Log:Knights of Ren: Knit happens
The Knights of Ren investigate a coven of women with supposed powers and a vast array of ancient tomes.
OOC Date: April 16, 2020
Location: Hllanilerga'aw'pwai, Corellia.
Participants: Iollan Canem, Sebek, Erisi Auslese, Domino Graystorm, Syrus, Malik Ren, Knights of Ren
[Room Desc]
Night time. Hllanilerga'aw'pwai, Corellia.
These are some beautiful arsed seaside cliffs of Corellia, outside of some podunk town called 'Hllanilerga'aw'pwai', or 'Naught out this way'.
The town itself it a mile away from these cliffs which are helpfully outfitted with rocky steps that weave their way down the sharp cliffs to the bottom while the ocean smashes and dashes against the slim beaches down below.
In the distance a large island of stone can be seen in the darkness, reaching high into the sky, a large castle built into the rock itself, spires reaching up, up, torches lit in nearly every window, known to the locals as the Shining Beacon as it serves as an unofficial light house to ships and a means of judging how far one is from land. It also just looks beautiful from afar, stories whirling about at the coven of women who live there, nuns or shamans, a few venturing into town once or twice a month to gather supplies, the woman keeping to themselves mostly.
The waters are bright cerulean with darker waterways of cold water crossing through them, foamy dredgings splash up as the ocean waves smash into the rocky outcroppings, spittle splattering against those who would access those steps.
A natural sea arch creates a natural bridge across the cold ocean waters to a large mid-way down the steps that are etched out in the cliffside, just high enough above those waters at high tide to ensure that animals, individuals, whomever would find themselves crossing over, don't get sucked in by an errant wave. It extends out to that rocky island, a good twenty minute walk out, the winds cutting and cold at this time of night, each crash of the waves below looking like spirits trying to claw their way up the archway columns, swirling angrily below.
The night sky is dark and cloudy, moon peeking out moodily with occasional bursts of bright white that shines down to light the way, the sea-arch otherwise unlit and morose. The sound of the crashing waves is beautiful, sharply accented at times by sudden shrieks that echo out from the island, birds perhaps nesting in the hollow caves that meander up to entry ways beneath the castle proper.
[Erisi]
The Knights of Ren have been assembled to investigate a local coven of women who might be nuns, might be shaman, who live on an island outside the town of Hllanilerga'aw'pwai. Some locals (most) believe they're a coven of witches, and have claim they've even heard the strange accented ladies refer to themselves as such.
Strange screams in the night and other weird activities have led to legends about the group of women, all information Erisi has shared today with her fellow Knights on the ride over, "A tale of secret and ancient tomes with rituals that can bring people back from the dead are why we're here. I've heard about these ladies for a while, my family thinks it's a bunch of woo woo, but the stories circulate enough around the locals that I'm sure there's something to it. And ..if the women are force sensitive .." A look to Malik as the ship comes in for a landing in a clearing not far off from those steps leading to the land bridge, "Might be good for recruitment, or to cull them down if they're a danger to us in any way."
The ship does that usual gentle rocking, the pilot a fun NPC today, Captain Stabucks who announces over the ships intercom that they're clear to leave the ship. The ramp whirrs and extends out, airlock unsealing and unlocking. "Okay, let's go. Captain Starbucks team did a sweep and they say the entry way to the covens home is through a series of tunnels that lead up to the castle proper. They saw mostly birds, so I think we're good, and they don't seem to have a security system that's monitoring the bridge, so lucky us."
Leaving the ship she'll call out, "It's spring this side of the planet, and it's damned cold out here, secure your cloaks or hoods or whatever because the winds /will/ claim them, also ..watch out, a good stiff breeze might pull you over the side." The group will head down those carved out stairs in the cliffside which are thankfully not being buffeted by those mean arsed winds, which means their descent is boring if not accompanied by a beautiful orchestra of the ocean waves crashing and the calls of birds going about their nighttime business.
Physically the sea arch is wide, four meters so, providing plenty of room to stagger as the winds pick up, "Let's try to cross quickly!" Eri calls out behind her as she begins to head across, cloak hugged in tightly around her as she bends forward with the winds which are currently blowing from behind the group, sweeping in down the cliffs to push them forwards.
[Malik Ren]
Darkness, night, and cold. Malik Ren's robes whip around him as he follows Erisi on to the sea-arch that serves as a makeshift bridge, lashed by sea wind and salt spray. The stone-spire castle reaches out ahead, shining rom the light in its windows... lights or fires lit by the coven they're here to investigate. His black and silver mask affords him some protection from the wind and cold, though the elements are ferocious nonetheless. His step is sure, for now, following Erisi in deference for her knowledge of the mission, the supposed coven, and her homeworld.
Mal's vocoder-altered voice is audible over the wind, but only just. "As Erisi stated in the ship, we are here to investigate this supposed 'coven', and what truths may lie under the rumors that abound on this part of Corellia. If we encounter Force users, trained or untrained, they come with us or die here. If we discover artifacts or documents, recover them. Defer to Erisi, she is our subject matter expert, so much as we have one. Watch your steps and watch your mouths."
[Domino]
Domino Frowns and advises with carefully restrained skepticism, "Series of tunnels may /be/ the security system. There are a number of older structures I've heard about that use it to confuse would be infiltrators. Some have some rustic means of unobtrusive warning like a shaft with a still pool above or even natural phenomenon like pooling of noxious gas from seeps that're deadly to near humans." There's a pause at that last bit and she tugs on her helmet <<"Oh, nevermind, there's the catch. Silly me. If I get literally blown away by the winds please honor my memory by mocking me relentlessly.">>
[Iollan Canem]
Life hands out events in balanced equations. On the plus side for today, Iollan is one of the few knights who had opted out of a cloak, stylistically, and even any sort of hood. Though still very much dressed the part, the former detective had seen to it that his regalia was a bit more streamlined than some of the others; a sweeping jacket, complete with a high collar and articulated shoulder armour, compellingly intimating mask in chrome and black; belts and holsters kept minimal. Utilitarian and completley concealing, if still personal.
On the minus side was, even with that, he was nevertheless about two meters of wind-catching stature. Broad shoulders turned in against the clawing weather, he keeps along respectably enough with attention funnelled ahead of them. Though usually the bearer of at least one circumspect comment, for right now he remains quiet. They'll get to that later, surely.
[Sebek]
"Absurd," was the velvety and smug comment from the hooded Falleen, an attitude that forced its way through the discomfort of the weather. Coven of witches? Sebek of the Desert was clearly looking forward to this. Why? Honestly trying to figure out the 'why' behind anything he did was like smacking your head against a webbed cocoon. "Limiting warning and traps and security to natural devices is fat. No. There will be more." Ha ha I know more than you. Ass. Why was he in da hood and not in his armour? He had the rest of the gear, the cassock, the sword, the wookiee fur pelt that accompanied him anywhere where he had to show off. Still, it was less wise, especially for the reptilian who thrived in dry heat. He took in the archway with his left hand, his right characteristically tucked away behind his back for murder purposes.
[Syrus]
"Understood," Syrus says, his floor-length cape whipping around behind him. His shoulders are rolled and he falls in line behind Erisi, his armor smattered with water by the strong sea-breeze. "What are the chances that that they all decide to come willingly?" he asks, visor looking around at the others gathered for the mission.
[Erisi]
Erisi listens to everyone as she hugs her cloak around her, head bent forwards as she watches the stone beneath her feet to keep her footing steady, "I wouldn't put it past anyone to have a million and twenty traps inside. If this was /my/ deal I certainly would." In response to Domino, the winds gusting in sudden bursts, like punches of air walloping into them and around them, a game of chance taking place with who will be the unlucky one to go over.
"These women are very, very secretive and like to keep to themselves s-" SWAT. Like someone suddenly kicked her Eri's feet go flying to the right, her hands untucking and stretching out to her side as she lets out a loud yelp, cloak helping to drag her through the air and down to the ground hard, the fabric pulling her over to the edge with the breeze. Quickly, and by pure luck no doubt, she's able to find a handhold in the old stone, thousands and thousands of foot falls having carved the handy handholds into the stone, woman able to keep herself from going over, "Holy /shavit/, what the cripes ..uhh ?" A shake of her head, hair snapping about in the wind as she carefully gets up and crouches down more, more care taken in her steps as she tries to recover, "Uh ..they ..what was I saying? They .." Her side and hip aches, arm curled in against her chest as she rubs at the muscles of her bicep, continuing onwards, "Uh ..I don't know, no one knows much about them, they've very ..what's the stupid word." Failing to find it she shrugs, squinting, her glasses having flown off, "Isolated? Isolated."
The whole group, those with strong thighs and the two that got hit hardest by the wind, making it over to the other side, a very average sized crevice in the cliffside of the rocky island opening up into the rock proper. Those who are 6ft and taller will have to crouch, or stoop over to enter in. Light illuminates at the end of the dark pathway, the small space opening up into a cavern which is lit by torches, the space glimmering with the flickering of the warmth of the lights. There are two exits, one oblong shaped hole, the other a man-made carved entryway.
[Malik Ren]
Malik Ren is not a large person. He's really more of a small, angry person. But whether it's the stature or the anger keeping him affixed to the sea-arch bridge, he manages not to get swept off. The dramatic fabric does not wind around his legs and trip him, nor does it make him into a hateful little kite, disappearing off into the sky. He does pause to look over at Erisi as she abruptly takes a sideways misadventure that almost dumps her into an unforgiving sea -- but she's alright, she's a professional. She's got this.
Progress continues forward to the crevice, and really, this is where he shines: Caves and submarines. Low ceilings are an alright place for Mal. He follows along the dark pathway toward the light, silver mask bits glinting in the flickering torch light, and then the two exits are before him -- carved entryway, oblong hole.
Here he pauses, head dipped for a moment as he 'reads' the two choices, still for a moment before the mask lifts. "Danger in both directions. This way," a gesture at the oblong entrance, "something lives and breathes and is already aware of us, bored and hungry. That way," he gestures at the carved man-made entrance, "A different sort of danger, not a living thing, perhaps traps."
He pauses, then unclips his saber from his belt and ignites it, heading toward the oblong. "Go as you like. I choose the beast. I'm better with dismemberment than traps, and this way Sebek gets to eat something he shouldn't, no?"
[Domino]
IT's debatable that Domino's actually listening. She keeps her side into the wind but because she's less than a perfectly symmetrical foil for the air to go around she keeps getting spun about. Finally she just gives up that tactic and just pulls herself along with soft determined grunts even as she's pressed against the handholds as she goes. A testimony to the challenge is that she says nary a word. It is REAL when Domino is silent. That said she is paying just enough attention to her foot placement but in true paranoid fashion she's keeping an anxious eye out while she's disadvantaged inch worming along. finally sheltered from the wind and pats herself over checking her weapons, ammo, her slicing bandolier while her gaze notes the exits. She indicates one of the two walkways <<"That one.">> points to the oblong almost in unison <<"Right. Forgot. More than the eyes sees.">> She wonders <<Is it adviseable we have one of the Sensitives walk ahead or should I take point and navigate everyone through potential booby traps and leave the important people to...sense...things?">> IT's unlike dom to volunteer such things and yet she does.
[Iollan Canem]
Every moment, plus and minus. Thankfully, despite the ample sail the wind has to beat against, Iollan stays well on is feet. Heavy boots keep a solid rhythum along the arch, not faltering even as their fearless current leader takes a haphazard trips off into the night sky. The forward moment continues all the way up too the crevice, and suddenly, disparagingly, Iollan is left with a new challenge. After a moment's pause, careful to bend just enough, he beings to file in behind the others, one hand on the wall to his right in some attempt to keep steady.
And it works, right up until he attempts to crane just a little bit, likely to catch a glimpse of where it is they're going. /Thunk./ Durasteel to rock, the sideways leans brings his head squarely to a halt. Whatever cursing it garners stays in the confines of his mask as Lan simply looks down, sighing tightly. A hand goes from the blaster at his side, maintaining positional until there's enough room for him to shoot, or something beyond concuss himself.
[Sebek]
The wind only bothered Sebek when it flipped his hood off his head. Buns of steel. It set his topknot flowing, the jinglejanglejingle of the ornate golden binds ringing through the air (quietly, it had competish) as they smacked together. His countless earrings glowed, bequeathed with a slick sheen by the splashes of water. His eyeliner wasn't even running! Augh, so perf. "Come... friends."
Sebek should never be allowed to say that word ever again.
"It is merely the air trying to kill you. You breathe it, thus it is beneath you. Tarry not, it earns no respect." Wow he must do great when poisoned. Taking the lead from Erisi seeing as she wasn't quite having the best day of it, and smiling at the idea that big dark energy Syrus was getting knocked about, he felt his mood buoyed. His skin changed colour, picking up the yellow-y hues that... usually associated him losing his mind. But he was same-old-same-old. Sebek of the Desert, what are you up to?
As he stooped to progress forward, two roads confronted the party, each with their own merits, and Sebek lamented that he couldn't use poetry to make his decision for him like a lazy bastard. "Indeed, we are beheld," he advised the party in agreement with He Who Leads, gesturing towards, firstly, the carved entry. "Elusive, impenetrable, suspicious." And now, the weird oblong hole, "Hunger, boredom, and yet awareness. A creature, predator? Prey? Prey, for it confronts us!" Uh oh, confronted with the prospect of a bloody battle, the Falleen's blood was heating up. "Our decision is clear!" No, YOUR decision is clear! Shnk! That was the sword coming out of its sheath and pointing towards the oblong. "Towards victory!"
[Syrus]
Edna Mode was right. The heavy winds end up buffeting against his cape and dragging him to the ground and towards the edge of the bridge. Luckily, Syrus has the presence of mind to recover quickly, wrapping his cape around his right arm for the rest of the way. "There are two beings beyond," Syrus says, standing next to Malik and looking down at the man for a moment. His lightsaber hilt is unclipped from his helt and the blade springs forward, the Kiffar waiting on an order.
[Erisi]
TO THE OBLONG ENTRY WAY.
For those who are curious the other direction held two guard droids, one who tells the truth, the other who lies. Only because the the other one is an arsehole who enjoys being contrary for the sake of it, which is why most of those who live here choose to go the other direction. It’s just easier. Though, if they had taken that direction they would have found that the question of the day is ‘Friend or Foe’, and if they had answered ‘Friend’ they would have been allowed through. If they answered foe, then big spiked maces of death would descend upon them along with a cloud of poison to weaken them. But they chose the Oblong direction. Which means they get to meet up with Sausage and Pepper, two very large Good Bois, Koriena, from a very good stock, a phrase needing to be called out ahead of entry into that entryway to put the Good Bois at ease.
No one here has that password, or even knows it exists. If they did they would know it was ‘Sweeties, I’m on my way!’.
Instead as they pass through that taller doorway (still you’re above 6’4” it’s going to be a little uncomfortable height wise), the stone pathway opens up wide, 8 meters across, long worn pathways etched by eons of use by both animal and person.
Each foot fall with no phrase alerts the two big Bois that there are enemies. And what timing. The bird they killed earlier didn’t last long enough. The sound of their paws hitting the cold stone echoes and announces them before they arrive, the far end of the pathway, lit all the way by those torches, brings the very tall Bois into view, teeth bared as they let out snarls and one blood curling howl, moving to bear down on the group hungrily. LOOK! MORE THAN ONE! MORE FUN! Yay!
[Malik Ren]
Malik is, obviously, unaware of any potential passwords involved in being here. It's for the best, because no one in this galaxy or any other ever wants to hear this man say that Sweeties, he's on his way! It wouldn't be right. The mind would recoil in disaster and distress.
The low ceiling is again no problem for him. It must have been a sad day for him, years ago, when he realized he's never going to be 6' tall. But here and now, that's working out alright. He strides confidently into the lair of the big bois, Sausage and Pepper, and reaches out one handed to strike a cruel telekinetic blow to Sausage, flinging the tall Koriena into the nearest wall. He continues to advance, despite that Pepper moves forward still. The red glow of his saber glints off the teeth headed toward them, illuminating nightmares no one wants to see. [Domino] Domino paces to the side to make sure she is not between THAT THING and those behind her, more than eager to give her companions a crack as she discharges a number of shots which zip past the dangerously swift creature <<"Fuck.">> She declares succinctly. Syrus depresses the button on his cylindrical lightsaber and with an electric snap-hiss a crimson red energy beam springs forth!
[Iollan Canem]
Recent memory serving as a razor-sharp guide to action, Iollan elects to remain at the back of the file this time around. Better for his health and likewise the rest of the group's as well. With sudden bursts of sabers flaring around them, he sidesteps enough to maintain eyes on the target, but far from being in the way. Both hands on the newer, heavier blaster he is wielding, the detective attempts to aim for a few beats before: "Who makes passages this fracking small." Cursing something else wordless under his breath, the well over 6 foot menace actually drops all the way to one knee, levelling off his aim before squeezing off a bolt... which goes wide. Great.
[Sebek]
Hounds! Fwing was the sword being swung into its ready position! "BEHOLD!" erupted Sebek, expression wide with glee. He narrowly avoided scraping the ceiling with the weapon, as he was doing with his topknot. And then, with zero aplomb, he CHARGED! Straight at the sausage dog, the blade sinking in deep! The second swing was interrupted by wall, and a hiss of "Infidel!" at said stone, and the third gashed across the beast's hide! Joyous battle! Here comes the laughter!
[Syrus]
"Charming," Syrus says, lifting his blade into a defensive position and watching the approaching Koriena. Noting that Malik seems to have one under control, Syrus sweeps in and begins swinging at the other. A few chunks are lopped off, and Syrus relents, saber rising once more to guard.
[Erisi]
Sausage and Pepper are TERRIFYING. Sausage, bigger than Pepper, is of grey and white in color with splotches of black along his hide, long fangs with pointy teefies that snap out as it lunges towards Sebek as he BEHOLDS the yellowish alien. Teeth gnash before the big pupper finds himself suddenly lifted into the air off his huge pawsies by some unseen force, the big fluffer-butt SMASHED into the stone wall with a yelp of pain, the Koriena dropping down and briefly limping with a whimper, wide brown eyed gaze looking off to little Pepper with her shiny coat of orange, black, yellow and brown, who alters her path from barreling down the middle of the pathway to instead lunge at Sebek as well.
BEHOLD. MEAN SYRUS HACKS and SLICES poor Pepper, the Koriena finding her rump sliced through, and because she twisted to try and face him, an big floppy ear of hers gets lopped off, blood spurting out as she whimperingly growls, crouching down and readying to try another attack, teeth bared once more and Pepper getting back into the fight, Sausage also moving to join her, the pair moving side by side to snap and snarl out at the no-so-fun-anymore-toys.
What is Erisi doing during this time? Bro, those are DOGS. She RAISED Koriena. Nope. She's not gonna touch those babies, and instead hangs back with a grimace on her lips, hands raised up to her eyes where she looks through fingertips and physically winces each hit against the beasts.
[Malik Ren]
They honestly probably could have just given the Koriena some snacks, like a ration bar or Iollan, and then passed through with ease.
But it cannot be said that Kylo ever taught his proteges non-violent problem solving, and Malik doesn't have a temperament for kindness anyway. It'd be awkward explaining to the coven why he killed their pets, if he wasn't clearly low key trying to kill them as well.
Poor sausage is indeed unjustly sabered, and with malice! If Malik ever thought twice about it, if he grimaced or regretted, it's hidden behind his inscrutable mask. Maybe Oran Arcantael never had pets as a child. Maybe he doesn't remember being Oran.
[Domino]
Domino finds herself without anywhere to retreat-realizing that she has no means to scamper off to safty from her current position she strides forward and fires rapidly with more success than before though she risks being closer to the fearsome beasts rather than be up against a wall <<"This seems like a lot of ammo on a stars be damned critter!">> she announces ejecting a the not quiet spent charge pack and yanking another free to replace it.
[Sebek]
Parry! Parry! Thrust! Thrust! Good! One flying angry hound barrelled past the whirligig that was Sebek, inasmuch as he could be in such a cramped space, and the second managed to sink teeth into him! Oh, no, wait, no that was just the wookiee pelt that was presumably weighing the Falleen down. "Yes! YES! Feast on the flesh of Arrikkata as I did!" He what now?! Evade the leap of the first dog, focus on the current adversary! Shaving the creature's tail down with his first swipe, fancy but harmless, he added a few more wounds to the beast's flank. "Capable adversaries! You bring ruin to the lesser! Shame, for we are far greater!"
[Syrus]
Altogether uncomfortable with fighting the canines, Syrus decides it's likely for the best that it be handled quickly, if it just be handled at all. Crimson saber is held aloft and swung mercilessly into the body of the beast. With a whimper, it's snuffed out and Syrus stands back up straight, saber held down and away as he watches how the group is handling the remaining guardian.
[Erisi]
Is Syrus that uncomfortable? Because that Good Girl laying dead on the cold stone ground would have something to say about that. She did indeed go with just a whimper, body flopping to the ground, but not before she tried her best to bite at him with a lunging tippy tap of her big paws.
The sudden culling of his compatriot has Sausage stopping dead in his tracks, a dart forwards done to give her fur a nip on her tail, a playful sort of thing where teeth are briefly bared and a small snap of them is done, and when she doesn't move he darts back, twirls around, readying for another attack but ?he just doesn't have it in him. Tail tucks and Sausage runs the opposite way back up to the castle proper, disappearing down a Koriena sized doorway and beyond into his pen to lick his wounds.
Erisi for her part lowers her hands and stares wide eyed at everyone, "Holy hells, guys ?t..wow. They ..probably would have taken a numnum, or a ..head scratch, Koriena are such good animals." She will kill a person without question, but man. Who kills a dog. Not she. Not Kylo. But this group ? Grimacing she walks forwards to continue up into the castle proper, only one obstacle left, something more suited for Domino's skillset, or Eri's, but Eri is way too traumatized right now to do much. Look at the fearless Second.
A large sliding door, metal in construction, with a control pad beside it, blocks their way from heading in further and claiming their tome.
A set of stairs, three in all, lead up to it, the only real high tech item in the whole castle, perhaps one too many attacks by the locals having resulted in it being needed.
[Malik Ren]
Poor Sausage. Poor Pepper. They didn't deserve any of this. But has anyone ever deserved it? Somewhat less cute spiderlike creatures on Felucia, trying to feed their young, mercenaries just working for a paycheck. Rebels hoping for a better future, Bimm monks living their lives in peace at the end of the galaxy...
None of them deserved it.
Malik doesn't bother to answer Erisi regarding head-scratches and nummy nummies, which he clearly never considered an option. Instead, his mask turns toward Sebek. "Don't chase it. Eat whatever you want from the dead one. You have until we get this door open."
So, the door. For this, he glances toward the technically inclined ladies in the group, and invites, "Check it for traps, open it if it's safe, and let us know if we need to cut holes in it if it's locked."
[Domino]
Domino lowers her weapon and her head swivels making sure no one needs medical attention before she trots forward. She tugs out a compact mirror and carefully checks high and low, able to do it swiftly though it looks like she's one of those drinking bird toys but she manages quickly and once up she unclips her serial cable bandalier and selects the desired interface before plugging it in. Connecting to her datapad there's a brief scrolling of screen before there's indication either by click or prompt on her screen that the lock has been disengaged. <<"Door's open, I hear women just beyond it.">>
[Iollan Canem]
<<"Clearly you haven't been bitten by enough large animals,">> crackles through the processor of Lan's mask, flat as ever. As the reigning expert in being mauled, he seems to have little sympathy to the plight of the new dead guard dog. Keeping his blaster in hand still, there's a quiet moment of gathering himself up to mostly standing, hunched still under the imposing ceiling as Domino works away. With nothing else pressing for his direction at the moment, he hangs around near the middle, eyes out for the next terrible thing poised to eat them.
[Sebek]
Sebek had taken one long running stride after the retreating hound before pivoting and skidding to a stop. There was an expression on his face very similar to that of a vornskr being told it couldn't go play with rabbits. There miiiiiight have been a nearly-inaudible childish whine. But, one had fallen, and not exactly understanding nor caring about the possible ramifications of eating the fallen beloved pet of a close comrade, he was going to eat it. His mouth stretched wide, sharp pointy teeth, flicking reptilian tongue, and without the benefit of cutlery or sauce he was gonna go whole hog.
And then the door was open.
And then there was an actual audible childish whine. "Alas!" he cried. "For I am again denied a feast!"
[Erisi]
After they breach through the door thanks to Domino, it will slide open quietly, barely a whisper of sound. The castle itself is very quiet. Very. Very quiet. In the distance laughter can be heard, the large stone corridor lit up with flickering torches, no windows opening out to the world beyond though there are curved arched recessed spaces where large painted portraits of women are set, gazes looming down over the group, faces stern, women mostly older elderly women with nameplates below each and a span of years etched into said plates in Corellian. Former heads of the coven, perhaps.
The corridor is fairly small for such a big place, cold stone carved and smoothed out, paths of those who have walked these corridors having worn down the stone over the decades.
With a turn to the right it opens up to a large circular common room with a large fire in the middle of the room, heat staving off the cold of the floors, flickering and dancing over the faces of a group of five women all sitting in comfortable carved chairs, all very old, grey hair wound up in buns, one with a perm, another with long braided hair, all dressed in warm cassocks of shimmering emerald green. Small tables with cups of hot liquid are at their elbows, some of the women cross-stitching, a few knitting, one just sitting there enjoying her tea. The room is decorated with large tapestries along the tall walls, the ceiling vaulted and tall, a large series of open slats allowing fresh air to come in and the acrid air from the fire to seep out, saving the nuns from carbon monoxide poisoning. Windows as well, slatted and closed, overlook the room from other floors, currently closed, giving access to the space when needed.
There are three exits leading off from this room, including the one the group just came through, and voices carry from other areas of the castle into this central room, soft echoes that dance along the walls, some voices singing, others in discussion.
Sebeks cry of being denied a meal alerts the women, so when the Knights of Ren pass through cooridor they're met first by one woman who raises an eyebrow, her knitting needles lowering into her lap though she keeps her grip tight on them, index fingers pointed forwards as she narrows her gaze from behind her glasses, "Sisters, we have uninvited guests."
Heads turn, bodies lean, looking from behind chairs to eye, soft creaking of wooden frames, "Where are Sausage and Pepper?" One wonders, a soft whimpering from said Koriena as he pushes in through a low flap in the wall to the right, crawling his way towards one of the old ladies, blood trail trailing, the one who spoke first gasping and rising up, knitting falling to the floor, one of the knitting needles kept in her right hand as she rushes to the Koriena's side, "//Sausage//, what did you do to him?" Dropping to her knees she'll comfort the wounded beast.
"They have to pay."
"They have to pay penance."
"Yes, penance. Punishment."
The other ladies move out of their seats, perhaps with a bit of a struggle for one or two, the others with grave severity written on their features as they step out from behind their chairs to face the intruders, "What do you want, who sent you." This asked by a shorter, plump woman who angrily advances on the group, chest puffed up with her anger, "Go. Begone. We wish nothing to do with any of you, leave us ALONE." Screw punishment, this one just wants them out.
[Malik Ren]
"It would be rather more shocking if you had invited guests." Malik enters every room as though he expects it to arrive shortly in his real estate portfolio, and this one is no different, castle crones notwithstanding. "Terrible curb appeal."
"Cut him apart," the masked man continues succinctly when asked what happened to Sausage. "There are two outcomes of a trap, woman, success or failure. This trap has failed, and if you couldn't countenance the notion, you never should have set it." Koriena are clearly not in a different category for him than vornskrs or spiders, but then again... something human was lost when Oran became Malik. The dark side is that way.
A long moment is spent studying the women here, then he looks back at the group with him. "They're useless for our purposes. Don't bother killing them unless they attack us, but if they attack, do as you must."
Back to the women. "I am here for documents. Artifacts. Descriptions of your traditions, since no one here possesses a light of interest to me and my kind. But I understand you feel you've been done an injury. I don't agree, but I am listening." He holds a hand up to the others in a 'don't shoot' way. "Penance or punishment. I can answer for it, depending on the terms. Describe your terms."
[Domino]
Domino is closest to the door awaiting the others-she hadn't expected Sebek's outburst and there's a sharp jerk of her head at Sebek's outburst <<"What are you-A Toddler?! SHUT. UP!">> there's static thanks to the force of her exasperated exhale before she looks at the ladies and while she doesn't lower her blaster one hand lifts and she says "I think they ran off, sure they'll be back towards feeding time. So, how about you not make me waste ammo and you give the sexy man what he wants, huh?"
[Iollan Canem]
It's almost refreshing to walk into a room full of hostile figures and not be the one doing the talking. A change of pace, certainly, and for the moment Iollan does little to disrupt that. Instead he follows in behind Malik, a pace back respectfully, and simply makes to fill out space in the impending negotiations. Not that the Ren needs added intimidation, per say, but a towering figure seldom hurts the mood. It also gives him a change to assess whoes who in the space, counting out in his head, and none too subtly switch out his guns -- the heavy hitter goes away for something quicker -- this is likely going to be a crowd game, when it all goes ass up.
[Sebek]
Ah yes, the talking. Sebek, covered in blood because swords don't cauterize, was clearly the person here that had inflicted the trauma on the poor pupper. What a meaniepants! And when said meaniepants saw the Koriena re-emerge into view, his smile stretched beyond that of human norm. Maybe he'd get to eat after all! "What is the harm in listening to Those Who Die? The complaints are succint," he advised, his voice sexy and yet so very not. Umami, bby.
[Syrus]
"You will submit to his wishes, and understand that it would be a great mistake to attack us," Syrus says, stepping forward with his saber still illuminated. His off-hand, however, is lifted in their direction, tendrils of invisible energy arching through the air and into their minds.
[Erisi]
Which Sexy man. None of these men seem to fit the bill of sexy men to these women. Domino's attempt at fluffing up the image of the short Malik has the women exchanging glances, the plump woman not having any of it, "We are /chaste/ and /untouched/, so that we may honor our Goddesses with all our attention." A snide look down her nose at Domino says she suspects the woman is the exact opposite. JUDGEMENT. Plus, again. Mal is kinda short. The Very Tall men, as tall as they are, are also not swaying the woman, but ...they could. They could. A smile. A smoldering blue steel look, might have some of them tittering. But no one rises to the - nope. Sebek does. But the fat one is oddly disgusted by him, but ..kinda wants to hear more? Eugh. No. This whole group is bloody strange, save for Mal who's actually engaging with them.
"I am Sister Hagreed, and we are the sisters of the Order of Stitches and Knitting, and I --" Syrus speaks, and all the women seem to sway a little under his lull, just enough of a lull to have them listen, "I want to submit to your wishes, and I understand that it would be a great mistake to attack you." All the women murmur the same words, everyone but the fat plump one sitting down to resume their knitting and sewing as they whisper towards the old Plump One secrets to share.
"The tomes are in the box above the dogs door." Stage-whisper, The Plump one repeating, "Oh yes, the tomes are in this box here." She turns and moves off to the place where poor Sausage crawled out of, unlatching a door and pulling out a large box that's like a hat box, but wooden. Carved with fancy symbols that Syrus may recognize. She steps towards Malik, handing him the box with outstretched arms, "We knit and sew for orphans left behind in orphanages across the galaxy, and have taken a vow of isolation though we do have a few women who take penance to go out for us to gather supplies when needed. All of our secrets are in this box, and I sometimes sneak chocolate despite our vows to abstain from rich foods, and I enjoy bribing the other sisters to my will with the chocolate as well." "Oh yes, tell her about the wine." "Oh the wine!" "We drink so much wine." The other women chatter, and the Plump sister looks embarassed as she shares, "Once a month we drink wine to send joy to our Goddesses, and dance nakedly on the rooftops until we can't dance anymore. It's a wonderful celebration, and the one thing we all enjoy together."
"Oh ..my Goddess. Coven of Witches. Coven of Stitches." That's Erisi coming out from the corridor where she had stepped back and attempted to heal poor Pepper. She comes out, hands bloodied, fur stuck to them and wrung in her robes, her attempt to save Pepper having failed miserably. A heavy sigh from the plump one as the others move to sit back down as it appears she's got things under control, "Why in the world do the locals think you're witches?" Asked, and the Plump one explains, "The locals over the decades have spun stories that have become fables they pass around and think are real. We used to be amongst them and aid them in time of need with our wares." "Oh, the penance should be our sweaters! To spread our name!" "Yes! Pay us back with acknowledgement!"
Two of the women run off after launching out of their chairs in excitement, because this is obviously what Mal wants, right?
Everyone gets beautiful sweaters:
Domino gets a knitted bunny hug sweater of pale blue with bright pink stripes, a nice big hood connected to it, and a nice deep front pocket.
Iollan gets a nice cardigan with big brown buttons in the color of pink and grey, circles patterned within the wool, the thing also possessing of pockets, though it's a little short and tight in the arms.
Syrus gets a bunny hug sweater of yellow and pink (they have a LOT of pink yarn), nice zigzagged patterning, a little short maybe but still wearable.
Malik gets a bright pink knitted sweater, bunny hug as well, with trim of grey along the bottom of the sweater and sleeves, sans a hood for him though.
Sebek gets to eat Pepper.
Erisi gets a cardigan of grey with pink trim, complete with fun knitted buttons which are super useless.
The old ladies will ask if the group wishes to stay, though no doubt Malik begs off and tells them no. He couldn't possibly, and they get sent off with cookies and tea for the ride back.
Syrus for his part, when examining the tomes later, will find they're written in ancient Corellian, and the tome to 'raise the dead' is actually a fantastic recipe for Takonda Chicken Soup, which is described as the kind of soup that is so rich in nutrients and goodness that it tempts those at risk of dying of an ailment away from death. The other tomes are other recipes, and instructions on how to brew the wine used in ceremonies, explanations of their rituals.
All that way for chicken soup, cookies, tea and sweaters.
Worth it.
