she replied to Ezra as she stepped further from her partner whilst drawing one of the throwing blades from the pouch on her belt. She didn’t want to simply rush into delving deeper into a sith tomb but given their current circumstances, they needed to move lest they find themselves knee deep in spoiled bantha milk and bile.

Standing above the bowl set upon a pedestal before the door, Sah’ra placed the sharpened edge of the blade against the palm of her left hand and pulled, opening a wound and allowing blood to spill outward as it collected below. It was as though the tomb had been waiting eagerly for its offering as the sound of stone dragging across stone could be heard within the walls. The door they had been waiting on slowly slid open, but so too did the ceiling above begin to descend as the door behind them slammed shut.

”Run!!” Sah’ra barked as she tended to the wound on her palm, hurrying towards the newly opened path. Beyond the now unsealed passage, she had expected to see a sarcophagus or something of the like but instead was met with only another corridor, blue flames in torches dimly lighting the way. Where she had hoped the burial chamber was on the verge of discovery, it seemed there was still some way to go. Only the ancients knew what awaited this ragtag group of explorers.

@Faded @Sreeya @Mr. Teatime​

 

[Valentine Veila]

.

Valentine took a step backwards as Ezra joined him on the puking fun, a little surprised to see that the stench from his own vomitus has induced it in another. He remembered seeing a show one time on television, "Space Office" where a character brought raw eggs into the cubicles only to be met with vomiting by all his co-workers. For the longest time, Valentine thought that was just a rumor until he saw it happen before his own eyes.

Shrugging towards Auryn's question, "Just some Bacta milk I think..." He wasn't entirely sure what he had consumed that had such a strong reaction; typically he took pride in his strong stomach, he often ate food that even dropped onto the ground, perhaps though, Valentine would revisit those thoughts. Taking a few steps towards the group, he was immediately startled as Sah'ra yelled "Run" to them all. Still a bit dazed from his illness, he hadn't been paying full attention to what his companion was doing, unaware that she had activated the monument.

Shrieking from the startle response, he yelled, "Wait for me!", his lithe steps launching him forwards as his white robed frame moved steadily behind the others. Through corner of his eyes, Valentine caught notice of the ceiling crashing down upon them, making it into the next corridor with only a few moments to spare.

"Close one huh?" He motioned towards Ezra, wondering if the Jedi had made it through in one piece. Once again, not paying attention to his surroundings, Valentine stepped down onto a seemingly normal floor, only to activate a trap tile that released a sprung noise. "What the fuck?" He asked out loud, catching a sliver of gleaming metal through his periphery, he instinctively ducked downwards to avoid the object.

It was a Guillotine blade, sliding from one edge of the corridor to the other. "LOOK OUT!" Valentine roared, hoping that the others had enough time to avoid being beheaded...

@Sreeya @Mr. Teatime @Tulos

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra stared blankly as the woman took out a dagger and sliced her hand. His fathers had talked of places like this - where some weird ritual had to be completed in order to enter. He stood there staring for a moment, nodding sagely, and promptly turned to leave in the opposite direction. He was close to puking again, his hand over his mouth. To his horror, the way back was shut. Ezra shoved Auryn, “What did you do?” He hissed. The Firrerreo was the last one inside!

Beyond furious, Ezra had no choice but to follow the group. The lady was creepy enough and the nasty guy from earlier caught up with them. Ezra kept his distance, shooting a glare at the guy as he addressed him. He was about to give a curt reply when the guy gave out a warning. Ezra thought the warning was for another wave of vomit, but instead it was a giant blade that abruptly darted out. He just barely managed to duck back, the blade slicing through the front of his shirt and leaving a thin cut along his chest.

His leap back sent him stumbling into Sahra who was standing behind him. Ezra quickly peeled himself off her, suddenly nervous to take another step. He tried to study the ground or look for any grooves and patterns.

“I think this entire corridor is booby trapped,” Ezra observed, “There has to be a way to trigger the traps without us walking through them..” He muttered, though he kept his eyes on the two strangers. He was wary of them attempting to push him forward.

@Tulos @Mr. Teatime @Faded

 

[Auryn Angharad]

AMBIANCE​

His nostrils flared briefly at the smell of fresh blood, pupils slightly narrowing, lips curling toward a snarl for a moment. Auryn wanted no part in that whatsoever and began, like Ezra, to stride right back out. Then the ceiling started trying to turn into the new floor and he was being shoved in the direction very opposite of what he wanted. "Whuh-?"

And now they were stuck with these people. Auryn peevishly kicked the sealed door and turned to look at the rest of this Force-forsaken new hallway when there was a grinding of metal on stone and a barked warning. He crouched down, a blade whistling just above his head and taking a lock of golden hair along with it. Auryn's brand-new frown was impressive and exceptionally unhappy.

The Firrerreon stayed in a corner of the room by the sealed door, keeping an eye on everyone else. He chewed energetically at his gum, squinting suspiciously down at the depressed floor tile and the blade groove in the wall. Then he stared at a lovingly carved relief on the wall halfway down the hall, complete with twisting serpents and ancient warriors and all that sort of stuff. "Stay where y'are a sec."

Auryn took a heavy torch/sconce thing off the wall and chucked it at the floor down the hallway. A chorus of thwit sounds and clattering echoed as the wall art launched little darts into the opposite wall at a height clearly meant to catch people staying low after the blade.

"What is this, Wayfinder?" A fairly popular tabletop RPG, of course. "Bet the next one's from the ceiling." Although he was still speaking casually, a tightness in his features and the tense gum-chewing pretty much gave away that he was stressed.

@Sreeya @Tulos @Faded