A Whale of a Tale or Two

[Ghorua the Shark]

https://youtu.be/MgUojCop-JA

LOCATION: FRIDA'S SPACEPORT CANTINA
EQUIPMENT: IN BIO
CURRENT MOOD: BORED

Ghorua the Shark. A name that sent shivers down the spine of men and women everywhere. His brutal scare-tactics often left his bounties so frightened, they sometimes turned themselves in the moment they heard the shark was on their trail. Others fought tooth and nail to finally take down the colossus. Others simply ran.

The legends didn't exaggerate much. Ghorua stood tall at 10'5'', thick black hide armoring his body. His square head was angular, the spark of a predator in his dark eyes. Opalescent teeth gleaming. One might expect to find him busting open the head of some poor criminal. Instead, he was wearing an apron, sitting behind a counter with a dirty dishrag.

The Shark was bartending at Frida's Spaceport Cantina. It was a part-time job, to entertain him when he wasn't on the hunt. Crime was extremely low in the bar, and for good reason. He doubled as a bouncer. A very big, very scary bouncer.

Ghorua tapped his meaty fingers against the counter absentmindedly. Business was slow today. Apparently, there was a shooting not too far away, and people went home, fearing for their lives. Those that didn't have homes crowded into the cantina, obviously not buying anything. They looked to the Shark to protect them. Maybe he would.

With that thought in mind, he continued drumming his fingers, waiting for something to do.

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

It was surprising how tightly some people would hold onto their last few credits, even with a blaster to their face. He had to admit the bravado was a welcome change of pace, didn't mean he wasn't still gonna be that merciful. Of course he'd shot the man, though he didn't see why everyone was so upset, he'd only shot the guy's shoulder. He'd live, painfully of course but that's what you got when you denied the guy holding a weapon at you what he wanted. He continued down the streets with these thoughts going around in his head, along with his destination, Frida's Cantina.

The doors opened rather calmly as he strode in, his black hood up and shrouding his face in shadows as he made his way towards the bar itself. Of course it was silent, and everyone was giving him fearful looks as he moved. His black cloak was flowing behind him as he slowly came to a stop at the counter. He gave a momentary glance at the seated, thing across, the massive bartender, and smiled. "Ghoura, yes?" He'd somehow managed to stumble right into the correct cantina first try, how lovely for him. Once more, the Force seemed to guide him to where he needed.

As he took a seat the individual next to him vacated and went for the safety of the corner away from him. Just fine for Darlyn, his business was with the Shark. "You've quite a reputation Mr. Ghoura, at least they weren't exaggerating your size. Quite an impressive stature."
- [member="Ghorua the Shark"] -

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua had just finished pouring a drink for someone when he saw the man with the flowing black cloak. Rarely a good sign. The Shark's eyes narrowed as the man made a bee line for him. Also rarely a good sign. But, business was business. Perhaps he was being paranoid. He seemed to have a knack for that. Ghorua put on a smile, rows and rows of sharp teeth glinting.

"Yep, that's me. Big guy with big muscles. You want a drink?" Ghorua kept his gaze fixed on the cloaked figure, suspicious. He kept a jovial smile on his face as he patted the pistol at his side. Perhaps he just wanted to talk. Perhaps he wanted to cause trouble. Many of the patrons thought the latter. Ghorua though, thought different.

He wasn't a Forcie, but he had other skills. He could smell the blood flowing through Darlyn's veins. He smelled no adrenaline. The guy apparently wasn't expecting a fight. Yet. The Shark let himself relax. "Perhaps you want something else? You've heard of me, have you? All good things, I hope."

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"I've heard that you're quite a hunter. A monstrous behemoth too." He deposited the credits from the man he shot on the countertop, just enough for a drink and tip. "You wouldn't happen to have any Tarisian ale would you? I could use a drink after this last few hours." He was of course sizing the man up, not looking for a fight but not ignorant enough to be unprepared. Massive, indeed strong. He sensed no force potential, but he knew that was no indicator of deadliness. He chuckled under his breathe, indeed this man fit the bill perfectly. A big, massive hunter.

"You're quite astute as well. Yes I have heard of you, I've begun to make it my business to know of other hunters, particularly those with reputations such as yours." He sat back a bit as he waited for a drink, his hood somehow never seeming to budge even the slightest as he moved. The armoured pieces of his attire were shifting with slight clinks and clanks as he shifted in place. He had to be direct, no? A hunter surely would be aware he was keeping something to himself, especially when it was of some level of magnitude to him. His composure might be calm, but the Shark surely could see through it...

"You wouldn't happen to have a few minutes, Mr. Ghorua, would you?"

- [member="Ghorua the Shark"] -

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Other hunters. So, he's a bounty hunter then.

Ghorua smiled genuinely as he heard the praise. He swiped the credits up as he turned, filling a drink with more dexterity than a being with his size should have. He put it in front of Darlyn, and wiped his hands on his apron. "Lucky for you, Frida's has drink from all across the galaxy. Best place around."

Ghorua heard the clink of armor plates, and sniffed through his blowhole. A small spike in adrenaline as he uttered his last sentence. Perhaps he was wanted for a job? This wasn't the first time he was offered work in the middle of bartending. Ghorua nodded sagely. "I suppose these few minutes won't involve more drink. My shift's over in a few minutes, if you can wait that long."

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Patience is a virtue, is it not?" he smirked, as if having said something clever, and picked up the drink. A momentary, silent sniff to make sure there were no obvious imperfections, such as poisons with scents, and he took a sip. Ah, yes, this was Tarisian ale through and through. He remembered that taste from the last time he'd been able to procure a bottle, after killing one of his Master's targets. Old man had a bottle he helped himself to before leaving. Nothing quite beat it, at least in regards to taste.

All that left, now, was a wait. A few minutes to get the time with one of repute, and learn the one thing he needed from him. Namely, what constituted... ah what was he doing? He had time and drink to wait. What would be the point in entertaining thoughts he would momentarily regardless? He hummed to himself as he drank the purchased ale bit by bit, looking around the cantina every so often. The others were relaxing, seeing he was no threat to them at the moment. That was good, though he wondered if it had been all his fault? "Quite a wound up crowd. Did I miss something before arriving?"

- [member="Ghorua the Shark"] -

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua the Shark looked back at the kitchen, where Frida was. She was a kind Duros woman. She'd hired him in one of his darkest times, when he was on the run from numerous bounties. She was looking at him with a thin-lipped smile, as if she was telling him to take off. Ghorua nodded.

"Just something about a shootout. It's pretty common around this area. People come in here for safety, safety I can no longer provide. I'd say it's about time to stretch my legs, eh?"

Ghorua the Shark strode into a back room, curtains swaying behind him. Thirty seconds pass. Ghorua came outside again, plated in dark armor. A helmet graced his head, hiding his face completely. A bandolier snaked its way around his waist, numerous toys hanging from it's pockets. A large gatling cannon was slung across his back. Under the helmet, he smiled. The others in the tavern looked to him, some in awe, some in fear.

"Alright, Frida. Your shift." With that, he strode past the crowd, gestured for Darlyn to follow, and walked outside.

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Possibly his own then, it was calming to know he still had an effect on people. Regardless,he didn't have much time to think about the words of [member="Ghorua the Shark"] as he returned in his kit as quickly as he had left. Darlyn had to admit, as he looked over the full armour, it was quite.. intimidating to say the least. He rose up at the Shark's motion and followed him out, as he reached into his own uniform to retrieve his own mask. As he stepped outside the cantina, he placed the perfectly smooth mask over his face, a convex mirror replacing his definable features under the mask.

"One hunter to another, I have to admit something." He drew his DL-17 as he spoke, checking it over for imperfections and anything that might be damaged, a bit of a nervous habit. "I've never dealt with bringing targets back alive. Care to demonstrate? Can split the bounties of course, I wouldn't expect you to do anything for free." He had, of course, opted for a very direct approach to the subject at hand. He needed to know how to *not* kill individual targets, and further to restrain them. It would be quite important later, not to mention it would help him judge the skills of Ghorua in case he himself ever needed to run from him.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

As they walked through the streets, Ghorua couldn't help but chuckle at Darlyn. This seemed almost to mirror his first encounter with his mentor. "First lesson, kid; put away the gun. You go around Nar Shaddaa with a blaster out, you're just asking to get shot. Walk casual, but with a purpose."

They crossed a street, and the Shark whipped out his datapad, scrolling through various feeds. "Don't sweat the deaths too much. I almost killed all of my first bounties. And if I've learned to have restraint, I'm sure it won't be too hard for you." He smiled, obviously having fun. "Ah, here we go."

Ghorua passed the datapad to his little friend, a giant finger pointed down at a mugshot of a Rodian. "That would be Alal Unako; Multiple felonies. Assault, rape, public indecency... If you can think of it, he's probably tried it. Wanted by one of the local gangs down here for questioning." Ghorua shrugged. "Sounds like a decent enough bounty. Doesn't pay much, but it doesn't look too difficult. You up for it, Mr... Eh, what's your name?"

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Darlyn relaxed a bit, and after having calmed down and finished checking over his weapon he put it away. "It's an old weapon. Gotta be sure it's not broken, last thing I want is to have 'two fingers' attached to my name." It was a little bit snarky, perhaps, for a reply, but Darlyn wasn't one of those individuals capable of holding in sarcasm or snarkiness easily. In fact he'd oft get into trouble for it, but that was just more fun for him as far as he was concerned. He glanced over at him as he told him not to sweat the deaths, and offered a small laugh.

"I have restraint of myself. Just not when it involves a target. I tend to dismember them, or vaporize them. Or otherwise detonate them packed with explosives." As [member="Ghorua the Shark"] handed him the datapad to look over, he reached up to take it. He looked over the rodian, listening to Ghorua explain the bounty. It was small time, that was true. But it would probably pay for drinks and a meal for a night, which was good enough for Darlyn. Not to mention if he accidentally returned a 'too damaged good' he wouldn't really be losing much. He offered a small nod and handed it back. "Darlyn. Darlyn Excron."

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Darlyn? Hmm, interesting name. I like it!" Ghorua smiled wider, if it was possible. "Well, last seen location for this guy was down on the corner of Hervay and Frick, eighteenth level. Shall we?"

Ghorua trudged to the spaceport, and stopped next to a large cargo ship. It gleamed like a beacon in the squalor, obvious modifications to the weapon's systems. "This is the Whalebone, one of my prized possessions. We just need to stop here, and then we can take a turbolift down." Ghorua tapped a code into the ship, and a ramp slid down. Tumbling out of it, a small bundle of white scales and spikes. Bones rocketed out of the ship, and into the Herglic's arms.

"And this," he said, scratching the Massiff behind a broken spike, "is Bones. Partner, tracker, and friend for life. If we can get her a scent, she'll lead us to this Rodian. How we get that scent is up to you." Ghorua set the Massiff on the ground as she went to inspect the new blood. She sniffed Darlyn's leg curiously, and walked back to Ghorua, spikes raised, growling. "Eh, don't mind her. She must've smelled the tibanna in your weapons. Let me tell you, that stuff has a disgusting scent." Ghorua petted her spikes down, and she settled slightly. "So, before I teach you how to apprehend a man, we first have to find him. What do you suggest, partner?"

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"There are worse stenches in the galaxy. Ever smelled a dead hutt? Those things reek." He chuckled and began to consider how to begin their hunt. Last seen at Hervay and Frick, eighteenth level, he would be long gone well before they got there, if he wasn't already. And if they could find a scent the hound could pick it up easily enough, though it'd likely be covered in booze if he was such a drunkard. He stroked his chin a moment under the hood, before looking up at the man. His eyes seemed to hold some hidden glee at being able to hunt, as he made his suggestions.

"Most of my targets have had friends, family, or simply valuables I could target and obliterate. It's doubtful this low timer has much in the way of friends, but perhaps someone else valuable to them. On our way down to check for any traces at his last seen location, perhaps you could dig around his file and look for something. If there's someone we can threaten I'm quite, talented at that." his hands went back to their natural resting posture, with momentary sparks of electricity forming in his left on ocassion. His excitement was obvious, and it was making him spark like he was preparing to execute a jedi. He'd have to work on containing himself.

[member="Ghorua the Shark"]

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua smiled. That's what he would've done too. He noticed Darlyn's electrical show, and smiled wider. Either he had some lightning-glove shenanigans, or he was a Forcie. "Cool down, Sparky, before you attract too much attention. But that's a good place to start."

Ghorua brought his datapad up, and did a little searching. "Ah. Someone tried to wipe their file. Would you like a guess as to whom?" The colossus's fingers danced deftly over the pad. "I found a lead. He has... A girlfriend. Wow. She must be quite the scumbag to like someone like him, yeah?" Ghorua chuckled. Sometimes, even he was amazed by the galaxy's denizens. "Her name is Talwe. A tooydarian, part of a local gang, the Red Banthas. Her apartment is on the surface, maybe a mile in that direction. You want to intimidate someone, she'd be it. Just try not to harm or kill her. I don't want to start a turf war.

Ghorua walked out to the street again, and hailed a taxi. He climbed into the back, the entire speeder drooping with the weight. "You coming, Forcie?"

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"Wonderful, I think I can manage that. Now uh, define 'harmed' for the purposes of this interrogation. We talking visible marks?" A big, wide grin was on his face, just visible under the shadow of his hood as he followed behind [member="Ghorua the Shark"], climbing in behind him. It was, of course, a bit of a tight fit, but it wouldn't be a problem. It wasn't like he kept his lightsaber on that side, just his blaster, which at no angle would hurt either of them if the big man accidentally managed to depress the trigger.

"It's a uh, bit of an important question. Decides exactly how far the intimidation goes you know." After all, he was by no means exceptionally powerful when it came to the force. His lightning could hurt, or kill, in proper amounts, but without the ability to sustain it long enough he was unable to leave much in terms of marks. But, it was possible her skin would be particularly vulnerable and get burnt easily. And of course, his lightsaber would be out of the question. A shame, threatening to slowly cut apart the victim was always a favorite for getting what he wanted fast. Usually worked.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Physical harm won't get us what we want. Well, maybe it would, but then we'd have a gang to worry about, and if you found me, they could too." Ghorua payed the taxi man, and they began to zip over the ground. "Besides, you said you wanted to learn restraint. This is good practice."

In no time, it seemed, they had arrived at the address. The street was empty, lone neon signs advertising housing. Ghorua stood tall, an black obelisk of dark flesh and durasteel. He looked down to Darlyn, a bit of a smile on his face. "We just have to talk with her until she gives something away. Turns out, Alal was here just a few days ago. I'd put my money on her knowing something."

Without another word, Ghorua walked up to the door, and knocked on it lightly. The muffled flap of wingbeats could be heard from the other side. "Yes, yes, one sec!" Ghorua the Shark looked to Darlyn with a sidelong look. Please don't mess this up.

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

"You insult me Mr. Ghorua, I'm a hunter. They're thugs, you couldn't have hid if you had the republic on your side as far as I'm concerned." He chuckled as they stepped from the taxi, at their destination at last. "Besides. You're a ten foot shark, if I couldn't find you I'd be lousy at my job." He followed [member="Ghorua the Shark"] up to the door, and opted to lean lightly against the side of the building as he waited for the door to be opened.

Of course Darlyn would opt to stay calm as long as he could for this engagement. The, individual, they were going to be speaking with wasn't part of a race well known for politeness when it came to some of these seedy places. Usually they were rude junk mongers, horrible dock managers, or somehow related to bounty hunters and gambling. Suited him well enough, enough bad eggs to give most a horrible perception, enough good ones to make the bitterness of the rest bearable. The problem would only come if she was part of the former, Darlyn would not like to choke the interrogation victim to death before getting what he needed.

Besides, he was just watching for now. Learn by doing yes, but you had to know what to do first.

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Ghorua, smiling, turned back for the door. He might've offended the man slightly, but the Herglic figured Darlyn could take it. He just hoped the Forcie could keep his anger and patience in check. Tooydarians are known for many things, none of them being speed or candor. They would have to resort to a bit of trickery.

Ghorua, without turning, addressed Darlyn. "Alright, follow my lead. By the way, how are your acting chops?" The hunter wouldn't get a chance to answer as the metallic door whizzed open, revealing quite the sight.

A green-hued Tooydarian woman hovered a couple of feet in the air, with a strange assortment of make-up on. She looked annoyed with the intrusion, but when she saw the Shark, her features immediately shifted to fear. "Eh, I didn't do nothin'! Go away." She went to close the door, but Ghorua put one giant hand out, stopping it. "No, no. That's not why we're here. My partner and I, we're... private investigators, and we just wanted to ask you a few questions." Ghorua winked to Darlyn.

"Oh, um..." She looked hesitant to let them in, but also terrified of what would happen to her if she didn't. "Yes, come in." She led them inside, and shut the door behind them. The room was lavishly decorated, with every color imaginable. On the wall, a picture of her with a Rodian, their Rodian, was displayed. "Now, what was it you wanted?"

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Darlyn could play this game just as well. He knew how to hold onto a persona for a while, even if he never had to hold it longer than an hour or so to get where he needed. He bowed his head and followed the Herglic inside of the apartment and glanced around. This certainly was a lavishly decorated room, almost made him vomit. It was absolutely disgusting, so much space was being used up when it could've been put to better use. Granted his own room had been lavish in his own opinion, but at that time he had covered it in what he considered useful items, books and tools and the like. This was too much.

Still, he kept calm and just turned to look at the Tooydarian, opting to speak short and to the point. He would hang back for the most part, observe the room, but if he said nothing that would be suspicious. "My partner is just going to ask you a few questions, for the sake of our investigation. Please give him full and honest answers, it will help us greatly." Polite but with an edge to it, [member="Ghorua the Shark"] could be the 'good cop' for all he cared now. And with that he began to pay extensive attention to the room.

Admittedly a nice picture of them, if there was a nice side to a Tooydarian and Rodian. Would almost be a shame to send the Rodian down to the gang. But he did have a reasonable bounty..

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

"Yes, yes." Ghorua the Shark walked to the frame on the wall, and examined it as he spoke. "How long have you known Mr. Unako?"

The Tooydarian immediately grew defensive. She immediately straightened, her wingbeats becoming more frantic. "He didn't do nothin' wrong! He's a good, law-abidin' citizen!" Ghorua smiled slightly, and looked in Darlyn's direction. He had a plan.

"No, you misunderstand. He hasn't done anything illegal. But, he is a scumbag."

"No! If you're goin' to insult my love in my house, we have a problem!" Talwe was obviously enraged. Perfect. Now to direct that rage.

"You see, Miss Talwe, we've been sent on his trail by his... other girlfriends." Ghorua's voice was surprisingly sincere. He was an excellent liar. His eyes held an overwhelming sympathy for her as he turned her way. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way." He turned to Darlyn, same expression on his face. For but a moment, his mouth curled up into an amused smile, then reverted to pseudo-sadness.

- [member="Darlyn Excron"] -

 

[Darlyn Excron]

Darlyn managed to keep a straight face, rather than laugh at the situation as a whole. Tooydarians were so happy about their immunity to force mind tricks, but they didn't need to do that to win this contest of wits, did they? So instead of laughing, he nodded his head as he began to walk around the room slowly, observing what he could. "A shame indeed... the other one was quite surprised too. A Twilek dancer, right? Pretty green thing, seems he had a penchant for the color."

He paused by one of the shelves, and bent down, picking up a syringe from the ground. He lifted it to his nose and gave a short sniff, wrinkling his nose at the scent. Blood, and the yellow liquid still left inside it suggested it was a death stick injection. He stood up with it, turning it over in his hand. Careful not to prick himself with the needle, he turned to look at the Tooydarian. "You strike me as a smart woman, never imagined you might be an addict. Unless this is his?" If their ploy was working the vengeful woman might rat him out. Though he assumed that the rodian was an addict to something, if it was a death stick addiction they could narrow it from there. After all, not that many distributors were within walking distance..

[member="Ghorua the Shark"]