The Dark Academy on Korriban

Sylvain and his companions walked about the wilds in look for adventure. The Massassi had offered safety and rations for the Empire and now it was the Empire's turn to go out and explore their new surroundings.

Sylain had contacted Zeno and let him know Kristal and he would be out doing some exploring. And that if he were to come, any word of Sylvain's romantic exploits would be greatly frowned upon.

Zeno shows up at the appointed spot in full gear, and even had his ancient sword with as well. It had been some time since he carried that. Ever since he got his second saber.

"Evening Sylvain," he says with a nod.

"Zeno." He said with a smile.

"You know what we're looking for out here? Or are we just wandering and hoping for the best?" Zeno seems fine with either option.

"Got some directions from the Massassi during our negotiations. We'll see what's out here that they're not willing to look for." He smiled.

"Sound good?"

"Sounds great," he says, pulling his helmet on from the top of his pack. "Hope we find something interesting to pick a fight with."

Checking her gear one last time while they had waited for Zeno Kristal was at a kneeling position when he had arrived. Pushing herself up and to her feet she addressed him with a short nod and,

"Seems we keep running into each other lately Zeno."

He smiled, "You should feel proud Miss Serasai didn't head out on her own when I told her you were coming."

He put his pack on his shoulder, "She doesn't give her respect easily."

The whole time his mood seemed unnaturally neutral. No viciousness, no levity... more professional then usual. "Kristal. Seems that way."

He looks to Sylvain. "I think that she and I have a relatively good understanding of each others positions and stances. I foresee us working well together."

Honestly it was a little like he was a different person.

He smiled, "Excellent. I'm excited, I've wanted to work again with you for the past few weeks. This should be good."

Looking at the map he'd drawn up from the Massassi's vague descriptions and said, "Well... Kris... or Zeno, what does the force tell you about our surroundings?"

They can't see him close his eyes behind the helmet, but he does. He reaches out as best he can... or tries.

"It says nothing," he replies somewhat quietly.

Noble Expeditions, D9 ME, Sense: 1eF 1 Light Side

Kristal didn't close her eyes. If anything it looked a bit like she was seeing past it all. Merely feeling the world around her as if she could simply feel it. Because she could, it was The Force.

Day 9 | Noble Expeditions | Sense: 1eF 2 Dark Side

The jungle is teeming with life… and Kristal can sense a multitude of things with ease. Rain had picked up and stinging insects were out and about taking any opportunity to sting and bite.

It was at this moment that Zeno’s communicator buzzed with an incoming call.

"You're on," he says, expecting he knows who it is.

“Oh yes, Apprentice, after our last conversation I had to consider how best to put your life in danger to best serve our goals. I do value your loyalty, even misplaced loyalty in those you call friends. To that end I need you to take some important observations for me vital to my research.”

“Don’t return without them. I am forwarding the precise location you need to make these observations, at night obviously. I look forward to your return and my observations,” she says with a smile and then ends the call.

The coordinates arrive on his communicator. It’s in the wilds and will take much of the night to do.

"Of course," he says simply.

Sylvain looks over to Zeno. "What did she send?"

"A mission..." he says simply. His mood is clearly off and has been since he arrived. It wasn't just the call.

"Let's head out."

Sylvain sensed something off about the answer but followed for a few steps before asking, "Anything we could help with? I'd be more than willing to help you keep good graces with your master. Last time you were concerned with the way that relationship might go for you... If it'd help we could get a headstart on whatever she sent you."

Kristal didn't offer words quite like Sylvain, but she did seem concerned. It wasn't quite like the overbearing concern that people often had but it was certainly something there. Whatever was clearly eating at Zeno, changing him, could become a liability. Had she known him longer it might have been a bit more earnest concern but alas.

People like Kristal and Zeno didn't quite need to recommit their previous statements. That Kristal would aid an ally, even if recently made, in a time of need was assured. If Zeno wished to speak of it, that was his decision. So far, it appeared through lack of words he wished to not.

"Nothing significant in the surrounding area," she offered touching on the senses she sought before. They were rather overwhelming, even still. Something about it just felt right.

"The mission is fine. I'm just collecting data. Disappointing really," he says. It could be confused that the source of disappointment is why he was off, but he had seemed to be terseness has been in place well before that. Whatever it was he was not going to speak of it.

As incredibly invasive as Kristal could get through the force, she wouldn't. Never had the thought even or ever would cross her mind. Though she sensed his being off before, she would not comment.

"Do not forget where we are, mere Data Collection could very well bring you into a nest of something Fierce."

"And I would cut them down, or die trying. The mission was at my own request, though the content was of her choosing. A chance I asked for to prove my capability and a task given by her to test my loyalty. It is between master and apprentice," he say with a nod. "I will pass or I will fail.

Syvain nodded. "Very well."

Then looked around... "Well any ideas anyone? The chief warned that the lands south of here were run by a different tribe or race... the Yubashi... we could head that way, though it could be dangerous."

He pulls off his helmet and looks at the two of them. He has obviously visibly changed, no longer blue eyed and deep black rings around his eyes. "We didn't come out here for nothing did we? If they appear and threaten us we'll cut them all down. Do not let danger stop you from taking action."