The Sound of the Storm

[Darth Kravos]

It wasn't Darth Kravos's first time here on Kashyyyk and the last time didn't have the fondest memories. But those unpleasant memories were in the past and a million things had changed since then.

His shuttle set down on the landing pad high up within the trees. He had been on this same pad once before, but this time he hadn't come alone. He turned to Master Aeron. He had worked with her on Tatooine and had been impressed with her. She was moving up fast and he could already feel her power growing. There was no doubt within his mind that she would someday rise within the Order, and he wondered how long it would take her. The word "apprentice" had danced through his mind, but he was akin to an ent when it came to decision making. Nothing was acted upon until all the intel was gathered and it was considered from every angle.

He specifically refrained from asking her if she was ready as memories of Andraste's teasing came to mind. Instead, he simply moved down the shuttle's exit ramp, slipping his helmet on before he reached the bottom. He'd left behind any long robes and instead opted for boots and shorter robes over his armor that were more useful in the potentially muddy terrain of Kashyyyk.

I've been here before. I helped one of the local tribes with a "problem," he explained to the Sith Master, trying to think of how to explain the short version of this story. They passed on advice about asking the Sith for help with a local area of the jungle that's haunted. I want to continue building positive relationships with the new tribe, he told her. It was clear he was hoping for some positive relationships to be built with numerous local tribes and hopefully spread influence throughout the world. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

The forest planet of Kashyyyk was a new one for Nayeli. She had heard so much about the place and the terrifying local Wookiees. The Togruta woman had met a few of their kind and was not urgent to make a whole tribe of them angry. These people were a force she wanted to push an alliance with rather than conquer. It seemed even Darth Kravos himself had a similar mindset. She was always happy to do more with the Dark Lord of the Sith. There was something to be said about friends in high places. Plus there was something nice about a man with power. Too bad the Empress took all the top ones for herself. Nayeli wouldn't dare say that though and hardly wanted to think it too loudly near someone so powerful in the force. It was easy enough to redirect her focus though when the hunk began speaking of why they had come to this planet in the first place.

"Did you say haunted?" She ignored the rest of what he said to focus on that bit. "You bring me on the weirdest trips."

She allowed herself to laugh at the last bit. Nayeli recalled every time she met the Dark Lord of the Sith. It was true that they often were together under the weirdest of circumstances. Her gut clenched as she thought of how weak she had been the first time. Strength and power had come her way since then. The weak little girl was stomped out. The Sith Master Nayeli was better. So she told herself. Nayeli now would wield two lightsabers in combat, had bled her purple lightsaber into a red blade of the Sith, and tattooed her body to be more like that of the Sith themselves. No one could tell her she was just a little Jedi girl now.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

She had a point regarding him dragging her to the strangest places. That was rule one to running missions with Kravos: you were going to go to weird, creepy, dangerous places. Even Andraste hadn't escaped the numerous abomination-infected holes in the galaxy that Kravos traveled to. But she was busy these days and having the Dark Lord and the Empress running missions like these wasn't the smartest idea.

So Nayeli had been "fortunate" enough to be picked to accompany him on this one. She would either start growing to enjoy these shady missions or she would start really hate spending time with him. They're the missions that are the most unorthodox, he agreed. The fact was that if it was run of the mill, he probably wouldn't have been here personally, but even he got absolutely sick of being couped up behind a desk. He still needed to be out on the battlefield every once in a while. Keep your skills sharp, he told himself.

Don't be surprised if this is the same type of job as the last one, he said. Yes, he thought there would be more monsters here today. If it was anything like his last trip to Kashyyyk there would be a family of Dark Siders who were creating psuedo-abominations out of the local wildlife. What could go wrong?

As he made his way across the landing platform, he noticed the first drips of rain coming down, streaking across his visor. Wookiees appeared at the other end of the platform and Kravos's mind instinctively ran to his saber hilt hidden on his belt. With any luck it wouldn't be needed, but it never hurt to be prepared.

He approached the largest who carried a massive bowcaster slung over his shoulder. He gave the faintest nod as the Wookiee began to growl at them. The protocol droid they had brought with them began to quickly translate.

The Chief thanks you for returning. He and his people are most distressed by what is occurring. Their tribe members are disappearing into the jungle and either never return or come back having lost their minds, the droid said. They call that area "the paths of the dead."

That's not at all foreboding, Kravos said to himself. Very cliche, but as with before, if a Wookiee was scared to go there, there was something to be said for it. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

Rain drops nipped at Nayeli's headtails and rolled down until a steady drip began to flow from the tips. She always found rain to be a bit annoying, but she wouldn't let it show here in front of Darth Kravos. It was a bit discomforting to see someone she considered to be the most powerful in the Galaxy acting jumpy. This was likely another case of the Togruta woman being tossed into a situation just to see if she survived it. Part of her wondered if the Sith Lord liked her, or just considered her an eager partner for testing weird stuff on. Nayeli felt eager to please nonetheless, because she liked him despite whatever opinions there may be towards herself.

As the pair reached their Wookiee contacts and the translator spoke, things did not really seem better. Losing one's mind or dying were the most likely outcomes it seemed. The Togruta Sith Master glanced to Darth Kravos before giving a respectful bow to the Wookiees. She could respect a group of large creatures with giant weapons. Her ears twitched at the man speaking to himself about it being foreboding. It was hard to disagree. Nayeli was hopeful in their victory but feared the paths of the dead as well. She was not ready to die yet.

"We will handle it from here." She said to the chief, figuring the big guy understood basic.

A lift nearby was operated by an armored Wookiee guard and the pair would be directed their next. The pulley system was primitive but effective when a powerful Wookiee was the one doing the work. Nayeli and Darth Kravos sank deeper and deeper into the forest with each passing moment. Between the rain and the tree cover, it was becoming dark. Soil kicked up as the lift settled into the ground level and the Togruta woman stepped forward. It was becoming muddy already and they had not reached their destination. A muffled roar came from their lift guide who motioned directions from here. Of course he was too afraid to come with them. An amused smile came to Nayeli as she realized this fear of the Wookiee. It was an interesting look for someone so massive.

"Any idea what could be down here?" She asked the Sith Lord quietly as she stared into the dimly lit horizon.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Darth Kravos boarded the elevator down and had a whole host of memories return. The last time he had been here, it had nearly been the death of him and he suspected this would be quite similar. Their Wookiee guide let them down and within short order they were at the bottom of the shadowlands once more. There was no telling what type of creature they might face down here, and he knew there was more to fear down here than just whatever the Wookiees were afraid of.

He didn't flinch, though, as he dismounted and his boots sunk ever so slightly into the mud and underbrush. The world was much darker down here and so little light from the surface actually managed to make it to the jungle floor. He glanced over as Nayeli asked him what might be down here.

As much as it gave him an opportunity to be dramatic, he decided against it. Last time I was here, a family of Dark Siders were creating psuedo-abominations using the already dangerous creatures of the shadowlands, he said. The mission had nothing particularly classified about it, and now that Cregan was no longer a Jedi, there was no reason to hide anything about it at all.

It could be something similar or a thousand other possibilities, he said. Local animals were unlikely, as the Wookiees wouldn't have been phased by that, but now that he was here, the Dark Lord could sense a dark presence. Something stronger, more ancient, and more powerful than he had felt in a long time. He wasn't sure it was human itself or something else entirely. Can you sense it? he asked.

They needed to keep moving so he began to step through the darkness and the bushes. The jungle seemed to cling to them and block their path, but he pushed his way through until he found a path that led them down to a small stream. Water ran through and the path looked more well used. Small sections had been cut and cleaved along the bank. They must be this way, he said, motioning along the stream. It was no doubt the path they would have to take to find their missing - or dead - Wookiees. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

A sense of dread momentarily overcame Nayeli as she too sensed whatever was down in this dark place. The Dark Lord of the Sith really did nothing to make her feel better about this situation. Once more her mind drifted to what would happen if she died in the dark forests of Kashyyyk. Nonetheless, the Togruta Sith Master began to walk along the stream towards what was inevitably going to be a bad day. Her lightsabers felt heavy on her belt as she desired to draw them, but it wasn't time. Fear felt weak on her and she wanted to use it, but so far there was no target for her rage. The quiet forest was taunting her with this feeling.

Nayeli glanced once more to her partner. He was powerful and handsome. She could stand a little taller knowing he was at her side. It didn't eliminate her fears but it certainly was better than being down here alone or with someone weaker. The Togruta's imagination was running wild with images of abominations, dark mages, and more. Whatever was down here was strong and would take more than what she had to topple. Darth Kravos would hopefully be that difference or Nayeli could not imagine being victorious. It was a battle within to keep her mind off death. A battle she was losing as they approached their target.

"There..." She nearly whispered as she motioned to something in the stream. "We found one of the missing Wookiees... or what's left."

A shudder went down Nayeli's spine as she looked at the half submerged body, ripped apart by something unknown. It looked like it had been there a while too. At least they were on the right path. Her mind twisted into thoughts of what could make mince meat out of a Wookiee like that. The force welled up within as she prepared to face whatever was coming, but she was shaken by what she saw next. Corpses hung from all sorts of places. All of them mutilated. It was coming to a head at what looked like a cave made into the trunk of a large tree.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Darth Kravos plodded onward through the forest, becoming more aware of the discomfort of his partner. It was the dark, terror of the forest. He could feel whatever was here beginning to claw at his mind, trying to find a way inside past the mental barricades.

He was about to say something to her when she pointed out the Wookiee. It was mangled halfway beyond recognition and facedown in the water. He walked over to the edge of the stream, bending down and looking over the wounds. Deep claw marks and blood that still looked fresh. He reached out with the Force, flipping the Wookiee over when he saw a weapon at hand. One of the Ryyk blades so common among their warriors.

He reached out and took the blade in his hand, stripping his glove off so he could put skin to the blade. He poured his mind into the weapon itself, recalling the final moments of its owner and what had happened. It was a rare technique and not one he used often anymore, but images began to flash through his mind. Creatures born of the Dark Side with horrid claws and teeth. They looked vaguely humanoid but far more vicious. And it had the power to touch minds, it seemed.

He tossed aside the sword a moment later, noting the lack of blood on it. Whatever is in that cave is powerful. They are powerful, he said, glancing over at Nayeli. The last time he had been here it was with Cregan, and he wondered if the power differential made her uncomfortable. Are you ready? he asked, giving her the opportunity to voice her concerns or pull back in the event that she did not want to go to the cave. He didn't think she would want to leave, but he also wouldn't have been surprised if she had questions or concerns to voice. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

Nayeli considered for a moment that she could simply say no and avoid the cave altogether. A Sith Master like herself had a reputation to keep, so she swallowed her fear for that brief moment. She had to make sure someone with the ability to help elevate her status was impressed with her. Either she failed him by turning around, by dying with him in the cave, dying alone in the cave, or she would come out victorious with a new respect from the Sith Lord that could bring her to new heights. It seemed her best choice was to go into the cave and do her best. The Togruta woman stared ahead into the cave and replied quietly, almost in a whisper.

"Ready." She said, hiding her fear with the firm but quiet statement.

The mud seemed to grab at her feet more as they inched closer to the entrance. A stench of death and decay filled the air while the force rippled with a darkness she both embraced and feared. An ear-piercing yelp and roar came from deep within that stopped Nayeli in her tracks for a moment as she considered what was going on. It seemed like a Wookiee was getting the full treatment inside. The Togruta Sith Master reached out in the force to strengthen her body's reflexes. She wanted to be ready in case they got attacked. No way would she let herself become a mutilated corpse like those Wookiees. She was a Sith Master, not a beast to be slain.

Scrapes along the walls grated at Nayeli's senses. Whatever was in here was sharpening its claws against the wall. She could feel each one as they continued, almost as if in prep of the two Sith arriving. The first step into the cave and she was already starting to regret it. A quick glance to Darth Kravos was all she allowed as an outward portrayal, but she was nervous. Her hands trembled as she summoned the lightsabers to them, not quite igniting them but having them in hand just in case. They would need light as they ventured deeper inside anyways.

"hhhhgggrrrrr!" came a Wookiee's growl from down below just as they entered.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

He could sense the uncertainty in her and he awaited her answer. It was only a matter of time before she answered, and though he thought he knew that answer, there was the moment where he wasn't certain. The moment where he wondered if he'd be on his own for this one.

And then the answer came. He nodded briefly. Good. Let's get to it, then, he said, reaching for his saber hilt now and gripping it loosely in his hand. He could see the cave ahead and knew that within they would face true danger. But then, when wasn't he facing true danger? It seemed like he only went on missions when there were high stakes involved anymore.

The darkness became thicker and he lit his saber blade now, casting a red hue across the walls of the cave. Deep scratches and claw marks could be seen in the stone with splatters of blood interspersed on the walls. Stay aler-- he didn't even get to finish the word when something flinched in the shadows. The Dark Lord stooped low as a claw flung by over his head and he swiped his saber back around to cleave off the arm.

It missed.

It was an impressive feat in and of itself. Kravos was no slouch with a lightsaber and this creature was able to match - or perhaps even outmatch his speed. It didn't bode well. Another lunged at the Sith Master, swiping at her belly with its long claws. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

Hesitations aside, Nayeli tried to harden herself for the upcoming battle. It seemed that right on cue as Darth Kravos told her to stay alert they came under attack. The attack was quick but the paranoid Togruta woman was on top of it. She instinctively activated her crimson red lightsaber and jumped backwards while wildly swinging it forwards. She had nicked the very edge of the claws but gotten little else. At least she was not gutted in a single swipe like she expected. The red glow on the walls only made the creatures more eerie. Nayeli watched as the one who swung at her quickly dove in for another swing, but this time she was more than ready.

"Feth you!" She yelled in anger as she plunged her lightsaber straight into oncoming traffic of claws.

Her duelist armor came in handy now as the claws struck her shoulders in a panic. Her semi-suicidal method had caused the beast to attempt to withdraw, but it couldn't stop the momentum in time. A crimson blade pierced through its entire body with a sickening smell filling up the cave from the burns. Nayeli was glad it worked out, but stayed on high alert. She swung the blade up and out to completely destroy the head of the monster to make sure it stayed down. A glance at her Sith Lord partner showed her distaste as she would have to fix her armor now. Hopefully as they went deeper, they wouldn't have to count on the armor again. She knew Darth Kravos, the handsome Dark Lord, could handle the beast so she stayed out of his way while watching just in case he needed an assist.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos was busy enough with his own beast not to notice Nayeli's issue immediately. His saber slashed around again as the claw went flinging past him again. This time, his left arm reached out and unleashed a blast of energy. While most Sith wouldn't have made too much of an impact with such a quick attack, Kravos was different. The creature was flung bodily backward and into the wall of the cave. He could hear the crunch of bone and stone as a segment of rock was smashed away and some of the bones in the attacker were inevitably broken.

The Dark Lord lunged forward in an instant and plunged his saber through the creature's chest, carving its way up and through its head in one blow. It was quick and then it was over. The two of them were still alive, and that was a good start, but there was no telling what awaited them ahead.

He pushed onward and spotted a large house. It was dilapidated and reminded him of the house he'd seen when he and Cregan had met "the family." It looks as if it was haunted, and he figured at this rate that it probably was. I'd wager that's what is causing our Wookiees so much trouble, he said. As he looked at it, though, the feeling of fingers creeping up the back of his head was noticeable. Something sinister was inside there.

We should route the river into it. Flood out whatever is inside, destroy it, and avoid having to fight anymore of them. Drown them out, he said, looking over at the water that ran through the gorge and just past the house.

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

Nayeli was admittedly a bit shaken by the fight and how strong just two of the beasts were. Darth Handsome suggesting they redirect the stream to drown out the monsters and whatever else made her feel much better. She was quick to smile at him and give a firm nod as she turned around to head to the stream itself. It was a much better and safer method. The fear and near death experiences were making Nayeli start to notice the Sith Lord a bit more. Her stomach was in knots out of more than just fear.

"I like the idea, we can build a little dam." She suggested quietly, trying to hide any of the emotion in her voice.

The force was still easily accessible to Nayeli at the moment, so she began to lift large boulders and fallen chunks of logs into a small damn of the river. Her left hand worked to hold back the water from pressing into her small dam while her right coordinated placing the building blocks themselves. She made a decent dam after no time at all and helped direct the stream towards herself and the home. Once it felt right she let go of the hold she had on the water while stepping out of the way. It wasn't the fastest flow of water but it would hopefully be a nice trap.

She glanced over to Darth Kravos to see if he was helping with the efforts to direct it, but she also just wanted to see his comforting presence. Nayeli knew such a figure couldn't be interested in her. Nor could she hope to steal a husband of the Empress. The Dark Lord himself was a lofty target that would only end in pain. She tried to shake the feelings and focus on the job. There were others who would want her attention. These feelings would pass.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Nayeli was going to have an interesting road ahead of her if she was going to be making a move on the Dark Lord. Mostly because flirting with him was, in some ways, like flirting with a stone wall. At least until you got to know him. Was she smiling at him? Or the fact that she didn't have to fight anymore of those monsters? He squinted slightly behind his mask in curiosity. It was true, they had been working together a lot, and that was no accident. He'd hand picked her for this operation at least.

He watched her begin to move the boulders and raised his own hand, reaching out to the Force and envisioning a barrier digging into the ground and churning up the dirt, carving a path for the water to follow. By the time the two were done, the water was running downward into the house, flooding into the basement. He could hear the creaking of the wood as the water hit it and watched.

And there it was. The enemy they had been looking for. He looked... old and corrupted by the Darkness, but still strong and quick. His skin looked cracked and old, and his claws were long still like the others.

Who enters my domain? he said, with a voice that seemed to echo all around the pair of Sith. It was clear that whoever and whatever this creature was, he was extremely powerful in the Force and extremely dangerous. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

This creepy as all hell thing walks out of the home and booms its question to the Sith. Nayeli glanced to Darth Kravos as if wondering if they bit off too much by disturbing this thing. It looked like the creatures but more... sinister and alive. She wondered if he was making himself children to be his army. Her mind wandered to what the man would even do. Taking over Kashyyyk seemed tough but maybe it was possible. Darkness had corrupted this being into decay. While he was powerful, he was not careful. He would be destroyed by himself if they simply waited it out. The Dark Side was not a tool to be played with by the unworthy. This man was diving too deep, too quickly, and without the proper foundations. Maybe the Sith could have helped him at one point. Now he would die and this would end.

"The true lord of darkness!" She shouted at it, somehow finding her bravery again. "And me."

A snicker escaped from Nayeli as she sort of insulted herself, but she figured it would maybe amuse Darth Kravos. Her blaster pistol, not really considered before now, came to her left hand to replace the lightsaber she clipped to her belt. She fired a single shot aimed for the chest. At this range he would be just hardly taking damage if he even got hit. It was more to be annoying than anything to make him focus on the Togruta Sith Master rather than Kravos himself. A good distraction was hopefully what she would be for him. Both during and after this mission if she was lucky.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Ah, yes, the creature of darkness. Classic. It seemed nefarious and filled with malice. It was ready to kill them at the drop of a hat, but doing so would be more difficult than he hoped. They were not kittens ready to roll over and die.

The saber in Kravos's right hand glowed while the Force gathered and formed into a ball in his left. He was ready for this creature, and it seemed Nayeli was as well.

She pulled a pistol and fired at the creature. Of course, as she had already realized, doing so wouldn't do much, but it got things kicked off, which the Dark Lord appreciated.

The creature was gone though. It darted forward as the blaster shot flew through the air, darting into smoke and quickly appearing in front of Nayeli. Were she still just a Sith Knight, no doubt the claws would have ripped into her belly, but now, her attunement to the Force was greater.

Meanwhile, Kravos pulled at the strings of the Force, slamming down a barrier of invisible energy in an attempt to cut the two off from one another. But he still left a little hole in the center at chest height, leaving Nayeli a place to fire through. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

A claw reached out seemingly instantly as a response to her shot at the creature. Its speed was terrifying. Nayeli shuffled backwards just in time avoid a shameful injury or death while the Dark Lord of the Sith himself threw his own weight into the battle. Darth Kravos stopped the beast from following up with another strike and also trapped an arm into the tiny hole he left. It was perfect for the Togruta Sith Master to hit the temporarily trapped enemy. Her pistol unloaded 3 shots quickly as she slammed the trigger down furiously. The right arm of the beast took most of the hit from blocking her opening. This likely saved the beast from a shameful death as well, much to her dismay. It screamed with the force and it echoed in the Sith duo's minds. The beast retreated back with more smoke to try another angle, appearing closer to Kravos himself this time. Nayeli rushed ahead, igniting her red and green lightsabers to replace the pistol now.

"Watch it!" She shouted, likely needlessly as the injured creature attempted an attack on Darth Kravos.

She closed the gap quickly, being small and agile with the aid of the force. Nayeli would arrive in time to help as long as the first strike didn't kill Kravos. Her lightsabers would rip this thing apart and save the Dark Lord. She wanted to leave a good impression. If this Sith Lord didn't love her or praise her after this, or both, she was not sure what would do it. Someday, the Togruta Sith would toss aside her Jedi roots to fully become a Darth like Kravos. She strove for it, even hungered for the chance to remove the conflict within and fully become a confident Sith Lord herself. This beast was in her way.

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos saw the gunshots rip out and tear into the flesh of the creature, causing it to screech out in anger and pain. The sound was loud and seemed to echo within his ears, causing him to step back for a moment.

It swiped out at the Dark Lord and his saber swung down, clashing at the long claws but failing to cleave through the claws when they were extended. It was a bad sign, but seemed to be the norm for these creepy missions.

He gripped his saber in both hands now, letting the Force boost his movements and the speed of his strike until he was almost a blur. The Sith Master was moving in on the other side and Kravos's blade passed through the airs as the creature dodged his blade but failed to notice hers.

His body was cut cleanly in two and fell to the ground in two pieces. Just like that, it was over. The silence seemed to hang in the air and the only thing has the flesh stopped steaming was the sound of the saber blades humming and hissing. The rain had stopped and the air was still thick with humidity, but it stifled the other sounds of the forest and the running water. It was almost like the entire forest had stopped to watch the fight.

The Dark Lord was breathing more heavily than he expected, and it seemed to echo in his helmet. Good kill, he told her, looking down at the dead body. You're going to get tired of these little excursions sooner or later, he said deadpan but just enough to make her wonder if he was joking. Andraste had eventually learned she didn't like these little insane trips... or at least she claimed as much. Nayeli had done quite well so far and was growing in power every day. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

It took a few moments for Nayeli to believe it was finally over. Water gushed from the creature's cave and home, drowning whatever was left. The big bad itself had met an end to the Sith Master's blazing hot lightsaber blades. She had helped save the Dark Lord of the Sith on a weird mission and that was not something that could go unnoticed. The Togruta woman knew she had her chance to get what she wanted in multiple ways. Darth Kravos gave her praise and said a line she could read easily: he planned to spend more time with her. That was what he really meant underneath his words.

"Or perhaps you will get tired of me first," she said with an amused tone of voice. "I don't think I'd ever tire of being near you, though."

Her eyes scanned the Dark Lord for a response. Nayeli was playing a dangerous game, but reward and powers required risk. Her tattooed body stood tall with confidence after her recent kill and praise from the Sith Lord. A hunger was present within the ex-Jedi. Not one of a force wound or anything unnatural. It was a hunger for more. More power, more fame, more luxury, and more of the handsome Sith Lord in front of her. It was all she focused on in her mind as she hoped he would return the affection.

"What do you have in mind for our next... little excursion?" She dared add to her comments. "A nice diner, a bar, a private quarters?"

@Phoenix

 

[Darth Kravos]

Darth Kravos's eyebrow rose slightly behind his helmet. My, my, this was taking an interesting turn. He chuckled darkly for a moment that was likely enough to send shivers down her spine. There was no doubt he was a dangerous person to play games with. You may not feel the same if you have enough of these monsters, he said. But then she was playing this game with a monster.

You are forward, he stated. He walked directly toward her, saber still glowing in his right hand and looked directly down at her. His face mask betrayed nothing and he didn't say a word. The saber cast a dark red glow across both of them as he stood there, staring down at her. Are you sure that's a wise idea? he asked. It wasn't a threat, but it was a loaded question. She was sticking her toe into a very dangerous pool and not one that she would be able to easily climb out of.

His head tilted to the side as he looked down at her, eyes studying every movement she made. He wanted to see her reaction, and he wasn't going to pretend that this was any less dangerous than it was. It was a warning and a sating of his own curiosity all at once. Not to mention the fact that he didn't trust her. He'd brought her out here and they'd fought side by side, but that didn't mean he could trust her. Trust had never come easy to Kal and even less so to the Dark Lord, but that didn't mean there weren't certain things to be enjoyed. @Cazar

 

[Nayeli Aeron]

A moment of fear and embarrassment passed over the Togruta woman as it became clear what she was doing. Nayeli eyed the Dark Lord of the Sith who approached her, unable to truly read what he thought. His voice did not seem threatening nor did he seem to be attempting to punish the young Master. After a moment, a wicked smirk crossed her face as she looked at Darth Kravos directly. Her eyes had become more yellow by the moment after such an encounter as they bore into him.

"Of course, my Lord." She said with a darker tone than usual. "Just making sure you are aware you can take what you wish... if... you wish."

Nayeli would not back away in fear, nor would she make a fool of herself too much. If the handsome Dark Lord wanted her for the side, it opened doors. The reward was a win-win while the risk was minimal. Danger was not something that Nayeli considered. Without danger, there was no life or luxury. You had to have a little bit of both or you'd have nothing. The Sith Master would back off the forward comment slightly, but not by much.

"I am not the Exile you once knew. The Sith have my full dedication. My power has grown." She gave herself credit she knew she deserved. "A wise idea would be to take me at your side one way or another. Eventually I will find my way up and you know it."

Confidence was not short in supply for the woman lately. She only could hope the Sith Lord respected that rather than saw her as a threat. Either way, she would be ready. She would not be a pushover if he decided to try to end her in the shadows of Kashyyyk's trees. Nayeli figured she had earned enough respect for this boldness to at least not kill her.

@Phoenix