Amicos Iterium

[Swamps]

The waves sloshed and slurped lazily against the shining shores. Seabirds darted between the flowing waves and plucked fish from the clear water in their tiny orange beaks. The sea flickered and glimmered under the touch of Corell, Corellia's only sun. It was setting, it's orangey rim just disappearing under the horizon in fit of splashing colour. And if one looked close enough they could see the small silver silhouette of a pleasure shuttle against the slowly disappearing sun. A truly beautiful sight, and if indeed Karon could see it he would have certainly said so.

Even if he had possessed eyes the Jedi's attention was absorbed in the clunky datapad in his hands. A large out-dated model with a chunky, three-dimensional keyboard at its base with glowing Aurabesh characters on them. Above it a dim screen but one that appeared blank and featureless to the Miraluka Jedi. The key to the device was a small earpiece that sat in the curve of his ear, invisible to the naked eye or indeed the force sight of a Miraluka, that transmitted the text from the screen to his ear. He drank in the information...

Sebastian Monroe... CEO of Adega Airships... Entrepreneur and bachelor... Responsible for the groundbreaking... Involved with several hacking and theft allegations... No solid evidence...

He already knew all this... With a disgruntled sigh Karon plucked his earpiece from his ear and thrust it into his pocket. He had spent hours poring over the case notes and had taken great detail in looking into every possibility but there was nothing. The communications tower had been attacked and disabled cleanly and after deactivating the surveillance cameras. The only clues they had to go on were several pummeled corpses and hat little information their technicians could gleam from the network's activity logs. It was what the technicians had found that had dragged he and Halcyon all the way out to Corellia, to Sebastian Monroe's estate. The hacker had used a maneuver that had been dubbed the 'Monroe Shuffle' after the CEO himself was involved with several other alleged offences. As was to be expected from any case incriminating Monroe no solid evidence had ever been found and he had slithered free each time. Of course, he and Halli had less than the previous investigators but it was the corpse that made their investigation so urgent.

Three dead Jedi as well as a dozen guardsmen killed. In suspicious circumstances also. Most of the guardsmen had been thrown about like rag dolls and had died of hemorrhaging. The work of a force-user. The prospect of a Sith alliance with Sebastian Monroe was both daunting economically as it was politically. He held good standing in many political circles and Corellia was dangerously close to Coruscant...

Karon banished his increasingly darkening thoughts and turned his mind to a lighter topic. He looked over to his friend, Halcyon Price. He smiled at the recognition of her aura, the spirit of adventure shone brightly through her... With a slight tinge of discomfort. Perhaps Halli was travel-sick? It had been a bumpy ride...

"You ever been to the Golden Shores before, Halli? The guide says it's beautiful."

[Dutch]

One. Two. One. Two. One. Two.

Halli counted her steps as she watched her feet under her. One for her right foot, two for her left foot. Over and over she repeated her little mantra in her head. It helped her stay focused, a technique taught to her by Master Roq. When anxiety spiked, she should focus on something mundane. Really focus on it. There was a spot of pink on her left boot. Paint from an earlier session. It flashed at her over and over as Halli walked slightly behind Karon. Her eyes would sometimes flash up at Karon's direction. He fiddled with his ancient datapad and grumbled in annoyance. Halli's hair would flow loosely over her shoulder as she tilted her head to get a better look at Karon's face. The sunset bathed the man in golds and reds, and the girl couldn't help but think of how regal he looked at that moment. Grumpy face and everything.

She quickly straightened her posture and looked away from him as he sighed with displeasure. Internally Halli winced. The girl had been dreading this trip the entire time. When Karon asked though... Halli never could say no to Karon. Even after he showed her the holo of the man they were en route to see, Halli had agreed to follow Karon. She never said, but the minute her friend had shown her the picture of 'Sebastian Monroe' Halli had immediately recognized him. It wasn't the first the girl had seen his visage. As a matter of fact, she had painted it over and over. With Bellinda.

Bellinda. Karon was going to find out. He was going to find out Bellinda was alive. He was going to know she knew Bellinda was alive.

Her eyes darted once more to Karon as her skin flushed in anxiety. He spoke and Halli near jumped out of her skin as she expected him to scold her. But of course he didn't. Karon never was stern with Halli, ever. Especially of late, she greatly appreciated the kindness he showed. Halli scolded herself internally for the way she thought before, Karon was her best friend, and had saved her on multiple occasions. There was no reason for Halli to fear the Miraluka. But deep down, she really did fear him in a way. Karon was strong, and known for his temper. Halli never wanted to cross him. Ever.

Halli's steps began to slow down as she smiled at Karon's words. Dainty fingers would reach out in front of her to gather up a handful of his robe's sleeve. She pulled gently as her pace crawled to a stop. Her eyes would drink in the beauty of the sunset, now in twilight purples, reds and oranges. Its warmth washed over her skin and she breathed in the salty sea air as a slight wind picked up to flutter her hair. A soft smile would upturn the corners of her lips. In all the turmoil in the galaxy, even with its ruin possible at any moment... there was still such beauty in the galaxy.

"Yes... when I was younger. You'll never see a more lovely sunset"

She spoke, her voice airy and wistful. Her hand wound more into Karon's robe as she sighed happily. Until her words hit her. Halli winced internally again and pursed her lips. She hated it when she didn't watch her words around Karon. Halli never wanted to insult him, but it was difficult for the blonde when so much of her world was visually oriented, and his wasn't. But he could experience it in other ways.

With a slow inhale and exhale Halli let herself out into the Force, and gently asked for Karon's permission in the Force to meld with his presence. It wasn't the first time Halli had done this, but it was a rare occasion indeed. She kept her eyes open as she drank in the sunlight. Karon would never see it as she did, but Halli let her emotions towards it flood into him. Calm. Serene. Warm. With a soft tone, she began to describe it to him.

"It's like... the end of an opera by Iluny Mestre Mata deVela, more powerful and beautiful as it begins to die. Like waving goodbye to an old friend you won't see for a while... but you're filled with confidence you'll see them again someday. Like a great big romantic inspirational fire in the sky..."

Halli trailed off to look up at Karon. Her doe-like eyes scanned his features to try and guess his reaction to the emotions and words she gave to him, eager for his approval in any way.

***

"FERNANDO WHYYYYYY!?"

Shrieked the holoprojector. The woman who screamed fainted dramatically as she tumbled to the floor. Jessoin had to fight back a start of excitement at the reveal of Fernando as he had broke down the door to shoot Zeltana's new voice instructor, the roguish Filip. This was pivotal for him, as Fernando had been a long favorite character of his, and Filip was his favorite new character. As much as he wanted Nando to succeed in his dastardly plans as usual, he also really didn't want the steamy Filip to perish so soon. Damned Zeltana. Always muddling with everything. Why did she never get shot?

Jessoin groaned as the adverts came on. Terribly timed as usual. He turned his gaze over to Bellinda and shook his head with an exasperated groan. His long fingers reached out to grab the glass of wine on the table in front of him. It clinked off the table as he brought it to his lips to sip idly. Bellinda and Sebastian always had the best wines. Which only made his visits all the better. It was rare for him to make it so close to the core, and in all honesty, Jessoin would not venture any deeper in fear of any Jedi noting him. Luckily Sebastian was quite reputable in the area, and folk knew to steer clear of his antics. Jess had a healthy respect for someone like that. A small, small amount, but more than he usually gave willingly.

He stood up fluidly to stand there and down the rest of his glass of wine. Jess sighed in satisfaction before he sat the glass back down. Still clad in hand-tailored, form fitting robes that he would normally wear on Korriban. He was essentially on lock-down whenever he visited Bellinda's 'home', so why not wear something comfortable? Jess dared anyone to find anything more comfortable and decadent than Neimoidian Silk.

"Show's never felt the same since that new writer came on. Can't say I'm a fan."

Jess said with much salt in his tone. He turned his head to crack his neck and stretched his lanky arms out. With a raised eyebrow he looked down as his mini holoprojector dinged. His eyes would narrow in suspicion. As far as he knew he shouldn't be expecting anything.

"If you'll give me a moment..."

He murmured mostly to himself as he removed the device from his belt, that sat next to his lightsaber. His long strides took him away from where he sat and out of the room. Moments later he was out on the back patio of Sebastian's home and clicked on the device. After an almost bored exhale he regarded the tiny image that popped up into his hand, and greeted them.

"Oh. You."

[Swamps]

Karon felt a gentle tug at his wrist answer his question and stopped, allowing the tiny hands to turn him towards the shore. He could feel it, a beating warmth against his face. Golden waves of heat from explosions rocking the vacuum so, so far away. An odd sensation though because no matter how hard he strained his vision and stretched himself he could not find their source. It was ethereal, unreachable. Something to imagine but never find. The Miraluka Jedi scrunched his toes in his boots, feeling the golden sand pool beneath his thin-soled booths. He would appreciate what he had, not what was beyond him. And with that thought in mind he turned to Halli, straining himself once again in pursuit of something more tangible. Her face was almost completely smooth and thus practically invisible, only the smooth curves of her cheek bones and the sloping crevices of her eye sockets appearing in any fine detail. The rest was hearsay, blank spaces to which he could only guess the appearance of. She spoke lightly, her voice drifting through octaves in a progressive expression of wonderment.

Karon twitched a little, his brow furrowing in mild annoyance. It was enough to have the 'wonders of sight' dangled in front of his figurative eyes but this was torture. He watched the joy in her expression, the utter awe of what lay before her suddenly cracked and she winced, obviously realising her mistake. Karon was used to it not from Halli but he was used to it, she had known him so long that the mistakes only happened once a year or so. But they still hurt just as bad each time. Like hearing somebody talk of a precious jewel for years and years only to realise the jewel is invisible and unreachable, a fantasy far beyond your reach. He suddenly felt something against his aura, like a cool hand against him. He was flooded with a calm and a tranquillity he had never experienced before, Halli's emotion. He cracked a smile and let out a bewildered laugh, this was amazing. Such majesty. She narrated the sunset, her almost poetic descriptions making him stir deep inside. He recalled the final swells of Mestre Mata's fourth, how the violins echoed each other in such perfect harmony and quietened almost unnoticeably into silence. And then an old friend, he winced again. It was her, always her. Never anybody else. How could it be anybody else?
Karon felt his expression falter a little and swallowed deep, ushering in serenity. Halli was looking at him, he could feel it. Something more calming than any sunset.

"Thank you... Halli..."

Karon managed, taking a shallow breath.

"That was... Fantastic."

He felt a smile creep across his face again and let it. He took her hand in his and gave it a grateful squeeze.

"Now, shall we get going? The sooner we finish here the sooner the sun will rise!"

His smile widening, he started to run down the beach pulling his friend behind him. It had been too long since he had gave in and simply felt. Far, far too long.

[Moonfire]

"SPACE SLUG SODA! ITS THE SPACIEST!" Screeched the holoprojector shrill and piercing as various wacky noises filled the plush home theater.

Bellinda winced visibly, waving her hand to turn the volume down. The advertisements for this program were always the worst, grating and ill-placed, but she was usually intoxicated enough to get through them. With a slight of the force, Bellinda beckoned the large, mostly full bottle of rich dark wine forward, tipping it to replenish her glass.

"I'm not sure, I rather like some of the changes. I mean... Tisha's identical twin sister coming into the mix? That's pure gold." Her voice casual as her friend grumbled, discontent.

Her friendship with Jessoin Zarander was an unexpected, but welcomed one. The lanky, flamboyant Sith with his penchant for Soap Operas and womanizing seemed to enjoy her company, inviting her for evenings such as this one. Gathered before a softly humming holoprojector the pair watched classics such as The Young & The Cutthroat, General Med-bay, and Nights of our Lives, or... Jessoin watched, Bellinda listened. Jessoin explained in exquisite detail every outfit, every motion, sprinkled with his own commentary as the pair nibbled fine cheeses and indulged their most guilty of pleasures.

"Plus, it sounds like the costume designers are really giving it all this season. I wonder what kind of dress Zeltana's going to wear to the wedding." She mused, curled up on the sumptuous piece of furniture, a velvety textured couch she stretched out like a kitten across, running her fingers across its fine surface. She did so love living here sometimes.

Bellinda waved Jessoin off as he excused himself, taking another deep sip of her wine, it was an extra long program tonight, the Season Finale for General Med-bay, so the commericals were frequent and longer, to draw out the moment. Was Tisha finally going to get married? Or Would Fernando leave her at the alter..? The galaxy was waiting to know!

Settling back the young woman relaxed, letting her mind wander. For once things were going well. She was by most standards quite happy, perhaps even healthy. Despite her more... immoral dealings with the Sith, a necessary evil as she saw it, things were looking well. Bellinda was comfortable with a n enviable lifestyle, attached to someone who was featured in Corellia's Most Eligible Billionaires List, and rather high on that list she might add, she was the Apprentice to one of the most powerful women in galaxy and steadily becoming allies with others. It was a nice existence, a comfortable one.

As her mind wandered over she watched the swirling auras about the house. Jessoin, his cool, yet erratic presence hugged close to his frame out on the back porch, facing the moving waves. Sebastian, his lit up like a star in her mind, poised in his parlor over the piano, mastering some new composition.

A smile lingered on her face, thoughts drowning out the other damnable adverts, squealing about some sort of rhinestone-affixing-glue for horse saddles. And then, something curious moved about in her periphery. Bellinda sat up, small pale face twisting up as she concentrated. People were coming to the door, force users, Jedi. But they were so... familiar.

"No..." Bellinda whispered, flopping into a standing position, her silvery cane sailing up into her hand, Bellinda tottered forward on stiff, protesting legs towards the front of the house as the deep gong of the doorbell filled the estate.

[Kella]

Sebastian was in a solitary mood. He had spent the entire morning hard at work -- planting the seeds of coups, feeding bad information to all the right people and good information to all the wrong ones, providing for the disposal of a disloyal employee, purchasing a black-market artifact, turning around and selling it two minutes later for five times the price, the usual. He'd taken a fifteen minute break to see to the next two years of Adega's operating future, and by the time he had finished lunch, all of his schemes had entered stages of patient waiting.

Jessoin and Bellinda were taking advantage of the theatre to watch their holodramas. Sebastian found them terribly boring, and was happy to let Bellinda enjoy time with her friend. Even so, that meant she was not available to entertain Sebastian that afternoon.

The piano was the one puzzle, other than Bellinda, that managed to draw Sebastian back over and over again. Today, he was experimenting with layering minor key cords with a major key melody, in an attempt to compose an overtly happy piece with a subliminally unsettling undertone. Perfection proved elusive, but that was why Sebastian so enjoyed the challenge. He had fallen into a momentum with the melody, and when the doorbell rang, he did little more to glance up to see that Ramadhin, his butler, was indeed attending to it, before returning his full attention to the sound that filled the front half of the mansion.

Ramadhin, a slender, dark man in traditional robes and a cream-colored turban, smoothly opened the door. He had a precise, measured bearing at all times, and dark eyes that seemed to look through things rather than at them. He smiled politely at the visitors, realizing very quickly that they were quite different from the usual callers. And, most importantly, they had not made an appointment.

"May I help you?" he said, over the thunderous notes of enthused genius.

[Swamps]

Karon brushed himself down, smiling widely at his partner. He had had more fun in the last few hours than he had in months. Only a fool could avoid the reason why... She made him so much happier, her lighter and more spritely words and motions infiltrating his often cantankerous nature and causing it to explode. Explode with sound and beauty and a vivacity which could only be attributed to Halli. They had sprinted up the beach together, laughing and smiling like they hadn't in so, so long. And now they found themselves at the door of the most illustrious mansion. It towered from the craggy coast and lunged far into the beach, it's smooth, curving walls roaring up from the golden sands of the beach. It was oddly beautiful sight even to the Miraluka, it's edges forming an almost Machivellian array of arches and curvatures that swirled and bent across each other in predatory patterns. A wonder of architecture. Karon reached out in front of him to find an ornate button encrusted onto the large oaken door and hovered his hand over it for a moment. Very quickly his mind flooded back into seriousness and began calculating risks and possibilities. If the man was involved would they be greeted at all and if they were would it be with a hand or a blaster? Would he gas them, trap them, ransom them? Deliver them to the Sith? Or would they be taken in for drinks and spend a pleasant but useless evening with an innocent man? He could only hope. He pressed the button.

An ominous chord rang from behind the door, echoing noticeably through what Karon imagined to be a catacomb of rooms and studies and bathrooms with walls stacked high with every luxury imaginable. He hadn't lived a plentiful life but he had fond memories of his time on Fondor, they wanted for much but in a way they wanted for little. They had no need for the holonet or other extravagances. Simply clothes, a roof and wood to cut. But he remembered with awe the lords and ladies of Fondor, in all of their opulent finery. They came through the slums occasionally. When they wanted to promote themselves or be seen to be 'normal'. And for brief hours the slum-dwellers played along, pretending that the charity given to them was out of kindness and human sacrifice not of selfish and conniving ambition. He had laid awake at night on those days, thinking of the lords tucked away in their beds. Beds with pillows and lamps and cosy covers... Or attending fine balls with beautiful women at their arms and expensive suits on their bodies. The Jedi wondered for a moment, how close his childish dreams would be to reality and with a swing of a door his question was answered.

"May I help you?"

The silky tones of a butler could be heard over the beautiful cacophony of a piano somewhere in the house.

"Yes, I do hope so. My name is Karon Meritt, I'm a Jedi Knight and would like to ask your master some questions if he's available and willing?"

Karon said with great control, displaying his best smile. Smiles were an odd thing for him, and for any Miraluka. Odd, trivial things that although almost invisible were integral to Human conversation. He remembered Halli teaching him this, and suppressed a chuckle as memories of her 'smiling lessons' flooded back to him.

[Dutch]

Halli giggled and danced in place as the two finally came to a start, her laughter bubbly and lyrical. The run down the beach had been far too much fun for the little blonde. She sprinted, and danced, and flipped. Luckily she had chosen to wear her light armor-weave body suit over the heavier medium enforcer armor. Halli preferred the enhanced mobility that came with the body suit, allowed her much greater maneuverability. And ability to do a chain of flips in a row. The girl just couldn't help but show off a little bit once the adrenaline kicked in. Karon and Halli were indeed both examples of opposite sides of the Guardian spectrum. Where Karon was stockier, stronger, but slower- Halli was faster, nimbler, but could never strike with the kind of conviction that Karon wielded.

She let herself forget what loomed on the horizon as she played with Karon. Halli couldn't recall the last time she had played, let alone with one of her closest friends. And with Karon. Just for one moment in months and months of tormented feelings, she let herself feel utter joy, excitement, and didn't even fight the flutter that instantly seized her entire core the minute Karon wrapped his strong, calloused hand in hers. Even if it was nothing more than a wistful dream in her heart, Halli still let herself enjoy just feeling loved for the first time in so long. Roq had been right, there was still beauty in the galaxy, there was still a reason to keep going on. She smiled and wished to wrap her arms around the Graarl's neck again. To bury herself in his surprising warmth and feel comforted... but she wanted that from Karon more.

The blond knew she had to be careful though. She made sure she didn't let the feelings be anything more than that: Feelings. Jedi were above them. They took action logically, for the good of the galaxy. To stop men like this Sebastian Monroe. The memory of the communications building still made her skin rise in goosebumps. She could feel Bellinda's presence in each person she had killed. It still shocked herself to even think that. Bellinda KILLED someone!? Her beloved, sweet, soft spoken friend? Halli had yet to take a life, nor did she ever want to if she could. All life was sacred, and to feel Bellinda's mark upon the dead and fallen. She was amazed to be able to hold back the tears that began to well up.

In a few minutes, she hoped she could still hold them back.

Now under better composure, Halli patted her hair to make sure the twin braids that the swept back and dangled behind her were still in place. For once she didn't have a single speck of paint on her, as she was to be representing the Order, and needed to look professional. If she was tormented and disheveled on the inside, she had better at least look composed on the outside. As the pair strode up to the mansion, Halli slapped her hands together to remove any last bits of sand from them.

The place was... opulent, regal, magnificent. She recognized the architectural hallmarks of Corellian work, simply elegant and breathtaking. The inner artist within Halli sung at the outward appearance of the decadent mansion. But it was what was inside this place that Halli was concerned about. For she knew what it held, who was inside. The ominous tones of the bell rang as Karon hit the button, and Halli waited with growing anxiety for the door to open.

When it did the blonde visibly jumped and squeaked in shock at the man that answered. Her eyes grew round and her jaw set as she stared openly at the man's gigantic mustache and beard to match. Her own Master had quite the beard too, but it was not so grand and oiled. As Karon introduced himself it was all Halli could do but continue to stare at the grand mustache. She blinked after a moment and realized she should probably introduce herself too.

"Um, Hello! I'm Halli Price and this is my friend Karon but you knew that I'm sorry but wasn't the sunset lovely today and wow how long does it take you to groom your mustache that must take like a week to get right do you use products or is it just naturally like that and why are you wearing a turban and... I'm sorry again."

Halli finished with a quick bow of her head in apology. She clamped her lips shut and looked over at Karon. Everyone knew Halli babbled when anxious. Only problem was, Halli was always anxious.

This time for good reason, and the thunderous, ominous chords of the piano from within didn't help any.

[Kella]

Ramadhin blinked. He looked at the little blonde woman for a long moment, and then a wry smile cracked the seam between his mustache and beard. "Belladash's wax," he said simply, then swept the door open and stepped to the side. "I shall inquire of the Master."

The retreat of the heavy wooden door slowly revealed the foyer. A staircase with a sweeping railing rose from the glossy marble floor, over which elaborately woven rugs were exactly placed. Beyond the staircase, the foyer extended towards the back of the mansion, tastefully decorated with a collection of artworks which would -- and had -- made many collectors swoon. Every detail had been attended to, from the texture of the walls to the subtle embossing of the high ceiling. To the right, an archway lead into an expansive dining hall, and from the left -- still behind the door -- came the notes of the piano. The melody concluded with a flourish as the door slid shut.

Another archway framed the grand piano, clearly the focus of the sitting room, elegant and polished to a perfect shine. Similar could be said of the man whose fingers still rested on the keys. "Ah, visitors!" He said, standing and striding over. "What do we have here?"

"A Jedi Knight and his chattish friend," Ramadhin replied, in voice quiet enough to be meant for his employer but still quite substantial enough for the others to hear. There was a glint of amusement in his eye. Sebastian dismissed the man with a nod of his head.

The master of the house looked politely surprised. "I don't get many Jedi callers. How might I help you?"

[Moonfire]

The clack of Bellinda's cane punctuated the light shuffle of her bare feet through the marble tilted hallways, her mind focused on the auras that shifted and moved just a few rooms away.

Could it be?

The figures moved, entering the luxurious manse behind Ramadhin, the thundering keys of Sebastian's piece enveloped the tiny woman as she limped closer, watching the shimmering figures come together as the final notes reverberated through the spacious halls.

Sebastian had for the longest time been a beacon in her mind. The bright focal point of her vision as his familiar aura dominated the room, dominated her world in a way. But it wasn't always so... No, where Sebastian would normally overwhelm and block out the dim, blurry figures around him, the others held their own, moving cautiously just away. Their names and histories danced behind her lips.

Entering the room, quietly, a tiny figured draped in white and silver, crimson hair loose about her face, Bellinda smiled. Breathless.

"Karon." A wide, glowing smiled stretched across the young woman's thin face. "Halcyon."

Without a word, without fear or sadness Bellinda shuffled forward, cane gripped in her small pale hand before wrapping herself about the pair, pulling the Jedi both close in a tight embrace. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since before I left..."

[Swamps]

"I don't get many Jedi callers. How might I help you?"

Karon watched Mr. Monroe amble over to them with great curiosity, his aura seemed to pulse lightly as he walked. As if with every step his confidence, or perhaps even arrogance, grew. A small but whirling figure, a relative pinprick in the Force compared to his own or Halcyon's next to him but one that shone with complexity. Charm and contentedness tempered with flecks of curiosity and something... Something other.

"Well-"

Karon began to respond to his host, all the while probing deeper into the Force. This man was definitely more than he appeared to be. But then something blazed in the room across from him, past stone and cloth. An aura of great power, an aura that now he saw it would not allow him to look anywhere else.

An aura that he recognised.

His words stopped and as did his world, the auras of the wealthy man and his Jedi companion beside him falling into obscurity whilst the other filled his vision. His brain started and then stuttered, again and again a hundred times a second. Inside of him emotions unseen for years turned in their graves, shifting and warping his insides as they groaned back to life.

No.

The aura came closer, turning and flaring lightly as it grew in intensity. The feelings of surprise and wonderment displayed within mirroring his own.

"Karon. Halcyon."

And suddenly she was around him. The woman he had grown up with, trained with, counselled and took counsel from, loved, searched for and buried was standing in front of him arms wrapped tightly around him and Halcyon. Bellinda Maskrr.

He could feel her, the smooth touch of her arms against his as she held them both in a tight embrace. An innumerable fusillade of emotions and thoughts exploded about his skull, wondering, judging, considering. Where had she been, why was she here, why hadn't she found them sooner...

Karon stamped out the thoughts and gave in to his feelings, reaching about her and holding Bellinda tightly. If he had eyes he would have cried out of joy.

"Bells..."

Karon uttered as much out of surprise as happiness, his face curving into an unbound smile. And unlike his previous smile this particular expression was special, not a trick or a forced pleasantry but an honest, ecstatic smile. As he went to speak again he felt the questions rear their heads again, poking at his throat. He opened his mouth but nothing came out, stuttering over undefined words. He cast the questions to one side.

"...I've missed you."

[Dutch]

The fear melted away for a moment as bubbly giggles erupted from Halli as the bearded man spoke. His voice was rich, exotic, and his smile naturally led to Halli smiling widely back at him. As he turned, Halli hand rested on Karon's arm for a moment. The smile slid away as she glanced up at him briefly. Her stomach gave a churn as they entered. It was just like she dreamed. The beginning of it. The grand entryway, the piano music that drifted melodically around them, and Karon at her side. Just like she dreamed. Just like she dreamed. Halli moved her free hand to pinch her other arm. It bit, and hurt, but she was still awake. It wasn't a dream this time. It wasn't a dream this time. She nearly felt removed from her body as the man led Karon and her through the near-palace of a mansion. Halli noticed that she had fallen behind Karon, and trotted with a light pitter-patter up to him again just as the master of the house greeted them. She heard the bearded man's comment and chimed in.

"Hey I'm a Jedi too!"

Halli said with a little stamp of her left foot. She glanced at Karon, then back at the other two men. Once again, she had to admit that out of the two of them, Karon fit the part with his perfect posture and traditional robes. Not many people looked at small women in jumpsuits and immediately thought 'Jedi' especially not when that woman was Halli Price. She tilted her head and felt the tips of her braids tickle the back of her neck as she looked Sebastian up and down. The Force was strange around him. It was hard to read him, and his handsome features and smooth tone of voice spoke of a well cultured, high-born type. She nearly responded to his question when a mural caught her eyes.

"Oh... my... NO WAY!"

She nearly gasped as she suddenly darted to her right to look at the mural. Twice as wide as it was tall, the girl stared up at it in wonder. Detras Mesta's final mural, a work that had been bought years ago by a private buyer, and not seen by the public eye in some time. Doe-like eyes stared up and traced over each and every stroke at the painting. Two armies waged war, one angelic and pure looking. Their white robes and gilded armor took up the entire right side. The left, covered in demonic creatures that crawled and flew on bat-like wings. The two collided in the center of the piece, surrounded a single figure dressed in red robes. The gender was impossible to discern, and the person was both beautiful and shapeless at the same time. Many historians had tried to decipher who they were, and there were plenty of theories but no real proof, as the Draethos painter had died of mysterious causes.

"Moneta ets Veln... I never thought I'd ever see it in real life! Many say that the red robed figure is a Jedi. And that the angels and demons around her is the Force..."

The tiny blonde's voice was filled in wonderment, the dreams completely forgotten as she took in the painting. It wasn't a very commonly known work, only those deeply steeped within the artistic community would even know the name Detras Mesta. Whoever this man was, he at least had amazing taste in art. She turned to look at him again, and more of her visions came to mind. A dark blush began to flush across her face as one of him and Bellinda tangled in sheets came to mind. She shook her head and scrunched her nose to banish the thought away. Halli trotted back to Karon's side, but not without a few looks back at the long lost painting. It was then that the presence hit her. Halli's eyes flew open and she turned to see Bellinda. Stunned, Halli stared at the red-head as she shuffled closer. She was... so frail looking now. Not the fit, healthy woman she had been during her time with the Jedi.

Sheer shock kept her rooted in place as Bellinda moved closer to pull Halli and Karon into an embrace. It was then the blonde lost it. Her eyes squeezed shut and her arms desperately clung to Bellinda's thin body. Hot tears instantly began to stream down Halli face as she buried it into her long lost friend, and the girl bawled wordlessly into her. Halli's shoulders shook with sobs and her entire body trembled and her heart threatened to slam it's way out of her chest. She tried several times to speak, but all that came out were squeaks and sobs. It was only after a moment that Halli managed to speak at all.

"Be-e-elliiiiiiiindaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Halli wailed her friend's name before her sobbing picked up again and the blonde clung to her tighter, her nose bright red and her lips quivered as she cried, but she didn't care. Years ago, Karon and Halli had buried 'her'. And for years, visions of her friend haunted Halli constantly, but without any real proof, the Jedi refused to follow the visions of a grieving friend and search further for Bellinda. But there she was, and despite how she looked physically, she was still Bellinda. Her aura was the same, even the smell of her was the same. Halli cried, and she cried, and she clung to Bells and Karon, afraid that if she let go, she'd lose her friend all over again.

[Kella]

For a few moments, Sebastian's mind lingered in the world of his music. It was a softer place, based on intuition, defeated rather than encouraged by the sharp analyticism which dominated every other aspect of Sebastian's mind. Except, perhaps, his relationship with Bellinda. That, like drawing music from the piano, was more of an art than a science.

The blindfolded man was the perfect picture of Jedi composure, his companion rather more like a puppy. A puppy that appreciated Sebastian's art collection. He smiled, less at the appeal of her antics and more at the reminder of his wealth.

The man could barely speak a word before Bellinda's advent. As had happened often in his history with the little woman, Bellinda surprised him. Bellinda threw herself to them as old friends, and the man's breath caught and the girl dissolved into sobs. Mildly obnoxious.

More concerning. He'd called her Bells. The implications of this settled with a sour sensation. Bells was far too pretty a nickname for the little woman. Perhaps this man had known her as such, once, but she was not the same as she had been then. Sebastian had made sure of that.

Somewhat disgusted by the overpouring of emotion in the reunion -- as was the only logical conclusion for what he was witnessing -- Sebastian stepped around the tangle of arms to a small liquor cabinet and poured himself a scotch.

"Friends of yours, Lin?" he asked as the blubbering faded.

[Moonfire]

Bellinda for a long moment merely held the pair against her sparse chest, relishing the overwhelming warmth. The hard, worn callouses of Karon's hands wrapping about her shoulders, Halli's smaller, clingier gripping at the very fabric of her elaborate gown as though fearful they would be ripped apart unceremoniously as she wept into her bony, jagged collar. A long, long breath filled and left Bellinda as she marveled at the auras that swirled and obscured her entire vision.

So many questions danced across her lips and mind as her frail body all but was crushed between the pair, knee protesting beneath the sudden shock of Halli's vice like grip and shuddering gasps of emotion.

Karon and Halli enveloped the young cripple with their sheer presence, both so hauntingly familiar yet incredibly, frighteningly different than she remembered.

The man, a tall, strapping Miraluka, he was 19 last she saw him, more boy than anything else. Now he was nothing but strong, nothing but there and his whirling essence showed the change wasn't just skin deep. Still unsure, his aura moving in a hypnotic, yet erratic way, he now had strength behind his movements. His voice had deepened further, his hands where the same though. Rough, and worn, yet smooth over the thick pads of protective flesh that held her close. His voice wavered as he called her name, an edge of fear followed by the relief, washing away the years of bitterness held close to his heart.

Halli's exuberance, like sunshine spilled out in haphazard waves across the crowd, licking like flames as she sobbed and gripped and held. She had changed so much in the time apart. No longer sticky with paint, yet still so tiny. So childlike. In a moment of stunning, queer clarity Bellinda realized she was smaller than Halli now. Shorter, more breakable. How strong Bellinda had felt all those years ago as Halycon's protector, now dwarfed by the fullfledged Jedi.

Yet, there was something else. A fear, a hurt that lingered just out of sight. But Bellinda couldn't touch on that. Not yet. The differences were outstanding, her dear friends weren't children any longer.

"This is surreal." She whispered, like a secret just to the pair, a soft tinkled of laughter leaving her painted lips as her free hand worked its way into the blonde's soft, cropped hair.

Glass tinkled behind them, liquid filling a crystal glass and the sharp, spicy scent of scotch pierce the moment, Sebastian's velvety voice bringing forth the question that required no real answer.

Freeing herself, gently though reluctantly from the Jedi, the tiny woman smiled towards her lover, her partner, fixing her hair with a long nailed finger before returning to her usual cool composure, only a wide, sparkling smile across her gaunt face betrayed her.

"Sebastian, these are two of my dearest friends from my Jedi days. Karon Merritt and Halcyon Price. I haven't seen them in ages, please forgive my intrusion dear, I haven't seen them in years." Her head swung back to the pair, grin widening to its apex.

[Kella]

GZP stock was down by three points this morning, and Sebastian knew a significant subset of the investment market was waiting to see how he'd react. He could swing the stock market either way, selling his shares would trash the stock, then he could pick it back up again and sell it when it inevitably recovered. Or he could keep his stock, fight the drop, and sell it directly. Ruffik would also have an influence, though and Trufra Terrano's pyramid scheme had about a month left in its life.

"Sebastian, these are two of my dearest friends from my Jedi days. Karon Merritt and Halcyon Price. I haven't seen them in ages, please forgive my intrusion dear, I haven't seen them in years."

"How charming," Sebastian purred. Aderes was also trying to play the stock market, but he was running out of funds. Sebastian could organize a windfall for him, that would be interesting. He took another sip of scotch. This was a good batch, his investments in those companies which provided vices were doing well. There was an auction coming up soon, a few piece years were rumored to be making an appearance, Sebastian figured he'd go snap them up, less out of his own desire and more to infuriate Plutan Erek. If nothing else, he could share them with a few who-- or, well, there was also Bellinda, that would prove amusing. NAR stock was up by six points, but it would be crashing in six and a half months, give or take a few days. Pram Co had kickstart investment and marketing on their side but their products were mere novelties, and despite their current success would soon be forgotten. There was paint on the female Jedi's clothes, that explained her amateurish fascination. A pretty little thing, he supposed, but far too naive and soft for Sebastian's tastes. The Miralukan man, however, he had an eye for her. And Bellinda.

There would be an art expo in Coruscant the following month, Sebastian would pay a visit, whether publicly or covertly he had yet to decide.

Jessoin would be missing Bellinda and appearing soon. In anticipation, Sebastian took another drink, this one significantly longer.

[Dutch]

(OoC: Gonna hold on Halli for next post :3)

Jessoin grinned as his call ended. With a bleep the holocomm was clipped to his belt again, the metal clinked against his lightsaber. Green eyes stared out across the view of Sebastian's as he felt the couple go about their business. The sound of the piano roaring had the Zelosian sigh in appreciation. He was lucky to have befriended the pair, too many of the Sith and their allies were too into their plots to enjoy the finer things in life. Not so the case with Seb and Bellinda. It was only when a pair of new presences were felt did the man break his appreciation of the sea. An eyebrow would quirk as he turned his attentions to them. Force users. Jedi

His smile would turn predatory as he stood there and felt a burst of emotion bellow out from inside the house. He let his presence absorb the shock and pain felt by the group, sipping it as he was his wine earlier. It was clear that he slid under their radar, Bellinda herself an obvious distraction to the pair. However one such as Jessoin Zarander didn't hide his presence (nor could he). He would chuckle and remove himself from the balcony railing. With long strides he walked back into the house, his boots thudding dully on the expensive flooring. A light hum would reverberate through him as he approached, the glint in his eye betraying his thoughts. Jedi were a problem, if they left they would betray the fact that the upstanding citizen that was Sebastian ran with the Sith. And the knowledge of Sith so deep in the Core would certainly send off red flags to the enemy Order.

He did his best to hold back his pace, his instinct telling him to rush into the room with lightning blasting from his hands. The Zelosian was certain though that the couple would not appreciate him tearing apart the place with his powers. But that didn't mean he couldn't kill the Jedi. With each step Jess began to pool the Force into him, coiling it within and around his presence in preparation. With a slow inhale Jessoin turned the corner to meet up with the group, a large knowing smile on his lips as his green eyes took in the sights. Bellinda stood there embracing the two Jedi, a curious and delightfully ironic sight. The Sith and the Jedi united at last, how sweet. He grinned hungrily down at the blonde, and tilted his head at the bald Jedi. Another Miraluka, no wonder the pair were friends... or perhaps more than that. It was clear they were both young Knights, and as Jess stepped over to Sebastian he chortled softly.

"Well well, seems our beloved little bird has some interesting friends indeed."

Jess stopped at the bar and poured himself a scotch without permission. After he clinked his glass against Seb's the Zelosian kicked back the drink in a single gulp. Jessoin smacked his lips in satisfaction and set the glass down. He turned to rest himself against the bar with his hands rested on it. There would be no hiding what he was, the dark robes and lightsaber at his belt a clear indication of what he was. Instead Jess smiled smugly at the trio. He turned his gaze to Bellinda with an almost bored expression.

"All done visiting B? Shall I kill them now? I'll make it quick. For him at least." He said with a nod towards the bald Jedi.

[Swamps]

A silky voice caused Bellinda to ease herself free from their embrace, leaving Karon to marvel at her mere being there. Her aura was the same as it always had been, glowing and swirling with the whims of her active mind. But amongst the fiery glow there was something else. Something... wrong.

Cracks and splinters: the scars of change and of exposure. Dark dregs and ruptures made almost invisible by her swirling soul but evident to Karon's practised vision, he knew her aura well and it was different. His mind once again took to musing; theories of dark possibility and innocent explanation churning into a mix of confusion which Karon regarded with some shame.

He had thought her dead and not a day had gone by without something reminding him of his 'deceased' friend. Pangs of guilt and of longing had become commonplace and thorny companions. But now she was here, and all he could do was think.

A smile crossed his lips. Bellinda was talking to Mr. Monroe about something or other but a single word caught in his ear: dear. That was new. But he was happy for her. They had always talked of leaving the Order and each time they had concluded that it was too risky, too dangerous. Maybe he had been wrong.

Wrong.

Something was wrong.

Karon could feel it before he saw it. A stalking presence moving towards them, something heavy and predatory moving in the Force. It seemed to writhe as it slipped closer and flares of freewheeling emotion arced from its surface, a miniature sun. Desire, wrath, spite. Karon's skin crawled and he reached for his Lightsaber, thick fingers finding the dark wood of its engraved hilt with ease. Karon felt the currents of the Force shift and spiral, pooling inside of the thing with frightening speed. Whoever or whatever it was, they were well-practised and most certainly a Sith. Their aura was dark and, if described, corrupted would have not been appropriate when looking upon the magnitude of the taint that swirled within it.

"Well well, seems our beloved little bird has some interesting friends indeed."

The words were disgustingly slick, and if he could have touched them Karon would have wanted to wash several times over after doing so. His musings accelerated and, with a fervour he had not felt in months , began calculating silently.

The creature moved towards the bar and after fooling with some of Mr. Monroe's liquor found itself leaning nonchalantly against its top. Karon didn't need to look into his aura to perceive how grotesque the man's arrogance was or how dark his intentions were, they practically spilled forth from him. The man was obvious in his alignment but made him question Bellinda's. The strains and cracks he had spotted earlier weighing heavily on his mind.

"I could say the same."

Karon spoke, firm voice touting control that was very much a facade. Inside Karon whirled and shook, attempting to wrestle control of his mind and temper in the face of such challenge.

"All done visiting B? Shall I kill them now? I'll make quick. For him at least."

Karon stepped between Halli and the creature at the bar. Fear and focus caused his thoughts to fall into place. Instead of rumination he now found determination and focus, a goal. Protect his friends.

"I'll make sure to extend you the same courtesy..."

In a quick movement his Lightsaber was ignited and flexed by a practised hand, its dull yellow beam casting unwavering shadows across his chiseled face and rigid form. He was ready.

"...if it comes to it."

Karon added, a tilt of his head punctuating the utterances status as an afterthought. He had been taught to ply peace wherever he could but something told him that the creature before him would mock the term, let alone Karon's attempts at achieving it.