An Aberrant Reunion (Neology)

[Trinsik]

“This place is from Exar Kun's era, right? The ruins?”

The other Jedi nodded. “Yes, it must be a few hundred years old, in the least.”

Trinsik ignored the banter, flipping a few switches on the starship's console and watching the cloudscape on the planet dominating their view. Ziost. There were many holes in the galaxy, like plasma impacts on a target; dark, smoldering marks. The Sith could not hide their presence—like the dark Jedi Trin had sensed in the past, this place stunk of the dark side. Contrary to his companions' musings, he knew the Sith ruins on this planet far preceded the reign of Exar Kun. More likely, they had polluted this world's surface for thousands of years. The Council had sent them here for this reason.

When they finally landed, Trinsik departed with a frown, drawing his robes closer. It was cold. “I know the Council was specific as to our assignment, but I've personal investigating to see to—I'll meet up with you guys later.” The two accompanying Knights looked at each other curiously before nodding and moving along the forest. This was one of many that covered Ziost, sprouting in an attempt to hide the scars the Sith had left, only to be tainted by the ruins inside. Trinsik entered with his arms crossed.

There were expanses of knowledge the Council had seen fit to hide from lesser members of the Order. Ancient histories and techniques, figures of terrible power, that they believed might corrupt those who learned of them without the proper wisdom. Trin scoffed at the idea. Mostly because he was barred from the knowledge. How would he grow wiser, stronger, without the temptations of the Sith assaulting his willpower? Others had fallen. He might, too, without proper conditioning.

Coming upon a set of crumbling columns the Jedi stopped. His obsidian eyes rose, tracing the angular architecture around him. Invasive auras surrounded and pierced him. “Here we are,” he murmured, “just the spot.” Taking a meditative seat on one of the fallen pillars, he breathed The Force, dark as those breaths were, and contemplated each intake.

[Neology]

'Oh, I hate the cold...' Novus shivered, pulling the ruff of her coat up to her ears, the blue tinge of her lips the only color in her pale face. She cast one longing look back at her shuttle, all systems blacked out to hide from the other ship that'd come in only a few hours ago. It was too soon to draw the galaxy's attention to the Sith, still consolidating their power on Korriban. 'With hopes toward expansion...' She let her thoughts trail of, taking in the towering evergreens with some measure of wonder. She'd never seen anything quite like these trees, undeniably touched by the darkness that engulfed the planet of Ziost and yet thriving, untended. It was beautiful.

The ruins she was interested in were only a short walk away, sharp angles of dark stone among the silent trees. She'd been there, along with a couple other sites, several times already, in an attempt to gauge which would best host a new outpost for the Order. Thusly, it came as something of a surprise to sense the presence of another force user there already. Curious, she extended her senses – almost, ah! The Arkanian's breath caught slightly and she stopped in her steps, closing herself down to the force with such speed as to find the effort painful. 'A Jedi!' Calming herself by degrees, Novus began her approach anew, her footsteps lighter then those of the unfortunate feline whose fur lined her winter coat.

Circling around the ruins, she managed to get a good view of the man, a small 'v' shaped crease forming between her brows as recognition set in. 'Trinsik Revere? Yes, there's that old scar across his nose, I'm sure its him.' Submitting to a sudden pang of nostalgia, Novus took her hand off the handle of her blaster. The man been paired with her more then a few times on various missions, back when she was still part of the Jedi Order, her skills in manipulating the force nicely complimenting the other's martial prowess. Intrigued by his presence here, she adjusted the yellow-tinted glasses that shielded her sensitive eyes, reasonably sure they hid the slight changes the dark side had wrought in her outer appearance.

”Trin? Don't tell me they're letting you out on your own these days.” She affected a companionable smile, walking around to be full in the other's vision. ”Odd place to be mediating, if you'll excuse me saying.”

[Trinsik]

Their mission had been to scout for some rare beast; a mutation brought about by the dark energies that slid over Ziost like some creeping, malevolent fog. Apparently the beasts had become larger and more violent, in contrast to their former selves. The effects of prolonged exposure to the dark side of The Force were largely unknown, when compared to more scientific dangers, like radiation. The Council wished to study one of these changed creatures. Musing amidst these dark energies as he was, Trinsik briefly pondered the possible effects the light side might have on someone. He would need to pursue the thought back on Coruscant.

Something caught the man's eye—though both were closed—and one gloved hand slid to his holstered blaster. It could not be one of his allies. Both had gone in the opposite direction. But more faithful than this knowledge was his own force sense; active, always, even now. This was a dark being.

Finally the presence entered the ruin-spotted clearing and he rose, eyes thin. Could it be a Dark Jedi, come to search for lost relics of the deceased Sith? His glare fell on tall woman of ghostly white hair and skin tone, her eyes hidden by pale yellow shades. It took Trinsik only a moment to recognize her.

“Lidah..?” he murmured, caught between shock and joy. Her words nearly didn't find him. The female Jedi had been lost to a mission nearly a year and a half ago. They had been close friends; childhood friends, in fact, and he carried many fond memories of competition from their years as younglings. Her death had been a severe blow. But here she was.

Trinsik recovered, approaching to stand near her. To see if it really was her. “I'm on assignment with two others, but... Lidah, I thought you were dead.” He shook his head, crossing both arms. “The Council said you had perished—though your body was never found, as with the others from the mission.” He paused. “I searched for you.”

A wave of nostalgia hit the man, his slight frown at the thought of his friend's death fading to a smile. “'Guess I didn't look hard enough. What happened? And why the hell are you here?”

He had completely forgotten the 'dark presence'.