Why Does The Floor Move?

[Fromikeable]

Historically speaking, the Zabrak were an interesting group of people. Their history was rare; while there was everything from civil wars to grand, planet-unifying tales of cooperation, there was no single, defining point of their species. Humans had the Republic, Duros had hyperdrives, Corellians had starships, Zeltrons had love and lust…

But the Zabrak? They were never so constrained, it seemed.

Perhaps it was rather that the rest of the galaxy wasn’t as constrained as it liked to think. Take Rase for example. Here he was, hiking a mountain trail, his trusted hat on his head, a bag of tools and papers slung across his shoulders, and an incognito Sith Lady in tow. Whether or not the galaxy was constrained was moot; it certainly had a sense of humor.

“Not much further, Lidah.” He pointed up their path, motioning at a curve. As they came about it, their destination came into view; a small, stone structure carved into a cliff face, the features weathered and dull in the bright sunlight of the mid-morning. The elaborately-carved entrance sat between two enormous guarding statues, each with a spear in hand, a stalwart expression hidden mostly under massive helmets and armor. The sentries looked equally weathered, their duty clearly taking a toll on them. Even still, they stood straight and unyielding, eyes peering downward at the entrance in eternal vigil.

And yet, a duo of large speeders sat outside, contrasting the place’s age, and giving away that they were far from the first people there. This time, that was expected, however. This wasn’t another lost city or even an uncharted tomb; it was a well-documented archaeological site, with people moving in and out in busy work, hauling equipment, artifacts, and tools this way and that. Regular xenoarchaeologists of all shapes and sizes…

It was too bad they didn’t know about what Rase had discovered. He would tell them after he gave his own miniature tour.

So he just grinned. “I apologize. I know it isn’t an abandoned city filled with wailing souls, homicidal maniacs, and holocrons, but…” He looked back at his partner, displaying his teeth.

“I supposed you could use a little less excitement these days.”

[Neology]

Darth Novus trailed along behind Dr. Hyul, shaking her head when he used her given name. Still, a wry smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She liked the way he said it. She wondered about their destination. Rase wouldn't say. Apparently, it was supposed to be a surprise.

The hike wasn't bad. Her body went through the rote motions, kicking up dust and weighed down by her backpack. It contained nothing more exotic than a modest lunch for two people.

Taris was still much on her mind, sneaking in during moments of idleness. Not guilt exactly, but the sense that it could have been done better. She should have tested the Czerka devices, but where? The rakghoul problem was unique to Taris. While some samples of the plague did occasionally it offworld, those outbreaks tended to follow a pattern, burning out like a bad fever. They flourished on Taris like nowhere else. Something dark in the planet's heart, Novus felt. She dreamt of it. Scrabbling in the endless tunnels, red eyes and oily skin the color of a fish's belly.

Rase presented a whole new set of worries, better for not having happened yet. There was nothing worse then hindsight.

“Ah. I suppose that's alright, just this once.” The view was nice, the slanting morning sun painting shadows on the layered stone. Parked speeders drew her eye and she blew out her breath, amused.

“Dirtying my boots just for the fun of it, Doctor?” She stepped up beside him. “What are we looking at?” Educating always seemed to her Rase's natural state, a view no doubt influenced by the circumstances of their first meeting.

[Fromikeable]

“For nothing? Gods, no.” Rase plucked off his hat, wiping his forehead and giving a mock look of offense. Huffing as the fabric returned to the crown of his head, he closed his eyes and held up his chin in slight indignance.

“Is it so wrong for a man to take in the sights of a beautiful land?” His eyes noticeably flicked down at her legs, giving a very knowing grin. Even still, he waved her forward, beginning to walk down the pass once again, the structure growing with every step.

Indeed she was right, however, and with a nigh-professorly tone, the Zeltron cleared his throat and began to speak. His voice sounded less like a lesson, however, and more as though he was spinning a great tale of epic proportions; the kind of endearing electricity a child might speak of their story with.

“This, my good Lidah, is the Traskian Monastery, known about the planet as the Great Haug.” Gesturing up at the towering twin warriors, the red wrist would roll as he went on. “These fine gentlemen are the Golden Monks. The Traskians were an interesting cult, to say the least. Preachers of dominance and superiority through merit, and yet known for their plutocracy and gentle ways.” His wrist rolled again. “You could think of them as… a fusion of two more popular cults of our own age. Great proclamations of might and power, and yet practices of debatable selflessness and humanitarianism.”

They finally came upon the structure, and the Zeltron unquestioningly lead his companion inside. The giant opening entered into a grand hallway supported on either side by solid, engraved pillars equally weathered with age. To one side around one such pillar, a few people of mixed races mingled around equipment. One of them, a short Duros man, noticed the newcomers, immediately putting his things down and moving to greet them.

“Dr. Jones. You’re late, as usual.”

“Dr. Hyul to you, Dr. Kazbak.” With another grin, the men shook hands, with the Duros’ looking noticeably dusty and worn. They had clearly interrupted some work.

“Allow me to introduce Miss Kana Rorstark, heiress to the Rorstark fortune.”

“Ahhhhh yes.” The Duro quickly wiped his hand on a small cloth before extending it toward Novus, making it noticeably less grimy. “A pleasure, Miss… may I call you Kana?” He nodded at Rase. “I’m sorry that you had to travel all the way from Coruscant with this one. I hope you had other, less… ‘talkative’ company along the way.”

“You flatter me, Doctor.”

“Oh stuff it Hyul.” The Duro chuckled warmly, finally relaxing a bit.