Alora

“She is in the library studying economics.” Hearing this, Alora rang for a servant to go and fetch the young woman. It wasn’t long before she’d been brought in, finding the three of them sipping on the fabulous rose wine. The Sith Mistress introduced Raia to Darla though the teen remained quiet. It wasn’t long before she’d gone off on her own again… -- (a few days later) Wearing a sporty outfit, Alora jogged the corridors up to the door of Darla’s suite. She’d already stretched out her mental touch to her friend, asking if she wanted to go for a run and do some training so she waited in the hall for Darla’s response. Alora planned to run to the waterfalls and back, keeping herself fit and in the best condition she could be for the wedding. She and Draken still had to lock down a date and hope that everyone that they wanted to attend could.

Alora led her friend through the greenhouse to where Draken was. She smiled as they reached him, feeling the Force swirling around them as he manipulated the black rose in front of him. She couldn't help but admire him from his white shirt and black pants to his cavalry style boots. The two women stood quietly waiting for him to finish his manipulations before closing the distance. Giving him a peck on his cheek she spoke up, “Draken, I’d like to introduce you to Darla.” Alora turned to the woman standing next to her, “Darla, this is my fiance, Count Draken Shadowlord.” Glancing around she asked, “Where is Raia?”

"Is it going to be a problem for him that I have such strong ties to the Jedi?" Darla asked her. Alora shook her head, laughing as she did so, “That shouldn’t be a problem. He knows you’re my best friend and some of your background - anyhow, let’s get going. I can’t wait to show you around.” Giving her friend a cheeky grin and a wink she added, “At one point in time he was also the Dark Lord.” It didn’t take long to leave the ship and for Alora to hail a taxi. As the two women slipped into the open taxi, the Sith Mistress told the driver to take the scenic route to the Palace. Shadow settled on her mistresses lap, giving a rumbling purr as Alora patted the soft fur. The driver answered affirmatively and took them via various sites on the way. Alora pointed out her favourite places as they went along, including one of the Markets. “I’ll request the seamstress some and measure you up for a dress. Wait until you see my wedding dress. I got it on Coruscant.” It didn’t take long for them to arrive at the Palace, Alora opening the bond she shared with Draken to let him know she’d returned and that she would take Darla to one of the guest suites. When he had time she would introduce both Draken and Raia to Darla. The two women made their way through the Palace, the Sith Mistress smiling and acknowledging the staff as they passed them. Shadow padded along behind them, content with following them for the time being. The room they entered was spacious and decorated with a “Spring” colour scheme. The scent of freshly picked flowers reached them as they walked through the living area. “You can stay here in this suite instead of your ship if you like. The bedroom is through that door there,” she pointed to an open door on the other side of the room. Alora led her friend to the balcony where there was comfortable seating, requesting one of the attendants to arrange for afternoon tea to be served there. Once he’d left them, Alora settled in one of the chairs, Shadow curling up at her feet. The black feline knew that the attendant would bring a treat for her too. Where they sat there was a view of the mountains in the distance. Turning to her friend Alora asked, “What do you think of Serreno so far?”

Alora smirked at Darla, giving her a mischievous grin, “I wouldn’t mind meeting your Jedi Grandmaster… I wonder if he’d be as… entertaining as a certain Jedi Andon Colos was…” Her encounter with Andon had been an interesting duel, one which had been memorable for a number of reasons. She nodded her head in agreement when her friend said she couldn’t of killed Kakuto, “He did have a way with him. You know it was Kakuto that had the pheromones implanted in my body don’t you? They’re in my DNA now.” Alora laughed, “I never could use them against him though…” Hearing Darla talk of the friend she’d left her kids with caused Alora to shake her head, amusement obvious on her features. “You’re the only person I know that has friends that are both Sith and Jedi… I’d like to meet your kids one day too. Do they look like you or Darex?” She could see that Darla was torn in her loyalties and also regarding what kind of relationship she wanted with the twins father. “Well… whatever you decide I’ll support you. That’s what friends are for after all.” As her friend told her she’d love to be at their wedding Alora’s smile widened, violet eyes sparkling, “I’m so glad. We’ll have to have a dress made for you. I’m hoping that Emily will stand in Sirvani’s place as a bridesmaid since she is no longer with us. I’ll have to send her a comm and see if she’ll be able to make it.” Her hand automatically dropped down to pat Shadow as the panther rubbed against her leg. “As for meeting Draken, I can’t wait to introduce you. He’s so suave and handsome.” When the conversation turned to her ‘visit’ with the Cult of Morthos Alora’s smile faltered. Anger sparked in her eyes as she spoke, “I don’t know why they wanted me, apart from my connection as one of Raynuk’s former apprentices. All the time I was held in stasis I didn’t learn anything from them. They kept me totally isolated, blocked off from the Force and my comm. implant signal jammed. I was mostly spoken to over their intercom system and very rarely saw any of them. I had no concept of time either, only that it had passed me by. They’d taken me to Korriban when they brought him back from the dead with a ritual although it didn’t go as they planned. They wanted him to be their puppet while they pulled his strings from the shadows. Lucky for us Raynuk came back as himself. The Cult has stolen information from Draken’s personal library here on Serreno, from Emily’s library on Raxus Prime, from Coruscant, Dathomir, along with other sites. It was while we were on Dathomir that I came across Shadow.” She smiled fondly at the black feline, her hand stroking her soft fur, “They’d done some kind of ritual on Dathomir which had Raynuk, Draken and I fighting some zombie-like beings. They are dangerous and I hate to think what might happen if they get their ritual’s right.” Giving a shake of her head she stood up, “Enough about them. Let’s head back to the Palace. I can show you around and introduce you to Draken and to Raia Montar.”

Alora followed Darla into her ship, patting Shadow as she went. She sat down watching while Darla got them refreshments. As her friend headed off to get changed Alora sipped at her tea. Shadow had jumped down and was curled up on the floor by her feet. When her friend came back and told her that she’d gotten married and to who, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You mean to tell me that you landed the Jedi Grandmaster? Darex Trevelian?!? I know he’s good looking but… Wow!! Ha HA HAHAHA.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!” With tears running down her face she shook her head, “Oh Darla… I’m sorry… couldn’t help it… I haven’t had a great laugh like that for ages!” She hoped that her friend wouldn’t be offended and think her insensitive but it really did amuse her so much that her friend who she trained beside with the Sith would marry the Jedi Grandmaster. Getting control of her laughter she was still shaking her head with amusement, “To answer you… no I don’t believe I met him… and you had twins? Wow, okay. I guess they’re still with the Jedi?” She looked at her friend then reassured her, “Don’t worry. While some of our brethren would, I’d never condone using your kids against the Jedi Grandmaster… especially being as they’re yours too. I knew you cut yourself off from the Force but not why.” She fell thoughtful as she took another sip of tea. “Never thought about having kids… Draken and I haven’t discussed it. We are to be married soon actually. We’d been planning it before I got captured but obviously that put a halt on it.” Her violet eyes sparkled, “You picked a great time to visit! It just so happens that I’d like my best friend to be in the wedding party. What do you say?” If Darla agreed to it at least she’d have one of her best friends there… it’s just a shame that Sirvani was no longer with the living. If Emily could stand in Sirvani’s place though she’d be happy. “I’ll have to show you around. Draken’s just gotten a new apprentice… none other than Raynuk’s adopted daughter.” Alora winked at her friend.

As the landing ramp lowered the Sith Mistress waited, stroking the black feline that was still draped around her neck. As Darla came into view Alora’s face lit up. “Never mind about that, you’re here now. I would have been harder to find if you had of tried before… even Draken couldn’t find me.” At the look on her friend’s face she added, “Long story short; I was held prisoner in a stasis field on board a ship belonging to The Cult of Morthos until recently. They slipped up when they let me out at the same time they brought Darth Quietus back from the dead.” Alora stepped closer to Darla and gave her a one armed embrace. Her other hand was holding Shadow in place so the feline cub would behave herself. “This is Shadow. A recent companion I picked up on Dathomir…” She looked over her friend, noticing that she was gaunt. “What happened to you?” It wasn’t what she was wearing that made her comment - she didn’t care about that, only that her friend was here in front of her, it was her overall appearance, like she hadn’t been looking after herself properly.

Alora grinned as Draken gave Raia the grand tour. Serreno was a beautiful planet and she was happy to call it home now. She grinned as he flew towards the Palace letting one hand rest on Raia’s shoulder, the other on Draken’s. “You’ll love it here. To answer your question, yes we are still getting married. We just have to send out the invites and have everyone show up. If you look down there…” Alora pointed to some waterfalls not all that far from the Palace, “That is where we’re going to have our ‘bonding ceremony’. Beautiful isn’t it…” she stated as her eyes met with her beloved’s. Once they landed Alora watched as Draken gave instructions and called the medical team in to look after Raia. Shadow trotted around the hanger before coming back to leap up at her. Alora laughed as she caught the cub, shaking her head, “You’re nearly too big to be doing this Shadow.” She received a purr in response before the cub climbed out of her arms, up to her shoulder, draping herself around the back of her neck. “Are you quite comfortable?” Alora laughed, receiving a loud purr in her ear. “Lady Alora!” A messenger came running up to her, the girl curtsying when she reached her. As soon as she caught her breath the girl gave the Sith Mistress her message, “A woman has been asking for you. She has been staying onboard her ship which is docked at the Southern Landing Pad. She said her name was Darla.” Alora listened as the girl delivered her message, her eyes widening when she heard who it was. “What is your name?” she asked the young girl who seemed around Raia’s age. “Tresix, My Lady” Alora slipped her hand into her pocket, withdrawing a small but generous credit stick as she scanned the girl’s mind. It seemed that this girl was one of the Noble’s daughters that liked to earn her way rather than have everything handed to her. She also seemed friendly with a kind nature. “Tresix, this is Raia, Count Shadowlord’s ward. Once she is well enough I’d like you to show her around and introduce her to some of your friends.” Tresix took the offered credit stick again curtsying, “Thank you My Lady.” Then turning to Raia she added with a shy smile, “I’m pleased to meet you Raia.” Catching Draken’s gaze, Alora said, “I’ll meet up with you later. I’ll go and see if this really is Darla.” Giving both Draken and Raia a smile, she turned and headed out of the hanger, catching a taxi to the Southern Landing Pad where she approached the visitor’s ship. The last time she’d heard anything from Darla she’d shut herself off from the Force. Tentatively the Sith Master stretched out her senses, her smile becoming joyful as she touched her friend’s mind. “Darla!” Alora paid the driver and headed to the boarding ramp to wait for Darla to come out. It had been years since she’d seen her friend and she couldn’t be happier to see her. Alora had been hoping that she was still alive and well.

Alora spent some of her time sitting next to Raia’s bed with a large black ball of fur on her lap. The Sith Mistress knew that it wouldn’t be too much longer before Shadow would be too large to be a lap cat. She nearly was now. The rest was spent with Draken or meditating or working out, running through her lightsaber forms in the hold.The black cub was her constant companion and Alora had to laugh at the antics Shadow got up to. She was getting good at sneaking up and pouncing on on Vex who surprisingly put up with alot from the young feline. One thing Alora was having fun with was creating a small ball of lightning and using it as something for Shadow to chase - always careful not to let the cub 'catch' it. The cub almost turned herself inside out leaping after it which made Alora laugh. Hearing the droid announce that Raia was awake, Alora headed to the medbay and ended up following Draken in. She placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a quick kiss on his cheek before looking at Raia as he told her they were a couple of hours out from Serenno. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Shadow creeping up on Vex once more. She brought it to the other's attention then broke into a laugh as the feline pounced at Vex, Krakis giving the cub a do you have to? look while Vex turned his head and grunted almost indulgently at her. With a loud meow Shadow launched herself up at the Sith Mistress, expecting to be caught since Alora wouldn’t let her jump up on Raia’s bed. If she had of, Alora had no doubt that Shadow would have curled up with her and remained there. Grinning at the young girl she spoke, “It’s good to see you awake Raia. Someone here has been very eager to meet you and was jealous because you met Krakis first. This is Shadow.”

Alora stayed by Raia’s side as Draken headed to the cockpit to get them underway. She had left the medbay door open so that the Tuk’ata could see Raia since he wasn’t allowed in but would close it once the droids had Raia ready to be operated on. The Sith Mistress had to smile as another mournful yowl sounded from the doorway. Shadow had discovered that Alora was in there and wanted to come in as well. Vex was preventing the young cub from entering which made the Sith Mistress smile, “Sorry Shadow, you can’t come in either. You can meet Raia later.” She did relent a little, going to the doorway to pet the panther cub and to place a reassuring hand on Vex’s head, “She’ll be fine Vex, it will just take a little while.” With another pat for Shadow, Alora went back to the sink using the sterile wash before moving back to Raia’s side. Alora stood back as the droids prepped Raia for surgery. Once they had entered hyperspace she briefly moved to Raia’s side to reassure her, “I’ll be here watching over you and will see you once you’re awake once more.” She moved back to allow the medical droids to operate, taking a seat while she watched and waited. Alora smiled as Draken re-entered the medbay, “As far as I can tell, it’s all going well.”

"Assuming they've had the fire of resistance torn from them by now, then I agree; they will make a suitable acquisition to your workforce. And if they do cause trouble, we have an entire planet now to find replacements. I think it is time to finish our business here." "I don't think it will come to that. I saved most of them when I was masquerading as Jaina and they know now just who saved them. Did you know she was here not long ago. From the Wookiee's memories I accessed, she officiated a funeral." Alora watched as Raynuk addressed Draken and Raia once more, then farewelled them for now. As Raynuk's hand rested briefly on her shoulder, she in turn placed her's upon his, giving a gentle squeeze, "You will be at our Wedding won't you?" She would talk to him more when he came to see Raia once they were on Serreno. She watched as he instructed some of the mercenaries then as he climbed a tree to get into his ship. As the sound of the Darksoul's faded Alora approached another Captain, "We need a shuttle to return us to the Kyber."

Alora watched as the Wookiee Doctor and Nurse began to carefully see to Raia. Krakis and Vex wouldn’t leave the young girls side though let the two giant walking carpets work on her. She could feel Raynuk’s approach along with more mercenaries and Draken. Pointing to the Wookiee’s of her “group” that had survived she said to the Captain of the of merc’s, "Round up this group of new slaves," she told him, noticing a shuttle had landed on the pad down from them, “I want this group sent to Leria Kerlsil unharmed. There you will report to Overseer Varad Kemble of Darkknell Shipyard Industries and turn them over to him. These two here are to be sent there also once they are done.” Alora indicated to the Doctor and Nurse seeing to Raia. The Heiress of Darkknell Shipyard Industries would send her Overseer a message to warn of the influx of new workers he would receive. Looking around the Sith Mistress returned her former Master's gaze and gave a nod as Darth Quietus approached, nearly moving to destroy the two Wookiee’s that were treating his daughter. Once he knew that they were acting under her orders she watched as he closed the distance and spoke to Raia. She let her gaze scan the area once more, feeling Draken’s approach though watching as the Wookiee’s were loaded onto one of the shuttles that would take them to Alora’s home planet. “What the hell happened Draken...” The words drew her gaze back to the two men and she listened as Draken answered him. She wandered over to the two men and glanced at Raia saying, “We’ll get you proper medical attention soon Raia. You will love Serreno.” Her gaze shifted once more, meeting with her fiance first and then the Warrior King. “This lot of Wookiee’s I’m having sent to Leria Kerlsil. My Overseer was complaining of not having enough workers in his last report so I think these will fill that gap perfectly.”

Feeling the girls confusion and hearing her response to her rouse, the Sith Mistress’ words reached Raia’s mind, ”Use your pain Raia, channel it, command it to your will… remember my illusions… don’t believe everything you see...” Violet eyes glinted in the dappled light. All around them were screams, pain and death. When Vex got to Raia’s side Alora/Jaina was still holding her saber towards the raging Wookiee. She could sense the great tuk’ata’s confusion and feeling Draken’s approach (and what he was planning when he winked) said to him, “Stay with her, Vex. Let the medic treat her.” That was all she had time to say as she was thrown 20 feet away. She added to the throw so that she hit against another of the Wookiee’s, it breaking her fall. She sprang up, sending the equivalent of a kiss to her beloved through the Force before sprinting back to Raia, noticing that Krakis was now on the girl’s other side. She paused before closing the last of the distance, letting the two beasts know to trust their sense of smell over what they were currently seeing. Softly so that none of their enemy could hear them she spoke with her own voice, “Protect her.” She held out her hand that didn’t hold her saber so that both Vex and Krakis could catch her scent. Identification confirmed to them she turned to see the madclaw that was still trying to get loose to go for Raia.”He’s mine,” she told the protectors. “Quietus, Draken, Sheog, and Lady Alora. Strip this planet bare. The people. The resources. All that these wretched lands have to offer. When this business is finished, I will have word from each of you.” The farewell message from the Dark Lord brought a wicked grin from the Sith Mistress. It was time for more fun. She thumbed her saber so that it fluctuated before turning to a deep crimson. The Jedi Jaina disappeared in the blink of an eye and a flame haired Seductress stood in her place. Crimson and black robes fluttered as she threw the crimson blade, watching as it sailed through the air with purpose, cutting down the Wookiee that would have ended Raia’s life, the crimson saber returning to her outstretched hand. To the remaining Wookiee’s of her “group” she spoke, “I suggest you surrender to me if you want to live. As you’ve seen I can show compassion to those who please me.” Her voice was forceful and not without a surge of persuasion behind them. A few of the remaining Wookiee’s from the original group she had led - and protected - stepped forward after laying down their weapons, hands raised in the universal sign for surrender. Giving them a sharp nod she asked if any of them had medical knowledge. Two of them did, and had first aid kits on them. One was a doctor, the other a nurse, both grateful for what she’d done in their defense not long after she began her masquerade. They were two she’d rescued while she pretended to be a Jedi and she felt she could trust them. They were wary of of the creatures guarding Raia. “See to the young girl. She’s injured from a fall from that platform,” she pointed to the one above.” As the tuk’ata and black panther growled at the Wookiee’s approach, Alora ordered, “Let them through to treat Raia Vex, Krakis. I’ll watch them, you watch the perimeter.” She felt them both grudgingly permit the Wookiee’s approach though kept watching them as well as their surroundings.

Jaina led the Wookiee’s along the walkways, rallying them to defend their home. So far they hadn’t run into any of the enemy and these Wookiee’s were getting antsy and aggressive. Feeling where some of the mercenaries were she led the group towards them, always with the goal of leading them to the Trinity. When the fighting began she ignited her silver blade and stayed back, letting the Wookiee’s clash with them and gave an illusion that Jaina was fighting along with them. In reality Alora was using the ricochets to down some of the walking fuzzballs. She was always careful that she wasn’t seen to be deflecting the laser bolts into her “allies”. When more merc’s turned up she led a retreat, the Force telling her she had to be elsewhere. She led what was left of the group she was with up another two levels towards where she felt she was needed, gathering other followers as she went. When the air began to turn a frigid cold and the wind picked up she knew she was approaching where Draken was, giving him a warm touch through their bond to let him know she was approaching and who she was impersonating. With her senses stretched out she could feel Raia too, feeling the girl had been separated from her Master and had come under attack. They were in the level above and Alora could feel when Raia was knocked out. She looked around, seeing some of the group climbing up to the next level above. Knowing she had to get there first she gathered the Force and leaped upwards, landing lightly on the platform just as one of the Wookiee’s went to finish Raia off. “No! Tirzah! That’s my daughter!” Jaina yelled as she sprinted towards where the fallen girl lay, her appearance having changed in the blink of an eye - very easy to do since the girls did resemble each other. The Wookiee that had it’s paw raised to clobber the prone teen found it’s limb frozen in place, not able to complete the movement. As Alora reached Raia’s side she forcefully shoved the Wookiee out of the road, finding two of the beasts from ‘her’ group grab and drag it out of the way. She could hear it yelling that the girl was the enemy. Alora briefly checked the Apprentice over, feeling a cold rage simmering as she noticed the lump on the girl’s head along with a bloody gash, not game to move her in case she'd done some damage during her fall. A female Wookiee with a first aid kit knelt by Raia/Tirzah and began to assess her. Jaina stood and turned towards the raging beast, thumbing her saber on, the silver blade held towards it. “If you want to get to her, you’ll have to go through me.” The illusions never wavered.

As Draken stood, giving her a farewell kiss, Alora rose a few moments later. She too stood and withdrew from the merge, only keeping a light hold of it. For what she needed to do, she couldn’t have anything but a light touch with it. She had to feign being a lightsider and if she had the strongest darkside presences within her mind she wouldn’t pull off her rouge. She followed behind Draken as far as the hanger, not needing to get anything from the Grand Duke.. She sent a mental touch to Shadow, feeling her disgruntlement at being left behind, especially since Krakis was raring to go. Once Shadow was older, then she would become just that… Alora’s shadow. The cub was not even half of the male panthers size and for a battle against Wookiee’s it was not a good idea to take her. As she strode through the hanger towards a dropship she saw Raia with the bounty hunter. She grinned at the teen, giving her a wave and light touch through the Force. Alora would catch up with her after the battle. She was positive Raia would love Shadow when they ‘met’. Reaching a dropship the Sith Mistress entered and headed toward the cockpit to speak with the pilot. She sat in the seat behind him and buckled into the crash-webbing. It wasn’t long before they were underway, leaving the Bleeding Kyber behind. Once they were through the atmosphere and rocketing towards the tops of the wroshyr trees, Alora instructed the pilot to fly low to allow her to jump out at a more secluded location from where the other Sith were fighting. With a location picked, she headed back into the dropship and waited until the ramp was lowered. Gathering the Force to her, the Sith Mistress stepped out, only dropping from a two metre height and landing lightly on her feet, knees bent to reduce impact. The dropship took off to a more ‘populated’ area. Immediately she stretched out her senses to feel where the nearest Wookiee’s were, also noting where the Trinity were. Touching one of the Wookiee’s minds, her right eyebrow rose. Theatrically waving her left hand across the front of her body, her crimson and black robes disappeared, Her violet eyes became green, her flame coloured hair became brown, her robes took on a light caf colour, her tunic and pants became green. She didn’t have to disguise her whip which was looped at her side or the fact she had two sabers on her belt, since they both fluctuated between crimson and silver she would lock them on silver. Picking out the Wookiee’s location she approached cautiously. Jaina Jade Skywalker crept across the walkways, running from cover to cover until she caught up with the Wookiee’s. “Looks like you can do with some help... “

Alora stood at the window to their room, looking out at the fleet as it engaged in battle. As Draken stated that it was time to work, the Sith Mistress turned from the window as well. As he squatted down, Alora chose to sit cross-legged on the floor facing him, opening her mind to her love to reinforce and add her strength to his for the moment, falling into a light meditative trance so that when it was time she would have the physical strength that she would need. While Draken was Krath, the Assassin knew her talents lay elsewhere. Once the ground parties began to land, she would find a dropship and catch a ride down to the surface. She felt the meld though once it was time to go she would need her mind on what she’d be doing. She was used to melding with Draken so this was different… on a larger scale.