If You Be The One To Cut Me

[Kavan Siron]

Never try to screw a Hapan woman over, she'll have your head.

Kavan should have followed his old brother-in-arms' recommendation. He had honestly thought that Tonyh was overreacting when he told him about his ideas for piracy and thief in the Cluster. His infochant was a darn good one and he trusted her. He never got to find out who actually betrayed him in his crew, because it had to be one of them. If they weren't already dead, he would kill them himself. He hated being double-crossed. He had no qualms about having blood on his hands when the end justified the means; but betraying your captain? That was bullshit. That Ducha Wlady must have paid really well, or threatened even worse. He had no idea, and right now he didn't care.

He hadn't expected to have a bounty hunter after his own head. That was a first, or maybe the other ones had just been too dumb to get anywhere close to him. Whatever the reason, he hated seeing a good career going down in flames, especially literal fucking flames.

The bounty hunter had sneaked on the Death Rider, and got through two of his crew members before anyone realized what was happening. He was good, too good to his taste. They had been over Dathomir at that time, and when he found out that the hyper drive had been sabotaged, he had tried to set a landing course towards the bloody jungle planet. Not that he had any wish to go there, but it had sounded like a smart plan at the time. That was until it was only him, a ship in flames, and a bounty hunter at his throat, trying not to trip over dead bodies.

Even with years spent in the military, Kavan had actually feared for his life, and the bruises and cuts on his body were a testimony of how bad the fight had been. He was almost surprised he hadn't lose a limb or an eye in the process. At least he would be surprised if he had time for such luxury. Alarms were already blaring and the ship's engines were on their way to eternity when he caught his breath after ending the bounty hunter. He had no way out. Just none.

All he could do was using the last few capacities of the ship to crash in a way that would ensure he would stay alive. Doing manual catastrophic landing was something he did a few times in his life, but never to that extent.

When the trees smashed into the viewport, he knew it would now slow him enough so he could use the next few minutes to gther whatever supplies he still had accessible despite the ship being in flames.

Putting a few ration bars, medical necessities, and extra weapons, a vague change of clothing, and an empty water bottle, in a backpack, he was propelled against a wall, which would result in another scrape and likely a horrible bump, based on the immediate headache.

The ship was on ground, and he didn't have much time before a likely explosion. Slipping his arms into the straps of the pack, he rushed through a nearby hole in the hull, and jumped outside, running as fast as he still could, not caring about the pain and exhaustion.

He didn't look back but the explosion's blast was still close enough that it threw him into the air, thankfully crashing into a muddy pit. Struggling to his knees, he dragged himself to a nearby rock, and sat on it to catch his breath.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Khthonia, Sister of the Spiderclan might be one of the youngest surviving members of her previous clan, but what she lacked in years she made up for with harsh experience. At seventeen years old, she and her twin Kinzie, had seen no other Nightspiders since the eruptions. They had grudgingly followed a Nightbrother to the company of survivors being ushered through the scorched land by a Shaman called Megaera, and a Clan Mother called Anjali. One by one, the two of them were collecting the tempered and tested, the strong. Even a couple of brats like she and her sister from the most hated clan of all Nightsisters. It was under the orders of Anjali and Megaera that Khthonia was out today, atop her mount, the gaping spider, Empusa. Nearby, the survivors were huddled within a mountain. Because they had fast legs, she and her sister Kinzie, went out daily on their spiders to look for others, and then reported back with what they had encountered.

Young she may be, but not very frightful. So when there was suddenly the roar of fire above her all over again, the young witch almost lost her mind in post traumatic stress, thinking another wave of terror in the form of falling balls of fire was about to start again. She had already lived through it once, and barely. Empusa danced nervously on her many hairy legs, but the fire did not come for them. It traveled in a strangely straight path into the jungle..

Heartbeat slamming in her ribs, Khthonia got her spider to obey her commands and proceed into the trees in pursuit. They would want to know what she had seen, and she was not sure herself. It did not take long to get there, and she did know what she was seeing... The crashed ship of some off world intruders. Distrust made the young witch pull her bow around her body, also pulling an arrow from her quiver with deft fingers that poked out from fingerless leather gloves - the better to climb with.. Her hips rolled with the motion of the gaping spider as she picked her way around the site, not seeing anyone left alive, until they did.. She and Empusa, although he did not seem to see them.

From a safe distance, Khthonia watched the male scavenge for whatever he could find, and then flee the ship as it exploded in a final, fiery display. That.. seemed to be that for his ship. A pity, she might have been able to tell the elders she had found a star ship to fly their asses out of there.

Notching her arrow, as well as one dark eyebrow, she aimed the shaft right for his heart and whistled to get his attention.

[Kavan Siron]

He had heard some tales all right about Dathomir, including all the crazy dangerous beasts, and how males didn't fare better than in the Cluster for the most part. Sheesh. He didn't really care about all the monsters, even the threat of Rancors. He had survived enough battlefronts as a soldier, and he had got into a fist fight with a couple of Wookiees as a pirate. But frankly, right now, he was just trying to catch his breath. He'd have to figure out a place where to stay out of trouble. He didn't even know if he'd be able to put something together and contact anyone. That was fucked up. He didn't have the time to review what went wrong, because survival was the most important. He could play woe is me later. He hated doing that anyway, complaining was for losers.

He suddenly heard a whistle. He was on his feet at once, his blaster in hand. Then he saw the woman in front of him, though still at a solid distance. He especially saw the arrow pointed at him. On a normal day, he might want to take his chance and shoot her before she ended him. Today was certainly not a normal day. He didn't move, looking at her, assessing in a quick and exhausted fashion, the attired and the weapon. And the gigantic fucking spider. He'd give the world to see a bloody Rancor instead of a monstrous spider. Dathomir was fucked up beyond redemption if they had such spiders.

Everything collided in his exhausted brain, and knowing that any misplaced bravery would end up with his death, he dropped the weapon, keeping his hands in view. He had an ego, but he wasn't dumb.

Still staring at her, he stood still, waiting to see what she would do, ready to bolt to avoid the arrow, should she shoot.

[Khthonia Rowan]

From his perspective on the ground, Khthonia probably appeared to be part of the spider. One Dathomiri maiden with eight gigantic hairy legs from the waist down? The Nightspider smiled to herself at the thought, hips rolling as Empusa moved forward by commands to the sides of her thorax from her mistresses booted legs, and the intuitive bond between a Nightspider and her mount, much the same as the other clans of Nightsisters and their mounts, the rancor.

The point of her arrow remained locked to his heart as she approached. Empusa came to a stop, just over his discarded blaster, planting one big hairy limb just in front of it. Khthonia did not smile as she swung out of the saddle, dropping to the muddy ground - half of which seemed to be covering the male from his graceful reenactment of a bird in flight. A roasting bird..

Khthonia did not know a lot of Basic, but she had some words of it.. "Bad day?"

The sound of the bowstring being drawn back threateningly accompanied her superior smirk.

[Kavan Siron]

He didn't move as she came closer. There was indeed a brief moment he wondered whether she might be part of the spider - one of the most nightmarish idea he could think of - but his original assumption the enormous spider was her mount proved correct. He didn't know whether she would speak Basic, because he doubted that the couple other ones he knew would be of help, mostly Huttese, and some bits and pieces of Hapan dialects. He stood very still and calm, never taking his eyes off of her. He may be exhausted, but the adrenaline that had coursed his system before and during the crash was still not letting go, and her unexpected arrival had definitely jolted his nervous system again.

Given how close she was when she dismounted, he knew he had no chance of escaping her arrow, should she decide to shoot. The smirk on her face made her think she was enjoying it. He would probably feel the same if the positions were reversed.

Her Basic displayed her thick accent, and he held her gaze. He didn't want to give her any further satisfaction about finding him in a bad position.

"Indeed," he replied curtly. He had a lot of choice words about his day and his situation but complaining, and risking misunderstanding, or accidentally riling her up, or being tempted to do that willingly, were all very bad options.

[Khthonia Rowan]

​The Nightspider nodded in understanding, if not sympathy. Shit happened. There were predators, and there were prey. As a Nightspider, she was the former, he would find. The point of her arrow moved, only for a moment toward the ground at his feet, indicating that now would be a good time for him to go there. Preferably to prostrate himself and await her mercy.

Standing now beside Empusa's leg, the witch bent and picked up the fallen weapon, tucking it into her spider's saddlebags. Petting the gaping spider, she spoke to it in her own language, watching the male to make sure he was bright enough to do as he was told. "Belbau uns'aa natha chanash'gi d'gareth cress..."

The spider tossed her head, flexing and clicking her mandibles around at the Nightspider in what appeared to be something like an argument, to which Khthonia just said.."Now!" Empusa started spewing a length of web from her spinneret, thick enough to bind a man..

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan wasn't used to be on this side of the weapon. He hated it; and he knew how it felt, having been prisoner of war in the past. He had escaped once back then with his time, and most of them were still around to tell the tale. Granted, Tonyh would probably tell him how much of an idiot he was for having crashed on Dathomir because of pirating a Hapan Ducha's trade. But Kavan was on his own and he knew that he had to think fast.

His eyes followed the arrow that pointed down. He got the message just right, but didn't do as told. He moved slowly and put his hands behind his head, but he didn't kneel. He was well aware she had the upper ground, but there were limits to his willingness to crawl. His posture indicated well enough that he recognized her current superiority. Things could change and as much as staying alive was his number one priority, learning more about the area, and being able to figure where to go from his current predicament was important too.

He observed and listened to the exchange between the native and the spider. It was an eerie thing to observe, but taking in as much as he could might help him.

Whatever was next, it seemed the Dathimori wasn't going to hit him yet, for her bloody spider took care of matter, as within the next moments he couldn't move. Fucking wild life.

[Khthonia Rowan]

"Empusa! Z'lonzic! Vrine'winith!" The witch's green eyes widened as she commanded the spider to stop what she was doing.

Khthonia had meant for the spider to produce a length of rope for her to tie the male up with and drag him along, not to wrap him up like a cocoon. What the hell was she supposed to do now?

"Vel'bol tlun Usstan ifna ulu xun nin? S'xor doeb ukt vlos?" With a hint of irritation, she inquired of Empusa if she was meant to suck out his innards now?

Whatever. She would just play it off like she had meant for him to be wrapped up sturdy like.

"You..", she said to him, mildly entertained that he was bound, arms at his sides, for the moment. "Walk now. You stop, we eat.. Got it?"

'We' being her and her spider.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan found himself encased in some weird ass gigantic spider cocoon. At least he could still move his legs and breathe. So, it could be much worse. Sure thing, the day had already been long and wasn't over yet, but whatever. If he was still breathing and one piece, he would take his chances.

He couldn't help getting some weird kick out of the brunette arguing with her spider. He didn't understand what she said, but she was no happy camper. He found that oddly satisfying. It almost made him appreciate the spider.

When she told him to walk, otherwise they would eat him; he didn't want to question how much truth there was in it. He was willing to buy it at face value unless proven wrong, frankly.

It didn't mean he was going down like a fucking bantha taken to the Rancor's pit.

He nodded towards his backpack.

"I'll walk, but please take my bag." He said that slowly and clearly. It was worth a shot.

[Khthonia Rowan]

The witch eyed the backpack, when the male seemed concerned it not be left behind. Could be he had something worthwhile in there. She was wary of him. Males were not to be trusted, it was why until recently they were contained in their own community. Things had changed for the Nightbrothers, but this guy... he was no Nightbrother. Walking to the bag, she kicked it suspiciously once before snatching it up and promptly dumping out the contents upon the ground. Ignoring any protests from her captive, Khthonia hunkered done to see what she had scored for her new clan.

A roll of clothing came out, and a few other things along with it that took her a minute to identity. Some kind of wrapped bar.. She sniffed at it, and then tore it open with her teeth when she figured it was food. She and all her people were starving, she did not feel bad about it. Tearing off bites with a bit of savagery, chewing and swallowing like the wretch she was. When she found the water bottle she shook it, but found it empty. She gave the male a withering stare. In the rolled up apparel was a jacket...not too bad, actually. Khthonia shook it out before tucking her arms into the sleeves, shoving the extra length up her arms.

The clan could divvy up the rest. She shoved it all back in the bag, tucked it's strap into Empusa's saddle and mounted her spider. "Go.. Walk. My bag now."

[Kavan Siron]

He should just be exhausted, but his old military training, all the insanity he had just gone through kept Kavan alert. He thought had seen uncharted territories in the past; but so far bloody Dathomir won the contest. He didn't expect the woman to accept his request, in any form or shape. He didn't move, knowing well enough that treading the fine line between standing his ground and offering obedience was the only saving grace he might have at the moment.

While he had no intent to underestimate the spider rider, he couldn't help finding it cute the way she poked her boot at the backpack before checking it. It was ridiculous and he had been hit on the head, but he couldn't stop observing the brunette. He took in everything his captor did or said, imprinting her body language and actions in his exhausted mind, for it may come in handy later. Seeing her devour a damn ration bar indicated a clear lack of food supplies for herself or whatever group she might roam with. That was good to know; maybe they needed hunters. He knew the irony of him being the prey right there and then, but he had to stay on top of things.

When she found his jacket and tried it on, he had a quip on the tip of his tongue, about how quickly she seemed keen on stealing his clothes, but thankfully he had enough brain cells left to keep that to himself. He waited, thinking that she might just abandon the rest, but the way she promptly put everything back in the bag, and then carried it herself somehow made him hopeful. Well, maybe hopeful was too strong a word; but it could have gone much worse.

He didn't comment when she said it was her bag now. At least the bag didn't stay behind; so he did as told, and did exactly as told. He walked towards whatever direction she had him go.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Behind him, atop the gaping spider the witch watched the male she had taken prisoner move forward. He really was having a terrible day. Any idiot could see that, but it was just not her problem. Next time don't crash a starship onto a planet in front of a desperate and unsympathetic Nightspider. Not. Her. Problem.

However... the way he was forced to toddle about with his arms pinned to his sides with webbing was so completely ridiculous, within minutes she couldn't contain herself anymore. The sound of laughter escaped her nose, and she gave it up and laughed her ass of at him. She held up a hand for him to stop while she laughed, and laughed. Finally, she took a last snickering breath in.... and then laughed some more. When she was done, eyes watering and pink in the cheeks, she hopped down and went right back to ordering them, the male and her spider, around.

"You stop.. too...waele." Stupid. She ordered the male, with a glare for seeing her laugh like that.

"Empusa." She got the spider's attention. The spider hissed at her, irritated with all of the stops on their unusually lively journey. "Xo'al 'sohna. Usstan ssrig'luin natha chanash'gi."

With what amounted to muttering, the spider complied with her command, spinneret forming a controlled length of web this time, which Khthonia twisted with practiced expertise into usable rope, keeping her green eyes on the male. When she had completed the bonds, she looped the length around her arm and palmed a dagger from her boot. Approaching Kavan she aimed the tip of it at his eye as she came nearer. No words were necessary for that message to get through.

Be waele, get cut.

[Kavan Siron]

He didn't mind the walking, since the whole ordeal had jolted him with enough adrenaline to get going. He'd crash at some point; but until then he had no choice but to get going. What got on his nerves was the stupid binding thing. The brunette hadn't seemed happy with that gigantic spider of hers with how the beast had spitted web around him. That had certainly not escaped his attention. He wasn't surprised she had chosen to have him tied, for he would have done the same thing had the positions been reversed, but this way was really a pain in the ass.

He alternated looking at the path they navigated and his captor. When she suddenly burst in laughter, he cursed himself for his mental reaction. He found her cute. That was probably madness plaguing him all of the sudden. But she looked freaking cute the way she laughed. Finding a barbarian cute sounded up his messed up brain space at this point. But he couldn't help it. He couldn't hide the very brief grin that passed on his face, but he buried it before she hopped onto the ground.

Waele must be idiot, moron, stupid, silly, anything around those lines. He filed that for future use. The more he could learn the local dialect, the better he might fare.

He stopped when told to. He wasn't even sure he had been that willingly obedient since his early days in the military. What could he say? He valued his life. He watched the brunette with acute attention as she worked with her spider again, appreciating the dynamic between the two, which was quite mind blowing. Granted, he still didn't know what would be worse, that spider of doom, or the actual rancors that lived on Dathomir.

He realized she was thinking about changing his binds, and he felt grateful. He didn't even flinch at the knife coming too close to his face to his taste. He held her gaze stoically and waited for her to do what she had in mind.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Truth be told, Khthonia was not sure what to do with him. She was supposed to bring back Nightsisters and Brothers who she encountered wandering clanless and in search of a new home. This guy - he was not that. He was an off-world, stranger. The clan would see him as a burden, another mouth to feed when they were struggling to care for the ones they had already. There was a voice in the back of the Nightspider's mind that said simply, cut his throat. Take his items. Forget him.

The knife moved fast, a quick glint of silver, slicing through the web cocooned around him, but that was all. Not taking any chances, she bound his wrists quickly, but in front of him this time, keeping a length in reach..

"Bad day.. for you.", she said again, not really sorry about it, but laughing had just been mean..

"Be smart. Maybe not get eaten.", she thumped him in the shoulder, grinning before remounting her spider.

No promises..

[Kavan Siron]

That woman had to be one of the most skilled he had ever seen wielding a knife; and he had seen a few. By no means did it diminish the threat she represented; but Kavan preferred dealing with skilled psychopaths than sloppy ones. And he didn't think she was one anyway. Dangerous as fuck, and rightfully territorial as a local, but he was intelligent enough to know he was the intruder.

He didn't move as she freed him and then tied him up again. He also didn't mind getting a closer look at her while she promptly bound his wrists. She was likely younger than he had first thought she was; but she was no child. He still had no qualms admitting to his probably concussion-ed self that she was terribly attractive, and not just because of the knives. She was rather attractive despite the bloody spider.

When she suddenly admitted that it was a bad day for him, he was taken aback; his tiredness preventing him from keeping a stoic expression. He didn't take that as charity, but he hadn't expected that. "And for you?" he asked, knowing it could be a bad idea, although he made sure to keep his body language as a marker she had the upper hand. "Good day?"

When he had to walk again, he did as such, keeping pace behind the spider and its rider. He didn't comment on the whole not getting eaten. Based on the little he knew about Dathomir, there weren't cannibals, but he had seen her devour a freaking ration bar, so if her people were hungry enough, he knew he might be in worst trouble than just getting killed.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Was it a good day? Khthonia was not sure about that. A crashed starship was interesting, at least, and she was bringing back some other items that the Clan Mother could determine the worthiness of, and she was bringing back him. It could go either way. Either he would be enslaved and in time be found to have some purpose, or he would do something stupid and she would be blamed for it having brought him back. The thought that he might harm someone... her sister perhaps.. made Khthonia look back at him and glare in warning.

"Maybe...", she shrugged. It all depended on him.

When he kept eyeing her and Empusa, Khthonia snapped her teeth at him, a sharp snap of a bite. A reminder that he could still be eaten, she wasn't hungry anymore but Empusa was, and as of this moment she liked her spider far more than one ship wrecked, filthy male..

Slopes formed a natural path between the tallest peaks. Following the now familiar track, she lead her captive toward the mouth of the mountain, into the darkness they had made their home.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan saw that glimmer of pause in the woman's stance, that split moment before she glared at him. He took the warning at heart; but her word and the shrug indicated that things were up in the air for both of them. Obviously she had the upper hand, by very far; but it was interesting to him that his presence may provoke consequences of sorts. He had no idea what they could be; but he would find out soon enough. He had definitely not planned to crash in the middle of the jungle and either die or at least get thrown through the wringer in ways not experienced as of yet.

The way she snapped her teeth at him when she caught him staring would have probably made him grin, had the circumstances been different. He knew better than showing any reaction to getting a rise out of her. It was good in a way. It gave him some sort of twisted hope.

He followed her, the task made easier with just his wrists bound before him. He almost stumbled a couple of times when the terrain got problematic, and even though he was particularly resilient and stubborn; he was still fairly beaten down and exhausted. He kept pushing through, not complaining once, as she led him into caves buried beneath mountains.

Even the idea of being tossed in a cell at this point sounded fine by him, because he could use some rest. He forced himself to cling to lingering adrenaline to take in the surroundings.

[Khthonia Rowan]

The Nightspider dismounted her gaping spider, though the mount trailed behind them still. She walked just behind her captive, making sure to nudge him in the proper direction occasionally. The path was familiar to her, but dark and winding, dotted with holes that would break your ankle, or drop you into a dark chasm, forgotten.

It was not long before they had drawn the attention of the scouts that protected the clan. Khthonia gave a shrill call, the kind that echoed through the space around them with the cry of a large avian. It was returned with the response of a different predator, signifying who was on the watch. In moments, the witches crept from their concealed positions, curious about who Khthonia, one of two scouts returning from outside the mountain, had with her.

None of them seemed particularly happy to see a off worlder, even if he was bound and not so very threatening at present. They might just kill him she supposed. But he was her prisoner, and ultimately the choice was with her. She argued back and forth with one of the older Nightsisters for a time. At a point, Empusa reared up menacingly. Khthonia turned and held up a hand, that she was not helping..

"I have decided. He stays.", the young Nightspider, did not back down, gritting out the words in the harsh tongue of their Mothers.

She tossed her chin toward the inner paths, leading deeper beneath the mountain. "Alu inbau Tristan..."

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan found out he preferred walking behind her monster rather than having her walk on foot behind him, as it happened when they reached the caves. He had never liked being observed rather than the contrary. Yet he knew that if she had wanted to kill him without entertaining any other options, he would be dead meat by now. In the growing haze his exhaustion caused, he held onto that bit of hope. He had no other choice. And truth be told, he was very curious about the place, and about her people. And as much as it could get him in trouble, as his ship crash had proven, he liked a good challenge, and a bit - or even a lot - of danger had always spoken to his soul.

He made sure to adjust his direction and footing based on the woman's prodding. His eyes took a bit to adjust to the lower lights, and to the uneven terrain, although it wasn't so different as some of the slopes he had to follow her spider through on the way to the settlement.

The bigger difference was how crowded the place felt all of the sudden. He could easily tell that nobody was happy to see him brought to the caves. It made him all the more curious as to why the brunette had chosen to keep him alive. The animosity he saw and even felt deep in his bones made him all the more inclined to do what his captor wanted him to. He wasn't so naive as to believe one instant he could get out of his mess by his sheer will, and not just because he bloody needed rest sooner than later.

Regardless of her motivations, the spider-lady had chosen to keep him around and bring him as prize to her people. Abiding by her lead was his best choice and he wasn't going to do something stupid. At least, he would do his best to avoid doing that, for he had been told enough times in his life that he was prone to do stupid things. He couldn't truly disagree with the statement if he was honest...

He didn't understand the language; but he listened to the exchanges, wanting to grasp onto certain things if he could, although he wasn't in much brain shape to do that. Still he gave a faint look at his captor when she seemed to call out a name. Tristan sounded like a male name to him. So he stood where he wanted her to, head bowed, but gaze shifting left and right slowly, listening to whatever was going on. He was choosing this subservient position right then, but it didn't mean he wasn't attentive to what was unraveling.

[Tristan Alastor]

It was a sour-faced older member of the clan that sought out Tristan, interrupting his meditation on the Force without a shred of respect. It was only her use of the word ‘ra'aruk’ - foreigner - that made him hold his tongue and tamp down the flicker of indignation that sparked in his chest. Setting aside his contemplation of the Force for the time being, he followed her, stalking upwards through the rough-hewn insides of the mountain.

Confronted with the sight of the ra’aruk, a faint frown touched Tristan’s brow. He’d expected to be faced with another witch, someone who had come seeking to join the clan. Instead, Khthonia stood in front of a near-human-looking male. A male whose attire was nothing like the well-worn hunters leathers that covered Tristan. The fact that his head was bowed did nothing to hide the fact that he was not of Dathomir.

“Who are you?” Tristan asked in Basic.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Given their way, it was probable that the male would have been outright killed by the witches. His meat and bones feeding their rancor and spiders, and.. possibly a Nightsister or two. They were starving. Tossing meat to their mounts and not taking the odd bite would be.. a test. Some would pass, others would feast.

Khthonia was of the opinion that the male was worth more to them than just his meat and bones. In time, maybe he could be much more.

She had heard that once, not so long ago, Tristan had been the one who had almost been the meat. It had been before her time, before the eruptions. To her, to most of the survivors, he was just Tristan now. The Nightbrother who lead his Brothers, and who walked with their Shaman, Megaera. If there was truth to it, Tristan might be the one to communicate with her captive.

When Tristan arrived, she gave him a nod of thanks for coming so quickly, and then waited to see what kind of answers he might get.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan got confirmation that this Tristan person was a male, as she believed the man who arrived was indeed the one his captor had called for, given the brief nod she gave him. He was no fool and could tell the others around would likely see him dead if left to their own devices. To say he had got himself into a deadly mess was an understatement; but it was definitely in par with the rest of his day.

He looked at the man before him, noting how he appeared different from the others, even though his attire was very typical of the leathers he had seen not only upon the spider-riding warrior; but on the ones gathered around them. And the man's command of Basic was fluent.

"Name's Kavan," he started, his throat a little parched. He saw no need to give a last name at this point.

"My ship crashed on Dathomir. I'm the only survivor."

[Tristan Alastor]

It was a story that Tristan knew all too well. Though he had come to Dathomir willingly, compelled by visions of Megaera, his shuttle had not survived the trip. There was something in the atmosphere of Dathomir, in the energy of the planet itself, that seemed to covet those travellers who strayed too close to it. Once setting foot on Dathomiri soil, few had either the means or the desire to leave.

“You should know, we have no way of repairing a starship. My clan will strip the vessel of any parts deemed useful.”

The rest, Tristan thought, would be consumed by Dathomir itself. The plant-life on the planet grew with a preternatural speed and ferocity. In no time at all, the skeleton of Kavan’s ship would be wrapped in vines and creepers, it’s hollowed hull providing a new refuge to wild beasts.

“Has she told you what they do to men here?” he asked, green eyes shifting for a moment to Khthonia. Many of the witches had a loose command of Basic, at best. It was possible that this Kavan had yet to understand the fully gravity of the situation that he found himself in.

[Khthonia Rowan]

A pleased little smirk crossed the Nightspider's features. Whoever he was, she had been right to send for Tristan. Obviously he was better suited to the male's Basic sounding words. Khthonia let them talk, walking a few steps away to where Empusa waited in the torch lit gloom. For all appearances, she was disinterested with what Kavan was saying. Choosing to wait for the Nightbrother to tell her anything important when he was done conversing with the stranger.

You tell him... Khthonia, one of the last Nightspiders, owns him now. She thought, narrowing her eyes on her captive, but turning that mean green glare on more than one of the other assembled Nightsisters. There was a balance to maintained between working together with the tatters of other clans, and not taking shit. They were to be as one, but there were limits. The male was hers.

From her saddle, Khthonia rummaged once more through the items she had taken from him, immediately stowing one of the other bars of food away for her sister, Kinzie.. The rest would go to the Clan Mother. Anjali could determine who was most in need of the supplies.

[Kavan Siron]

Kavan nodded to Tristan. "My ship is beyond repairs at this point. Stripping what you can is the best plan, regardless." While he was good with mechanics, he had experienced the wreck and explosion first-hand and knew that salvaging was all the ship was good for anyway. It wasn't as if he expected to leave Dathomir at this point. It wasn't that he disliked the idea; but he knew better than hang onto unrealistic hopes. There was something about this place too, something he couldn't explain. It likely was one of these weird intuition bouts he had.

While he couldn't really take his attention away from Tristan; he was tempted to see where Khthonia roamed. He doubted she had gone anywhere far, given her vested interest in his capture and survival as long as he proved useful. And he heard faint noises he already knew to recognize as belonging to that spider monster she rode. He doubted the woman was far from the spider.

What came next made him briefly look around, his eyes easily falling upon the brunette, before he returned his focus upon Tristan.

"She captured me, so she owns me."

[Tristan Alastor]

“Indeed.”

Tristan looked Kavan up and down. There was no desperation in his voice, no panic. It seemed almost as if he was already resigned to whatever life he had fallen into on Dathomir.

“You will be trained and tested to become a Nightbrother. If you pass the trials set before you, one of the sisters may take you as a servant and mate. If you’re found lacking, you’ll either be made a slave… or, if you’re not strong enough, put down.”

For all the gravity of what he was explaining, there was no drama in Tristan’s tone. He stated the truth’s of the clan as the facts they were; nothing more, nothing less.

“Khthonia,” Tristan said, his speech shifting into the serpentine hiss of the Nightsisters speech. “Would you like me to begin preparing him for the Selection?”

[Khthonia Rowan]

His eyes found hers, and she scowled at him. She wasn't exactly warm and sunny to the people she did like. He was going to have to learn that the hard way. If he survived, he might earn her trust someday, but what he needed to learn first was his place..

The Nightspider lifted her green eyes to Tristan's question. Wordless, she came forward again. Slowly she circled her captive, looking him up and down, as if she weren't sure she wanted the trouble of him at all.

"What's his name?"

"I'm not a superstitious type, Tristan, but fate dropped him in front of me. I will speak to Megaera to see if the Spirits agree, but for now...", her words trailed off as she walked away. "Train him. If he's not trainable, he's meat."

She turned back, locked her eyes to the male's and drew a meaningful line across her throat. Then laughed and walked away to find the Clan Mother.

[Kavan Siron]

Maybe he should have been terrified; but he wasn't. It might be due to the fact he had been running on adrenaline for too long; or it might have to do with what some of his superiors back in the military had marveled at in terms of stamina. He could jump into the wrong thing but at the same time he had a knack to get out of it. He wasn't stupid about the whole Dathomir thing. It was going to be a mess of a deadly kind; but he wanted to come through. He had no other choice, and really he had started another life in the past already, so what was one more? He was going to suffer and if he managed not to lose pieces he'd be lucky.

He stared quietly but not fearfully at Tristan's explanations of what was to happen. He could have retorted he wouldn't be put down, but he had better things to save his energy for than some boyish display of bravado. He would have to prove himself by doing instead of saying. He simply nodded to the man's words.

When the exchange between Tristan and Khthonia occurred, he listened intently even though there were very few things he could pick up. As she walked away and stared at him, making a sign of him getting his throat cut, he stared back almost nonchalantly. For some odd reasons, he believed the Dathomiri would slice one's throat without issuing a warning. She was feisty but above all she meant business.

[Tristan Alastor]

“His name is Kavan,” Tristan called after Khthonia’s back. When she turned and mimed cutting her throat, he merely lifted an eyebrow. The small crowd that had gathered to see what all the commotion was about had already to drift away, some murmuring their disappointment at the lack of bloodshed.

“I’d recommend learning the Dathomiri language as soon as you can,” Tristan said, returning his attention to Kava. “It will make all of this much easier.”

He began to walk, motioning for the other man to follow. “Tell me, do you have any combat training?”

[Kavan Siron]

He realized that Khthonia had asked about his name, for her recognized the words used by Tristan besides hearing his own name. He was glad that for now the small crowd was dispersing. He wasn't that entertaining anyway for he was still alive and not bleeding, he guessed.

"I don't doubt that," he replied with a nod to Tristan when he suggested learning the Dathomiri language. It might be one of the biggest challenges to come, but one he would have to handle.

He fell in stride by the man's side, realizing he probably looked like the captive he was with his hands still bound before him.

"I do. I served ten years in the military. I have experience with blades as much as with blasters."

He had actually honed his blade-wielding skills all the more since he had become a pirate and smuggler, but he hadn't been asked for his resume.

[Anjali Raskor]

As Clan Leader, Anjali had been notified of Khthonia's return with a foreigner. While the handling of the latter was well left up to Brother Tristan, she wished to see the spider rider. She sent for a young Night Sister to retrieve Khthonia and bring her to one of the largest rooms in the underground network of caves that had become the Clan's lodging over the past months. She wished to be appraised of all details of what had happened during Khthonia's travels, and going to the source had always been her choice, rather than listen to what transpired through the grapevine.

When Khthonia arrived, Anjali was standing by a pool of water at the north of the chambers. She turned to look at the Night Sister, Iss-Ka moving forward out of habit. The large Voritor circled Khthonia, sniffing her and eventually coming to sit by its mistress who rested a hand on her scaly head.

"Welcome back, Sister Khthonia. Your findings has caused a little commotion and I want to hear about it."

[Khthonia Rowan]

When she found the Clan Mother, she was not alone. Her own animal companion, the voritor lizard called Iss-Ka, was with her. The lizard came forward, more defensive than aggressive, but Khthonia's scent was not unfamiliar to her by now.

"Hey beastie." She probably smelled like spider. "Still can't eat me."

She waited for the creature to join her master before taking a knee. "Clan Mother."

Khthonia peeked up with the natural exuberance of a seventeen year old that was proud of herself, and proud to be before the Clan Mother, as her scout. Well.. one of them.

"It was awesome." Khthonia grinned, starting at the beginning.

[Anjali Raskor]

Iss-Ka swatted the air with her tail when Khthonia dared her in their usual banter. The Voritor snapped her poisonous fangs at the girl and then stayed quiet. Iss-Ka would never harm Khthonia or any clan member unless attacked first, or given the command to do as such. Anjali knew that her reptilian companion had a sense of humor that could make for a puzzling combination with how dangerous she was. The adolescent witch before her had realized that Iss-Ka's display was founded on true and lethal strength but would behave. That was why the Clan Mother didn't intervene in the usual quick showdown between both.

She watched Khthonia taking a knee and couldn't help grinning in a predatory way at the first answer that came to her question.

"Rise, Sister Khthonia."

She narrowed her eyes at the Spider Rider, as she began to tell the story. She encouraged her to continue when a pause happened.

"I want to know how proud you make me and the Clan today."

[Khthonia Rowan]

Once bidden to rise by the Clan Mother, Khthonia resumed telling the tale of how she had taken her captive. "Yes, Clan Mother."

She did not need to explain that she and her sister had been out scouting the area surrounding the entrance to their new home. They had been tasked to do so by order of the Clan Mother and the Shaman, Megaera. Scout. Report. Rescue if they could. With the fastest legs among the witches, it was ideal work for the pair.

"His ship fell from the sky on the southern slopes. At first.. I thought that it was starting again, the fires from the sky."

Khthonia left out the part where that had terrified her for a moment. She had pulled it together and come out the victor, that was all that mattered.

"He was the only one to emerge before it all exploded. My arrow would have been through his brains before I would have let him harm our clan. I bound him, took his things.."

The young witch pulled the bag from around her shoulder, bringing it before Mother Anjali as a spoil. "There is food.. some clothing and his weapon."

"I gave him over to Tristan, to see if he can be trained, if it pleases you Clan Mother. Or I can just go back and finish what I started with the arrow..?", her green eyes smiled wickedly.

The Nightspider did not really mean what she implied, she wanted to see if her new slave would be a worthy addition to their clan.

[Anjali Raskor]

Among others, Anjali had chosen the Night Spider twins as scouts shortly after they had joined the Undead Fires. The sisters had natural easiness for quick travel and binding any hostiles. And they had both proven quite talented in their new roles. While having to unite survivors from so many different clans had been a challenge, they had gathered a strong lot with a greater variety of talents than a single clan might have possessed back in the day. Megaera and Anjali had seen the value in it, and had both ensured to use everyone's abilities in a most useful way.

When Khthonia talked about the ship falling down from the skies, Anjali was proud of the younger Sister for having pushed beyond what could have terrified a good many of them who had gone through the fires. It spoke volumes of her resilience.

She took the offered bag and began to go through it. "Thank you, Sister Khthonia. Sister Megaera and I will go through them about how to divide them best."

She had noted the new jacket on the girl, but saw no reason to deny such a spoil of war, which was definitely well earned.

"I take it you could bring others to the crash site."

It was likely they could retrieve at least some materials from it, before Dathomir took it into its core over time thanks to a ravenous vegetation.

"You did well," she said with a nod.

She grinned deviously at the witch's offer to finish the man off.

"Let Tristan see what can be done with him. Shall he prove a waste, he'll be yours to kill, just as he remains yours unless you'd rather not."

While the future of the man was very uncertain, Khthonia was the one who had captured him, and the Clan Mother considered him the Night Spider's property.

"Does he have a name?"

[Khthonia Rowan]

"Yes, Clan Mother."

Khthonia would have no trouble finding the crash site again. For that matter, anyone with a bit a a view from high ground would be able to spot the section of the southern slopes where ancient trees had been flattened, upturned in a destructive path, ending in a charred heap of smoking metal.

"Thank you."

Mother Anjali decreed that her slave should live, for now. It was almost tempting to let go of a relieved breath, but she did not show any sort of emotion, one way or the other. So he would live.. So what?

"Tristan tells me his name is Kavan. That is all I have learned so far, but I will have the rest of the tale from him if I have to tear out his tongue to do it."

Mostly, she hoped no one was looking for him. It would not do to lead others to their home. Not until they were stronger.

As for her slave... she would have to figure out what to do with him, after she discovered what, if anything, he was good for.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali wasn't susprirsed that Khthonia could lead others to the crash site; given the scout's extensive skills; but she nevertheless appreciated the confirmation.

"Gather a group of three and lead them tomorrow at dawn. Salvage what can be, before Dathomir swallows it whole."

She trusted the Night Spider to bring whoever she saw fit for this trek. Their numbers had been growing, and while everyone's contribution mattered, it was slowly becoming easier to organize small expeditions when the need arose.

She nodded to the bits of information Khthonia had gathered, either directly or through Tristan, about the new slave.

A devious grin briefly curved her lips at the mention of the young Night Spider cutting Kavan's tongue.

"Until you know what he is worth, restrain from cutting his tongue, Sister Khthonia. It might prove useful, and bring value to his potential as a mate."

She didn't care so much about the male's well-being or how useful he would be; but she saw no reason to deny a Sister from having a fully-equipped mate, should this be in Kavan's future.

"Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

Given the tributes Khthonia had just brought to the Clan, it was only appropriate to give her the floor if she wanted to.

[Khthonia Rowan]

Dathomir would swallow it whole, as it did all things. Sometimes places were found in the thickness of the jungle, or in the dark of forgotten spaces beneath their feet. No one even remembered who had built them, when or why. All that was certain was that tree roots burst through stone floors, tore down walls and the elements eroded their carvings. In time, all things were claimed.

"I will do as you say, Clan Mother."

The Nightspider listened to her Clan Mother's advice on showing restraint about Kavan's tongue. She could not help the skeptical look that crossed her painted features. "If you say so."

"No, Clan Mother. I will report again after we have returned from the wreck tomorrow.", she promised, with a bow of her head, and a wink at Iss-Ka.

[Anjali Raskor]

Anjali couldn't help feeling amused at Khthonia's skeptical look. She would understand whenever enjoying a well-trained mate, regardless the one she would choose to either simply warm her bed, or share her life in a more wholesome way. Her expression didn't change much, save for a spark in her piercing eyes.

"I do say so, Sister Khthonia," she replied, with a slight and brief grin.

When nothing else was to be discussed, she nodded to the Night Spider's words.

"I will speak to you then. Good hunt."

Without further ado, she clicked her tongue, and Iss-Ka moved to come by her side, briefly hissing, but in a nicer way than before, to the younger witch. Iss-Ka almost sounded amused, in her own Voritor way. Then, both Clan Mother and beast left the room, for Anjali's attention was required elsewhere.