InsaneJournal

Isabela wasn’t certain if she was settling into her new home or not. Some days were good, some days were less so. Though one of these days, she’d figure out how to work the holodeck for herself so she could be on a ship any time she needed it. So for the time being, she’d settle for the view from the observation deck while having some drinks. Alcohol made everything better, after all.

It was almost unsettling staring out into the void. She wondered if that was what the Void that the Chantry preached about. She sighed softly, several things running through her mind.

Alcohol did make many things better, though Lomea wasn’t one to indulge too often. She could carry her liquor well enough, she just preferred not to. Today though, she had some strange concoction that tasted of something called ‘coconut’ and wandered onto the Observation Deck. She carried herself like she owned the place, with all the air of a woman used to giving orders and having them carried out. The air around her could almost be described as just a little chilly, and yet … she was a woman of contradictions. Dark and Light, a storm inside of her and a calm coolness on the surface.

“You’re in my seat,” She said, her voice dry. A dramatic woman in general, she tended to emphasize her words often. “Luckily, I like you.”

The voice pulled Isabela from her thoughts and contemplating the black void of space, and she looked up to see Lomea there. “I’m so relieved that you like me. Though I can move if you want. The view of the void won’t change if I move three feet in either direction.”

Lomea waved her hand, indicating Isabela, “The view is fine as it is.”

She took a seat nearby, settling in and setting her drink down on a table next to the little couch. “Could not sleep?”

Isabela smirked a bit as she shifted a little in her seat. She took another sip of her drink and let out a sigh. “No. I don’t really like being in my room much. Nothing against my roommates.” It was all part of that claustrophobic feeling. If Anders had been here, she would’ve asked him about some remedy to help her sleep without waking up in a panic.

She didn’t need the Force to tell her that Isabela was closed up on herself. It was subtle, but it was there. “You’re not used to space, are you.” She gestured out the window. “The void, out there, is endless. And yet we are confined in a metal box, hurtling through the stars at speeds that are incomprehensible, even to those of us used to it.”

Whiplash.

“No, I’m not. I’m used to sailing on the ocean, not through the void of space. Maker, I understand why dwarves fear falling up into the sky when they first come to the surface.” It was disorienting, but it was also better than being in her room which seemed all too small at times.

“Unless there is a hull breach, you are safe.” Lomea smiled politely. “Being ripped through a hole in the ship to die in the frozen, airless depths of space is a nightmare for many.”

“Oh, great, I’ll just add that to my list of nightmare-inducing thoughts. Thanks for that.” Isabela commented, a little shudder running through her. “So let’s just hope that a hull breach doesn’t occur because that’s definitely not how I want to die.”

“You’re welcome.” Lomea’s glass floated up to her hand and she brought it to her lips. She’d already displayed to Isabela the benefits the Force could offer, though she’d held a few tricks back for another time.

Isabela eyed Lomea’s glass floating up to her hand. That really was quite the trick. If only magic could be like the Force that Lomea had, Isabela would never sleep with anyone other than mages ever again. Because damn. “You have quite the tricks there, I have to say.”

“I saved the best for next time,” she assured her, her eyes glinting with amusement. Isabela wasn’t the only person that Lomea had sampled. She might not be the one that Lomea wanted above others, but she was still very high on Lomea’s enjoyment list.

“Ohh, shivery,” Isabela commented with a knowing smile. “I look forward to it.” And she did. Lomea had been highly enjoyable, and definitely someone that she’d sleep with more than once, if given the opportunity. There may be many people that Isabela wanted to sleep with, but not all of them had the ability to get more than one toss in the sheets with her.

“So, what do you do around here to keep yourself from going completely bonkers when the ship isn’t docked somewhere?”

The Sith usually got what she want. Usually. There was one thing she wanted that thus far eluded her, which had been one of several things to lead her into Isabela’s willing bosom(What a fine bosom it was). And Harley’s (again). And a pretty little ensign below decks on occasion.

That she actually had it bad for Elsa was something she refused to fully acknowledge because it would mean she had a weakness. And Lomea loathed the very idea of having a weakness. Elsa had the unnerving ability to disarm Lomea.

“I used to train someone. A mage named Hawke.” An apprentice. Perhaps even a friend. “But the accursed Nebula stole her away. She had such potential. Powerful in her own right, but held back. I merely wished to see her uncover her true ability. Since I am down an apprentice, I’ve had to find other ways to pass the time.”

“Hawke is quite the force of nature, I must say.” Isabela missed her, even if she felt Hawke hated her for the whole Qunari mess. Which she didn’t blame her for at all, Isabela knew she deserved it. “I’d say you could train me, but I’m not a mage so I’d be rather useless to you in that fact. I can, however, provide distraction and opportunity in other forms,” she noted with a smirk.

“Well, my abilities are more refined than my physical skills, but I am no weakling with a blade.” She smiled at Isabela, her eyes lighting up with mischief and the potential for mayhem. As much mayhem as one could get up to on the ship, anyway. “Do tell.”

“You ever want to spar, I’m up for it.” Isabela always did enjoy putting her talents to the test while also picking up techniques from people she sparred or duelled with. “Well, I happen to enjoy getting up to no good. Being a thief isn’t exactly the easiest thing to accomplish on a ship. But I’m good at telling stories, even pulling pranks on people, generally not being a bore. That holodeck thing could also be used to set up something fun. But if you’re also looking for a good tumble in the sheets to pass the time, I’m also game for that. As you well know.” She smirked.

“The holodeck offers limitless possibilities, and yet at times I find myself not interested in any of them. The curse of choice, I suppose.” Lomea could probably stand to work on her dueling skills. She relied so heavily on the Force at times, and one never knew when one’s ability could be taken away. “Perhaps sparring. And after, who knows?”

“Limitless, eh? Once I figure out how to work the thing, I’ll have to put that to the test.” The look on Isabela’s face as she said that was one that said she had some X-rated thoughts on her mind for that. Though she had other ideas not related to sex to put to the test on the holodeck. “I like the way you think. Leave the options open to see how things progress. Do you know a good area to spar in?”

“There is a place, where we could unleash much of Hawke’s power. That will be safe enough to spar.” Lomea rose to her feet with unerring grace, and folded her hands into her robe. “Shall we?”

“Lead the way,” Isabela said as she stood, wavering her hand towards the door. She waited for Lomea to head out and she walked along with her. “I bet you helped Hawke become more of a force of nature.”

“She already was, but I’m sure you’re aware. I was trying to take her from great, to legendary.” Lomea fell into step alongside Isabela. “We might have gone a little far, on occasion. Our most recent sparring put us in the brig, after I provoked her.”

“Oh indeed I am,” Isabela said. And in more ways than one. Which Lomea also already knew of. Isabela had slept with Hawke, and it had been quite the tumble in the sheets. “Is that so? I simply must hear this story!” Anything to hold over Hawke’s head if she ever came back here.

“There is a way to tap into the power within us. It varies, the rules of your world differ from mine but the outcome and the goal is the same. Blood, or one’s life energy. Or that of another. In the end it is all the same.” She waved her hand, leaning against the wall after leading Isabela into the turbolift. “She impaled me. It was quite a good attack, she caught me by surprise!”

Isabela listened, finding the story curious. Also she may have been picturing Hawke impaling the Arishok. She leaned against the wall of the turbolift as well, though it was more for trying to keep herself grounded. She still wasn’t really used to the thing. “She impaled you?” Isabela’s gaze slid down Lomea, then back up. “Clearly you got better?”

“Starfleet technology is wonderful, you can barely tell there’s a scar there at all.” she could remember it vividly, the blood turned to crystal running right through her. “We had a good laugh about it. Quite fun.”

The lift came to a stop, and the training room wasn’t far away. It was near the gym, but not in the gym proper. Since a lightsaber would probably kill Isabela, she planned to replicate training weapons. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t show off a bit, first.

She trailed her hand across her chest, and two cylinders floated out of her robe. They screwed together in the air , and when she grasped it, a purple blade ignited,casting her face in its light. “This is my weapon. Since there is nothing else on board, and I’ve yet to build another, we will have to make due with something from the replicator.”

“Well, that’s good to know should I suffer any wounds while here. Certainly something to rival magic, anyway.” Anders had quite the healing touch, but if something here was just as good as that, well, Isabela liked the sound of it.

Following along to the practice room, Isabela watched as the cylinders floated in the air and screwed together. She wasn’t sure what to expect from them, but the purple light that ignited from them was not something she’d expected. She took a step back. ”Andraste’s tits. That’s quite the weapon. What’s it called?” Suddenly Isabela really wanted one of those. Or two, considering she was a dual-wielder.

“A lightsaber. The weapon of a Jedi, or a Sith.” The blade went out, and she hung it on her belt. Technically, she wasn't supposed to carry it around, but when it was in pieces, it wasn’t a weapon now was it.

From the replicator, she fashioned a single sword for herself. Dull and round, but with the right kind of weight to it. “What do you prefer?”

“Two daggers, I dual-wield. I’m rather rubbish with a sword.” Isabela could use a sword, but it was a clumsy weapon to her. Zevran had taught her how to use daggers, and that’s what she excelled with when it came to fighting. She was a rogue through and through.

“Very well then. Two dagger it is.”

“Specify design and weight.”

Lomea sighed, giving the replicator a dirty look. “Whatever the last design that someone created or looked up then.”

The dagger the replicator gave them was a curved blade with a flat tip, with a smaller blade that curved back over one's knuckles. Overwall it was shorter than a sword, but would be classified as a long dagger roughly the size of what Isabela was used to. Lomea inspected them, then tossed them to Isabela. “The computer says they are Klingon Mek'leth’s, whatever that means.”

Isabela watched Lomea use the replicator, trying to keep that in mind for later. She was curious as to what, exactly, the thing could replicate. Might as well put it to use if she was going to be here a while. Though when the daggers came out and they were tossed to her, Isabela caught then, looking them over. “Maker’s balls these are bloody beautiful. Oh I think I like these Klingon things.”

“Talk to Lt. Dax. She’s an expert and she won’t shut up about it.” Lomea opened her robe, letting it drop to the floor. It left her in a tight, mid-rift bearing top and a pair of equally tight, matching pants. Red and white, as were her common colors. “Are you ready?”

“I will have to seek her out, then.” Isabela gave the daggers a twirl, getting used to the feel and weight of them. Also so she could better judge their balance. She may have been briefly distracted by that bare midriff but quickly recovered. “Ready,” she confirmed, taking her stance, ready to begin.

Lomea noticed the distraction. She could work with that, flexing her abs and arms as she started to circle Isabela. “I’ll even refrain from using my powers.”

It might or might not be a lie, as she searched for an opening.

Lie or not, Isabela needed to be prepared for anything. She turned, keeping herself facing Lomea as she circled her. Isabela knew better than to leave her back open. After all, stabbing people in the back was what she did.

“I appreciate that.” Even if Lomea would use her powers, Isabela wouldn’t hold it against her. It would be silly of her to not anticipate the potential for a lie.

“Mm.” Stabbing in the back was a Sith tradition too, but Lomea didn’t go for the obvious openings. Instead she slashed, aiming for Isabela’s lovely thigh. The weapons weren’t sharp, but they were both likely to have some bruises when they were done.

Smirking, Isabela deflected the blow with one of her weapons while she aimed her other one to come in for Lomea’s arm. Being a dual wielder did grant her some advantage in the speed of her attacks, but it could also leave her open as well. Fighting someone using a sword was always tricky.

The Sith twisted around, narrowly avoiding what would have been a cut along her arm. She bounced back, to take away Isabela’s advantage in close quarters. “Not bad! Perhaps there’s hope for you yet.”

Though she only had a few extra crystals. One was saved in the diminishing hope that Marian might someday return. But still, Isabela had potential. Perhaps a crystal could be replicated.

“I’m not a duellist for nothing,” she quipped. As Lomea moved back, Isabela needed to recalculate her attack. Lomea certainly had reach with her sword, but Isabela had flexibility. She was also far more acrobatic than most would think upon looking at her.

So, why not put the acrobatics to the test? Isabela shifted her weight to her right foot before coming at Lomea again, her left handed dagger coming at her first. It was a good thing that Isabela was ambidextrous, she could surprise her opponent, changing which hand was her ‘lead’ in her attacks.

Isabela wasn’t exactly slender, though Lomea had learned a little of how flexible she could be. Still, the acrobatics caught her off guard. It really shouldn’t have, she’d fought and slain enough Jedi and Sith to be experienced in fighting someone who flips around like a monkey on crack.

She parried the nearest dagger, trying to dodge back away from the second attack. If the dagger had been real, Isabela would have drawn first blood, shallowly across Lomea’s collarbone. As it was, the sparring daggers gave her a little jolt. Wasn’t that interesting?

Isabela took the ‘first blood’ with a little smirk, but she didn’t let up. She unleashed a flurry of attacks, daggers flashing out. She kept pushing towards Lomea, ending with a twist in the air, bringing one dagger straight down.

Lomea remained on the defensive, and clearly she needed to practice her sword play more. If she was trying to push Isabela to the breaking point, she would have relied on the Force. Lightning and other abilities to push Isabela and make her snap. Exactly what she’d done to Marian. But this wasn’t that sort of relationship, not yet. She wondered how Isabela would fight if her life actually depended on it.

Dropping her sword, she held her hand up, catching the point of the blade with the force, just at the palm of her hand.

It probably looked like an epic standoff to any observer.

“Very good,” Lomea whispered, eyes flashing. “Oh, you’re very good.”

If Isabela fought like her life depended on it, she’d fight dirty. Cloaking herself in shadows, ‘disappearing’ only to come out with a backstab, things of that nature. As it was, she wouldn’t go there unless it became apparent she needed to.

When the point of her dagger was caught by the Force, Isabela at first wasn’t certain what was happening, and she tried to push it forward again, but didn’t get anywhere.

“Thanks,” she responded, eyeing Lomea, uncertain of where things would go from here.

Lomea pushed the blade aside and stepped back, hands out in apparent surrender. “Perhaps we should make this a regular thing. I’d be interested in seeing just exactly what you’re … “ Her eyes traveled up Isabela’s body, “Capable of.”

Isabela straightened up, twirling the daggers, a smirk crossing her face. “I have to say, I’m certainly interested in bringing that out of you as well. So long as I’m not split in two, that would just be a right bloody mess.” Pun intended.

“If you wish, we could push you harder next time. For now…” She tugged Isabela closer with a wave of her hand. “I feel warmed up.”

When she was tugged closer, she chuckled, her hands slipping around that midrift as she eyed Lomea lustfully. “Well then, let’s make you hot.”