keeping the blade

[Neology]

((OOC: For Mara and Sparrow, sorry about the wait and the length. Wanted to get something up for you guys before I got too busy with weekend-stuff. ^^; ))

Unable to sleep, Novus paced the halls of the new temple with no particular destination in mind, rubbing the side of her head with one hand. Her movements were all but silent, no more then the whisper of robes over polished stone, yet she made no effort to hide her presence through the force, having no wish to find out just how jumpy the temple's new denizens might prove to be. Shaking her head, the woman folded her arms under her bust, hiding chilled fingertips in the sleeves of her robes, and made her way toward one of the open training areas.

Stepping out into the light of four moons, Novus flashed a fierce smile at those celestial bodies, calling to mind other times, less pleasant, that she'd stood beneath these and their three sister-moons. Truly, the Lady had little love for Korriban, despite the planet's importance to Sith past and present. Several months of living in its caves, with nothing but the wind (which at times sounded much too human) for company, had all but driven the then-recently fallen jedi mad. Those events had served a purpose, though - left her desperate and pliable to the revolting man Everos sent for her. Her smile became mirthless at that thought, and that of its alternative. 'No, better this by far, then another sad pile of bones, hidden in rock and sand. Though such a path is of course, not for everyone.' Novus glanced to the north, able to sense the new students and masters alike in the dormitory, though she lacked the gift of seeing through walls that some possessed. She paid those there no more then the briefest touch of awareness before pulling back, unsure of her feelings on the order's swift growth.

'There were perhaps half as many when I last left Iniquitous and Paxis! Ah, and more then a few these surely wont be happy as 'initiates' for long. I do not envy Iniquitous the task of keeping the peace. Knowing Eurachis, he's going to be lording that new title over anyone with an ounce of prior training. I really don't think that man had the same teaching I did!' The Arkanian ran a hand through her hair in a rare showing of frustration. Surely, this was not the time to be making enemies. The Republic and its Jedi defenders would be more then enough of a challenge as is.

[sparrow]

The new rooms were stuffy and dusty. Maybe they wouldn't be after the all the construction settled down, though Zarene Yin wasn't going to keep her hopes up. For now, she wandered out into one of the open hallways for some fresh air, wrapping her cloak around her tightly. For a planet that was so hot during the day, it got surprisingly cold outside at night. If she had had two organic hands to rub together for warmth she would have.

The atmosphere of the rooms wasn't the only reason she was awake that night. The recent changes in her life gave her a lot to think about, and for her, having a lot on her mind and insomnia seemed to go hand in hand. Just yesterday she had witnessed the formal promotions of four Sith Lords, saw once again the initiates that had gathered at the new temple, the ones who had actually returned from successful missions anyways.

Smart move, she thought. A good number of those that had been at the earlier gathering never returned, and she didn't miss them. Most had been utter lunatics, spending more time sulking and cackling, posturing and making absurd speeches, in an attempt to show off how "dark" they were instead of actually getting anything done.

Good riddance. They didn't belong here.

But did she?

"I'm not one of you." That was the first thing she had said to Darth Paxis when she had first met him. She had remembered the tales of the old Sith, decrepit creatures always slinking around in the shadows, always fighting, backstabbing, killing for no rhyme or reason. Maybe a good place for those others. Not for her.

But Paxis and Iniquistous stood for something different. They spoke of a new world. A better world. They promised.... And for that promise she gave her allegiance. She would strive towards the goal, and if it meant having to work with some lunatics and madmen along the way, then so be it.

She lay on the cold, stone ground, gazing up at the sky, the thoughts running through her head. Suddenly, a sound. The rhythmic sound of footsteps. If her ears had not been so close to the ground she might have missed it. Someone was coming.

[Mara]

[... from Dark Ascension]



It was the middle of the night on the planet known as Korriban. Looma Isana's first full night in the newly reconstructed Sith Temple after the ceremony promoting Sith Masters into the inner sanctum and she couldn't sleep. The yellow-toned Twi'lek had been on the planet for about a month now, most of her time having been taken up with constructing the large stone building she now lay awake in, staring at the equally stone ceiling.

She pulled her threadbare blanket closer. Despite having been there for such a long time already, Looma still hadn't gotten a chance to dress in anything different than what she came from Bakura in. Luckily for her Korriban was only cold at night, and so her agricorps clothing didn't impede her much, such as was left of it. Her sturdy brown boots were scuffed beyond belief with small tears in the soles. Her similarly colored leggings and tunic were also torn in places, mainly due to the temple construction, than from any old work on Bakura. Even her ornate headband--the only thing of any style she had ever worn--was weather-beaten, the Twi'leki runes hard to read.

But her clothing wasn't the cause of her sleeplessness. It had been the ceremony the day before. Four Sith had been promoted to the title of Darth, and Looma had just stood there watching, listening, hoping to understand everything. She was still rather new to this Order, trying to sort things out. There were similarities to the Jedi Order, where she had been banished from, but only glimpses.

Looma wondered how this Darth Iniquitous, even with his new four Masters, would ever be able to take care of all the initiates on Korriban. Looma had never counted them, but they were numerous. She would guess at least a hundred of them, maybe two. All of them with various levels of skill. Some like herself were novices, the equivalent of Jedi younglings. Others were greatly adept, though still had a lot to learn, like the ones who had taken her, Caleb and the other workers from Bakura. Still others were more powerful and masterful in the dark side of the Force, like that Shard and Cho Wroth she had met a couple weeks earlier during the construction.

And so she lay on her bed, wondering if she would be one of the lucky ones chosen to be trained by one of the Dark Lords or Ladies, or even one of those at the same level as a Jedi Master would be. Or if she would instead be stuck in a class full of other students, not getting the one-on-one attention she thought she deserved. Looma believed she was one of the more skilled initiates, even if she had only been trained through her 13th year at the Jedi Temple.

Sick of laying there, Looma thought about looking for Cal in his room, but then decided against it. Though she missed him, not seeing him much in the month since their arrival here, she didn't want to disturb him. Her heart ached with a loss she never thought she would have felt in her life. Sighing, she quietly got up out of bed, taking the thin blanket with her as she wandered the halls, eventually finding a doorway to the outside.

The moons were shining up in the sky, and she took a deep breath of the brisk air, hoping it would give herself a clear mind, to calm herself so that she could go back to sleep. But for the moment the yellow Twi'lek was content to stand a few meters from the Temple, taking in the view and letting the wind brush her lekku.

[Zarkan]

Even during the day the temple was deserted being built for easily triple it's current number of occupants now at in the dark of night the empty halls became shadowed galleries full of towering shadows and eerie breezes. Zarnia Tugged her insulated cloak around her as the chill bit at her body leaving her with only the sound of her foot falls and the feeling of her nose and finger's being slowly frozen. The young woman wormed her lower face under the cloak's collar she cursed sleeping all day after arriving early in the morning from her mission.

She slowly wondered her way worming through columned halls and domed training rooms and eventually out into the open valley the temple set within. Zarnia's pupils dilated as the light of korriban's moons flooded her eyes despite still standing in the shadows of the yet unfinished sith temple. Her eyes slid over the rim of the cliff flanking the temple before lowering her eyes to the ruin strewn plain surrounding the temple for several miles in all directions.

The woman sighed as she leaned tiredly against a stone post which arose from the ground along the pat she walked much like it's brothers. Numerous blocks and pillars seemed to stand a vigil around the temple zarnia had noticed though whether it was symbolic or just remains of older structures was as always on Korriban difficult to tell. The sound of foot steps to her left brought her attention to the arch she had stepped through a few moments before leaving zarnia with hardly enough time to slide into the shadows of a pillar before a woman came into view from within the temple. Zarnia had made a point to avoid most of her fellow students while she and roamed to her own dormitory she knew what most dark jedi where like and wanted no part of it. For now she'd blend into the background and see if this dark jedi was any different.

[Foxfire]

Slowly and shaky the transport ship lowered. What normally took only a ten minutes, was stretched out to twenty. Cho's lack of skill showed badly. Landing in optimal conditions was one thing but he was landing in a shadowed crag of rocky terrain. When about 5 feet from touch down the ship thrusters powered up and died. With a bone jarring thud it settled on it struts.

A sigh and hiss was heard from the ship as if it was alive and great full to have survived the trip. The ramp then hissed in complaint. Dropping down on the heated surface, the interior air flooded out. The air still frozen from it's time at Zoist. Cho slowly walked down the ramp covered in the deep fur hides that he took from the native species that roamed the mountains of Zoist. His appearance was like a very short wampa, but his air and his gaunt was changed even more. A icy feeling of death hung over him.

He moved toward the temple entrance. His now icy persona and the lean build of a ice creature is all that he would revel. Even time seemed to have no effect upon him. Dream-like he walked. A dream for some a nightmare for others. As Cho reached the bottom steps he sniffed the air and a hidden smile breached his face.

Through the force he stroked Looma's face, an icy touch as a razor gliding gently along the skin. He then turned his attention to the other female who was trying to hide from what it seemed like everyone and no one.

Cho let his flow of the force to rise and hit a peak like sounding a bell through the force as if ring a bell to signal his return.

[Neology]

Pale eyes watched the descending ship, brows lifting in interest as its dubious condition became apparent. A few more moments of study and it was easy enough to guess where the pilot was trying to land – thankfully far enough from the temple to avoid any nasty mischance. The Dark Lady turned sharply on her heel, inclining her head toward the pillar. 'Evidently I'm not the only one unable to sleep tonight.' A small smile pulled at the woman's lips, a long with a vague worry that she was subject to too much gossip already. She was loathe to resort to base means of 'proving her worth to be here', as Iniquitous had warned off in his speech earlier this day, but she would if she had to. Better, for now, to behave as though it wasn't necessary and deal with the problem when it surfaced.

”I can appreciate wanting to stay out of sight, but you're here, so I call you to attend upon me. I do not recognize that ship. Let's save the guards the trouble and go see what they want.” Novus gave a slight nod and began to make her way toward the front of the temple, taking a somewhat convoluted route in order to make similar demands of the two other initiates she sensed on the way.

She stepped back out into the night air with a slight shiver, ignoring the wary looks shot her way by the guards on either side of the entrance. Her attention settled on the noghri, taking in his strange clothing with some measure of curiousity – Korriban was cold at night, but not to that extent. His presence in the force was strange as well, seeming to reach briefly for the twi'lek before flaring into some sort of signal.

”There is no need to wake anyone else, noghri. I am Novus, one of those so recently named by Iniquitous. Speak, and I will hear you.”

((OOC: Now that we're all together *hopefully*, writing replies should be easier for me. xD))

[Foxfire]

On hearing Novus voice Cho silenced his force power, shutting it down until none remained. Silently in the force and in sound Cho slowly walked over to the Sith Lady Novus. Removing the deep furred coat and laying it at her feet, Cho knelled.

Lady Novus I have returned after setting provisions and defensives at the Citadel of Zoist. If needed one can start to use Zoist for training or a fall back base.

Cho removed his dual saber and laid it down on the fur coat.

My sword and my being are rotting away. The once boiling hot emotions have became frozen as the mountains of Zoist. Time has no hold, and my life has become a living death. If your will with the Dark Will's blessing my I be used. ...... For a weapon is useless if it not wielded for it original purpose.

An eerie calm came over him and once again his former master spoke, ........

You have finally chosen your path to use or to be used. I had hoped the former rather than the later, but we meet to late. May you protect these as you did me.

Cho's being shuttered and he seemed to grow even colder and the feel of death could be felt even stronger through the force. His masters passing from the connection they had made was the last remembrance of what made Cho. No longer knowing what he was or what he would do he waited and would wait even far past his death to serve the Lords and Ladies of the Sith.

[sparrow]

Well, this should be interesting, Zarene thought. Of all the people to be still awake that night, she hadn't expected one of the new masters. Novus,... yes, that was what her name was. Zarene's curiosity was now piqued, so when Novus beckoned, she got up, dusted herself off, and followed.

The moonlight flickered and danced across the uneven surface of her face as she walked through the hallways near the great columns. They were joined by several others. First was a yellow twi'lek, Looma, whom Zarene had met on Bakura. Zarene gave her a glance with a slightly raised eyebrow. Now wasn't the time to talk but she would be sure to exchange a few words with her later. The second was someone who had been there when Zarene was first introduced to this new Sith Order, Zarnia. She hadn't seen very much of her after that though.

Along with the others, she looked upon the new arrival, a Noghri. Zarene had never met him before, though he seemed to know Looma. He seemed to be powerful in the Force, though perhaps not entirely right in the head given his odd behavior. She remained silent, listening and observing.

[Mara]

Looma was just enjoying a rare moment looking up into the sky at the numerous clouds, her blanket pulled tightly around her against the cold when something else came into her peripheral vision. A dark object. As it came closer she recognized it as some sort of ship. Intrigued, she turned her gaze towards it, forgetting the stars. At the same time the yellow Twi'lek opened up to the Force a little bit, trying to feel the state of mind of the pilot, but the distance was far too great. However, she felt some other minds, closer. Three of them, two nearby. One very powerful.

Her mind distracted from the ship a few moments, she didn't see it land. Suddenly she shivered involuntary, a cold chill running up her spine. There was no wind, but a hint of the Force behind the feeling. Looma wasn't sure what to do, simultaneously wanting to run back inside to her room and hoping to stay to satisfy her curiosity. But it didn't last long, as the being exiting the ship was clear in her mind as if it was day: Cho Wroth, the Nogrhi. She had met him weeks earlier during the Temple construction, and now she wondered where he had been. But not wholly; Looma wanted to keep her distance.

A voice interrupted her thoughts of the Noghri. It was coming from the powerful presence she had sensed moments before. She reacting by turning to look for the woman, surprised to recognize one of the four from the ceremony the previous morning. A sense of indecision rippled her features and lekku before she could put a name to the face: Novus, newest of the Dark Ladies. Not wanting to disobey, though she knew it wasn't an order, she came away from her spot near the Temple doorway, finding that the two others had heeded her call. Two females, one she didn't recognize, the other she did. The dark Jedi from Bakura. Looma couldn't help but smile slightly at seeing her. Enemies now turned allies.

She felt another chill, seeing that Cho was joining them, Lady Novus speaking to him. But Looma couldn't feel his power and anger any more. A wave of relief came over the Twi'lek at that notice. She hoped in the company of the Lady, she would be safe from anything violent that the Nogrhi might pull. She contented herself to stand by, listening.

[Jenno]

It was night now and the sun that turned bone to dust had retreated beyond the horizon, moving to a position where it could flank the denizens of the Sith Temple when morning came. It had been an important day for the Sith Order, promotions were distributed to some of the longest serving apprentices, they had been acknowledged for their power and attainment, and in the process earned themselves a position in the Inner Sanctum, positions saved only for the most powerful and important of the Sith. Caleb, however, had missed this spectacle during the day, he had been studying and engrossed within the teachings he had begun receiving as part of this Order. It was good to learn and study again, it came back to him naturally and already he was able to absorb the information he’d been given with relative ease. Whilst he had not attended this sudden gathering like many of his peers, he had felt the oppressive presence of many powerful force users from the peak of the temple. In fact the dark heat that crept through the air had struck him with a cold sweat. To most he was little more than a blip on their radar, if that.

But this was his opportunity to change things. It was over a month now since he had been saved from Bakura with Looma, rescued from the repetitive, degrading and meaningless life that would have held them for eternity. It had been a tough month for him, since at first their lessons had been few, only the construction of the temple had been their focus. He had to thank Looma for her help expanding his ability with telekinesis; he was at least able to provide some meagre morsel of support when a group of them attempted to move some of the larger materials around. For the most part though, Caleb had resorted to what he knew best, manual labour. It had done wonders for his fitness, moving those heavy objects under the never-ending heat had seen his muscle bulk increase slightly and he had managed to observe his arms, chest and stomach as they became more toned and defined. Not only this but his endurance and stamina had been pushed to new limits. He exerted his abilities through the Force when he could, simply to keep in practice, but his input in that area was barely noticeable.

However, their lessons had begun now and Caleb could feel the tightened clamp around his connection to the Force gradually loosen. He was close now, so very close to making a step forward, a step in the right direction, a step he hadn’t been able to take for almost a decade now. Whilst the lessons were helpful, he knew that soon he would have to try and seek out a master, something that wasn’t likely to work out for him. He was not a prized pupil that a master could boast; in fact he was more likely to be laughed at for his embarrassing control of the Force. He had his ability with plants and animals, but if he was going to impress a potential master then he would have to further his skills in the areas they would actually witness.

Korriban was not a healthy environment for Caleb, despite the physical affects the dust and sand could have on his lungs, he was feeling a lot more isolated than he had ever thought possible. Everywhere he had been in his life, Naboo, the Jedi Temple, Bakura, all of these places provided him with access to plentiful plant life which he could interact with on a daily basis. But on this dead rock there was nothing for him to connect with. If there had ever been any life sprouting from the grounds of Korriban then they had long since turned to dust. For a time he had felt isolated upon Bakura, but there was always a safety net for him, communing with the plants calmed his mind, let him be at peace with his thoughts. But now he felt constantly tired, like the vibrant edge of his soul had been worn down by the beatings of the lessons, labour and relentless heat. His mind had become more erratic and he would have thought to seek comfort with the animals if those down in the tombs were not so dangerous and numerous. It had been a while since he had properly connected with a beast and these were strong powerful creatures twisted by decades of dark unnatural energy. If something were to go wrong he didn’t have the skill to look after himself.

Nor did he have the weaponry. Caleb could feel the training saber resting upon his thigh. He had not practiced his form much with it, except to familiarize himself with the feel of things once more. The blue blade reminded him of his old practice weapon at the Jedi temple, he had never stood out with its usage, but he was at least capable enough with it. The thought of creating his own lightsaber seemed somehow indescribably distant. But there was much he still had to work towards.

Now aware of how his mind had drifted from his studying, Caleb let out a deep breath of air and stretched his arms. They were aching from a combination of the recent physical work and also from sitting in the same place for too long. Looking to the bed in what was now labelled as his ‘room’ the young initiate didn’t feel that subconscious pull towards it signifying that he was tired. In fact, he was quite awake, but his mind had been on a thought marathon and needed a break. Perhaps the air outside the temple would calm his soul, it wouldn’t have the same affect as the plants would but right now he’d take anything.

Caleb stood up and ran his hand through that soft and scruffy dirty blonde hair, knocking it into an even messier angle where it would stay until its next encounter with his perusing digits. He was no longer wearing the cheap and torn clothes from Bakura, he hadd been wearing them for the past few weeks until he realised how little of his upper body was actually covered by what remained of the rags. Now he wore one of the sets of initiate garments that were starting to go into circulation. The dark thin cloth was not a favourite of his, but it wasn’t something he was willing to cause an issue over. He wasn’t wearing the full issued set of clothes; some of the top layered garments were resting idly at various places around his room. After a quick glance around, Caleb made his way out of the chamber and to the entrance of the temple.

There was an air of eeriness about the place that would usually have made Caleb a little wary. The dark shadows that formed mutated creatures upon the wall and floor no longer made his heart alter its pattern in any way. There was something about this place that made him feel… safe, a warm sense of belonging within the boy that no longer made him cautious of the things he once would have been. As he paced through the corridors of the Sith Temple, Caleb looked and felt as though he was meant to be there.

It didn’t take long for him to work his way to the temple’s main entrance. He might have considered going to the top of the temple for his breath of air but he had no doubt the floor would still be hot from the dark energies that gathered there earlier. He wanted calm and peace for only a few moments. Suddenly his feet were making their first descent down the stairway that led to the night. It was as he made his way down these stairs that he first saw the clouded figures as they gathered in the darkness, the gentle glow from the temple’s entrance fell short of the group, meaning that Caleb couldn’t make out any of their faces. But now that he had stepped out from the slumber of his thoughts he was able to feel the presence of those before him.

He might not have been the strongest with his ability to sense others, nor was he often able to distinguish between the subtle differences of each person’s presence, but now he was able to feel something quite prominently. He was assaulted by the strength of one particular person; their essence through the Force filled him and threatened to smother him before he was able to reign in some meagre sense of protection against the powerful radiance. One of the crowd was extremely strong, gifted in the Force to a level that he could never hope to attain. As his feet finally trailed onto the cool dark sand, Caleb paused for a few moments and simply gazed at the converging group. It was then he caught a glimmer in the star light of two long and pale lekku.

His heart raced for a few moments. Was that Looma he saw standing amongst the crowd? He could feel her now through the Force, their connection making it possible for him to sense her even with his barely conceivable skills. But there was that gentle warmth that he would recognise on even the hottest of days. Without much thought he made his way towards this group, his eyes streaming through the darkness in an attempt to land a gracious glance upon the soft skinned twi’lek.

As he left the safety and security of the temple’s glow, Caleb seemed unfazed by the cold breeze even though it caused the hair on his arm to stand erect. He had to confirm with his own eyes that Looma was here and then he’d be content simply staying by her side until this meeting or, whatever was taking place, was over. A few fateful steps further and finally the soft starlight began to filter through the darkness that had enveloped them all.

With that light now at hand, Caleb could make out the details of the twi’lek he’d spotted from before, her skin was ghastly pale under the stars. But there was a softness to her facial expression that brought an endearing warmth upon his body. He could see her face, her lekku and the farming clothes that she still wore. He smiled, whether it was at the fact she still wore those old rags or because he could see her once more was uncertain. Whatever it was, he was struck with a joy that calmed him more than any breath of air could have. He paced onwards, intently focused upon her and none of the others. Now an arm’s reach away his hand tingled with anticipation as he gently laid it to rest upon her shoulder for a few moments. “Looma?” he asked, even though he was fully aware that it was her. “Is that really you?” he questioned, wary in his mind that exhaustion might have played some cruel trick upon him.

His hand slipped away from its perch, the light from above revealing just how tight the undergarments were against his body. He wasn’t aware of it himself but the last few weeks of tough and dedicated work were now visible. He now became conscious of the group around him, faces he had seen before, the woman who had confronted both himself and Looma on Bakura, and faces he had not. It was these he looked at closer, first was the lightly graced face of another female, she seemed to hold very little love in her eyes but a coldness that threatened to freeze him.

But next his gaze fell upon the face of a demon. At least, that was how the noghri appeared to young Caleb. Amongst the files of the Jedi Archives he had studied and come to know many of the races that were apart of the Universe, but this was not a species he had come across in the library. It was the way the creature’s face caught the shadows, the contours and crevices spawned great dark maws upon his eyes and down the lines of his cheeks. He looked as though he were possessed by some ancient dark magic, powerful and older than any sun. For a moment fear struck Caleb and he had to forcefully maintain composure whilst looking upon that fearful portrait. The expression that presented seemed to suggest this monster enjoyed the darkness which had perverted his face. The young initiate hoped that this alien would allow his face to be caught in the starlight but for a moment, so that the tremblings of his heart could be soothed.

Finally his eyes trailed upon the final figure of the group. She was one of the tallest amongst them and her posture spoke of strength, power and certainty. At their current proximity he was able to clarify that she was the source of that strong presence he had felt earlier. As his stare wove its way up her pale grey robes, on to the black lace-up vest she wore over them and finally to her face he expected to see some cracked and crooked expression, ruptured by the evil energies of the dark side. He anticipated scars, gaping wounds that were infected and seeping a vile contingent of both puss and thick black oozing blood. That was how he was told the dark side would affect a person’s body, corrupting it until it was left rotting and barely sentient. But when his eyes rested upon her face he saw something quite different. Her skin and hair glowed with a saintly purity; tendrils of her locks gently floated upon the breeze as her exposed face caught the benevolence of the night’s sky and distributed it to the eyes of onlookers. Caleb found himself almost elevated by her glow, that magnificent and pure light from the stars sprinkled its beauty upon her own. She seemed so distant from him, almost like an idol, her being and figure displayed like a monument of an old mythical, magical creature. Caleb was captivated by her.

It took a few moments for the initiate to tear his gaze away from this defining figure. He dragged his eyes back to Looma, almost confused by what he had just seen. Was that truly how she appeared or was he simply caught up in that powerful Force aura that had almost choked him earlier. His mind cried out for him to look again, but he did not dare.

[Foxfire]

Cho waited for the Mistress' words, as another came from the temple. Stretching softly out in the force he felt for the new comer that his nose had perceived. As he did he noticed a faint connection in the force between the human and Looma. Is this the once she had talked and look for since they had met while rebuilding the temple.

Cho saw what Looma had saw in him. They were two halves of a heart. He also saw how he was affecting everyone and yet he did not care what they thought. They would either fear him or leave.

[Mara]

She needn't have worried about her safety as she waited for the Lady's response to Cho Wroth. A familiar presence washed over her senses. Looma had felt him before he had even left the Temple. Someone she knew almost as well as she knew herself. Though she hadn't seem him in the month or so since coming to Korriban, her memory of him was as fresh as if she had just seen him. Without turning from her position in the group with Novus and the others, she knew exactly who was striding towards them. Caleb.

Looma turned her head to look in his direction. Despite her unwavering faith in the Force, she had to look at him with her own eyes, deep pools of purple set in her yellow face. A wide smile spread across her face as her tingle through the Force was confirmed. But she swallowed any cry she may have made out to him. No matter how much she missed him, she was in the presence of one of Darth Iniquitous's Chosen ones and didn't want to embarrass herself so soon after standing face-to-face with Lady Novus.

So she merely reached out to him with the Force, embracing him in that way as he came up to join the rest of them. Looma could tell that he was happy to see her as much as she was happy to see him. The electricity in the air between them was palpable. It had been a long time since they had spoken or even glimpsed each other. The yellow Twi'lek wanted to run across to him and jump in his arms and catch up on the last month. But again she had to steel herself. She was in the company of Sith.

When he touched her arm, it was like time almost stopped and ran in slow motion. She wanted to speak but didn't know what to say. Dozens of emotions ran through her mind. Her heart lurched in her chest, and she thought it would never start up again. When he asked her if it was really her, she could only nod, still tongue-tied. All the while since she had first felt him coming from the Temple, Looma had known it was him. But for some reason the physical touch of him had made it real. As if he had just been an apparition until now.

With him this close, though, she knew he was real. And that his time on Korriban had been kind to him. Looma could see he was no longer the skinny human boy she had met two years before on Bakura. Her lekku twitched a bit in her excitement at seeing him in such... condition. Even without the Force and the rush of emotions she was pouring into it, the Twi'lek was sure that Cal and the others could hear her pounding heartbeat. She no longer needed her threadbare blanket to keep her warm in the cold Korriban night Once again, she cursed the fact that he hadn't found her alone.

The others--Looma was aware of their presence more fully now. She moved over so that he could stand next to her, joining the group, forcing her emotions to go back to their hiding place to wait for later. Forcing herself to remember that she was among an impromptu gathering of Sith, including Lady Novus.

Time sped back up to its current passing; Cal's walk over to her and her reaction to him only taking a few seconds, though it felt like eons. A couple of deep breaths calmed herself sufficiently to focus back on the Lady and any response she would have for the Noghri.

She did allow herself a small trinket, reaching down to grab his hand as they stood there next to each other among the other Sith, all female except for Cho. A concept that never gathered Looma's attention; so focused was she on Novus with the forefront of her mind and Cal in the back of it. She didn't notice his grasp of her Force presence leave her briefly to run over that of Novus before coming back to rest on her. If she had noticed the look on his face afterward, the informal gathering would have been awash with immediately turmoil. But for now everything was peaceful.