Private Delinquent

[Capris Halcyon]

For all its sin and degeneracy, at the very least Nar Shaddaa was pretty to look at. Maybe that sounded like the same neural impulse which steered moths to fiery, painful deaths, but in all honesty Capris didn’t care much for metaphors. It was best if she didn’t think too hard about why she was here. She’d always been far too sensitive of a person. No amount of snide remarks and manufactured bravado would ever fully veil that.

“A3, what’s the eta? I think our shipment is getting... impatient.”

“Is it?” The astro mech stationed to her left replied, “Or are you?”

“Unhelpful.”

With her shoulders heaving up in a sigh, the girl continued their course down with her right hand. Her only hand as of now. By now she’d gotten used to the distinct lack and imbalance on her left side, a cropped shawl hiding the absence the best it could. Maybe once upon a time she would’ve considered a cybernetic replacement, but those things were pricey, and she didn’t exactly have the funds.

She didn't have the funds for much of anything honestly.

Which was why she was here, doing illegal things for illegal money. Sure, it didn’t feel great to be delivering a vetted Sith Spawn into the laps of some crime lord, but that had to be better than letting it roam some civilian town unsupervised. Or at least that’s what she managed to convince herself of after some serious mental gymnastics. Either way she now had an unconscious Sith Spawn taking up the majority of her ship that she very much wanted off her hands.

Having steered into some nondescript docking bay, the girl took measured steps to where a set of burly humanoids stood waiting. Henchmen no doubt. Capris had worked for this buyer enough times to know the protocol.

Nearly get mauled for the guy, and he doesn’t even have the balls to show up himself.

With the blankest of all expressions, Capris regarded the two men before her, canting her back towards her tin can of a ship, “Cargo’s in the back. You can figure out a way to move it, that’s no longer my issue.” Not expecting much of a conversation, the girl began to turn, her hand raised in a dismissive wave. “Tell Micah to wire me the rest of my credits before tonight and we shouldn’t have any problems.”

There was an unexpected smattering of laughter which punctuated her words. “Tell him yourself.”

Ah, so they can talk. She stopped; one eyebrow arched in confusion.

“He wants to meet with you.”

Gatz Derrevar

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

Ship: The Red Night
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Capris Halcyon Kahlil Noble Valery Noble

Gatz hated Nar Shaddaa. Hated what it represented. Hated how it had stolen the best parts of him, and forged the worst.

He'd sworn he'd never come back to this rotten moon, and yet he'd been forced to return time and time again. But, there were some requests Gatz simply couldn't refuse. Kahlil's long lost Padawan was here, on the Smuggler's Moon, and Gatz had spent a long time trying to track Capris down. It was a simple request the Nobles had made of him, and after all they'd done for him, how could he say 'no?'

The Big Guy had literally pulled a knife out of him. And Gatz could never repay Val for all she'd done for him.

So no, he wasn't happy to be here. He was downright uncomfortable to be 'home.' A storm cloud seemed to have gathered over his head since they'd landed, permanently furrowing his brow, and souring an already dour mood. But it was rare that Gatz was of use to anyone, and even rarer still to be of use to Valery and Kahlil. So, foul mood or not, he was determined to bring Capris home—no matter how unhappy he was to be face to face with his past.

Now, if this 'Micah' guy Gatz had bribed was to be believed, the hangar bay Capris was using to smuggle for him should have been right around the corner. Lo and behold, a few footsteps later, and he was standing in front of the hangar door in question. He only hoped that they hadn't been fed false information, and that he had actually just led Kahlil and Valery to their long lost ward.

"Alright, Big Guy," Gatz tried to sound more upbeat than he felt, "this should be it. She's your Padawan so... do you want a moment alone with her?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil hadn't expected her to run. He had a sad smile on his face even as he could at least confirm she was alive. But to think this was the path of life she chose to do? To use what he'd taught her, even? He'd started to realize it, little by little, just how much he could drive people away. Jonyna Si , even Gatz Derrevar , he had a habit of rubbing off on people in the wrong way and putting far too much pressure on their shoulders about what a Jedi was or was not. Perhpas because of this, Capris had run. Fled, even, without a word as to why.

"I.. Don't think I'm the one who will be able to help her, now, if I'm being honest."

Gatz Derrevar | Capris Halcyon | Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring

Valery looked at the Hangar bay door for a moment, but quickly focused on her husband instead. His saddened smile did little to hide how he truly felt, but her bond with him revealed so much more. He didn't drive people away. He was strong and often vocal in his stance, but the people around him appreciated it. Gatz stood here, wanting to help him for that very reason. Jonyna thought far more highly of him than he likely understood.

Capris didn't run away because of him.

Valery slipped her hand into his and offered a comforting squeeze, "You're exactly who she needs, love," Valery said with a hopeful smile. "When people struggle, they don't always make the right decisions. They're afraid to embarrass or disappoint, even though we'd never give up on them." Valery looked at the Hangar doors again and let out a soft breath.

"Right now, you can show her that you'll never give up on her. That'll mean more than anything." She looked at her husband and squeezed his hand again. If he wanted to go in alone, she'd let him. If he wanted her to be with him, she would always support him. Capris meant a lot to her as well, after all.

Finally, Valery turned to Gatz and offered him a grateful smile. He had done great work finding her, and she wanted him to know that it was appreciated.

Kahlil Noble Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon ​

 

[Capris Halcyon]

That was not a combination of words she'd been expecting to hear. Miach had been strictly avoidant, and now he suddenly wanted to meet her? For what reason? She'd been nothing but good at her job. As far as she could tell there hadn't been any road bumps so…

It was then she felt the presence of three distinct force sensitives hovering outside and her stomach plummeted.

Her immediate thought was ambush. That nerfherder sold her out hadn't he? Maybe to a couple of Sith looking to get their hands back on their creation. Silently Capris reached out in the force, back to the confines of her ship where her cargo laid sound asleep.

She didn't intend to meet whatever welcome party Miach had in store armed with only a blaster. Luckily she had a two-tonne attack dog at her yoke.

"Does he now?" She asked the larger of the two men, "And why is that?"

Her question was yet again met with hoarse laughter and one uneven grin, "Oh he just has a few buddies he'd like you to meet."

Capris couldn't resist an eyeroll, "Yeah, of course he does."

With a quiet poke towards the Sith spawn, she prepared for the worst.

Gatz Derrevar Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

Ship: The Red Night
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Capris Halcyon Kahlil Noble Valery Noble

Gatz found that he struggled to empathize with Kahlil's situation. Not because of a lack of desire to—he wouldn't have agreed to any of this if he didn't care for the Big Guy's plight—but because this wasn't a position Gatz had ever found himself in. He'd never been a mentor to anyone. If anything, he understood Capris more than Kahlil and Valery in this moment. He knew what it was like to leave the Order, and he knew what it was like to run from the people who were supposed to support and understand you.

Truth was, Gatz had nothing to offer Kahlil in this moment. Thankfully, his wife was up to the task.

"When people struggle, they don't always make the right decisions. They're afraid to embarrass or disappoint, even though we'd never give up on them."

But every word—meant to uplift her husband—was like a hammer blow to his gut. Because that was all this moon was to him: every bad decision he'd ever made, and the people who'd paid for those choices. A hundred faces appeared in his mind's eye all at once, so many of which belonged to men and women long dead. His own family ranked amongst them. They'd given up on him, and they'd been right to.

His gaze lingered on the door, zoned out as he remembered every bad memory he'd rather forget. The storm cloud above his head darkened. He missed the smile Valery shot his way, which was a real shame because a little appreciation would have done wonders for his mood. But, standing here and thinking only of himself was selfish, so Gatz shook his head and turned his attention to the problem on hand.

"I know a thing or two about leaving the Order," Gatz said softly, "if Capris is anything like me—and she is—she probably felt like she wasn't getting the support and understanding that she needed. Don't go in there with a lecture. Go in there to listen."

Gatz paused for a moment, frowning before adding:

"And... you should probably go in alone, at first. If we all go, she might feel cornered. That won't help things."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil let out a heavy sigh as he glanced between Gatz and Valery. He wasn't going to argue. He had nothing to argue about. He wanted to help Capris, more than anything. If this was what they thought was best, then; He stood, stretched briefly before making his way to the back of the ship. Nar Shadda wasn't a place for anyone to live on. He stepped from the ship, giving them both a small wave in the process before he looked ahead. It wasn't hard to feel the traces of his runes now. They affected the Force in a unique way, one that he and anyone who could use them would likely be able to tell.

".. Well, here we go."

Then he was off in a jog, making his way down the streets to follow what he did sense. He only hurried once he realized there was something more happening. Hopefully she wasn't in any trouble.

Valery Noble | Capris Halcyon | Gatz Derrevar

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring

Even if Kahlil went in alone, Valery would always be with him. No matter how far, her love, affection and support would echo through their bond and be an anchor if he needed it. Capris, just like any other of their Padawans, was special to them and Valery knew she'd need his help if she had gone down the wrong path. Turning away wasn't every an easy thing, especially not alone. This was a chance for her to understand that she wasn't, and that no matter what happened, she'd have their support.

She always would.

"Thank you for tracking her down," Valery said once Kahlil disappeared from sight. "She's his Padawan, but both of our Padawans tend to feel like family after a while, you know?" It wasn't an uncommon feeling among the Jedi. Masters often spent years with their Padawans, not just to train but to bond.

"It means a lot to us and I really think it'll help Capris to see all three of us." She offered Gatz a smile, patted him on the shoulder, and started walking after Kahlil.

He'd have a moment alone, but they wouldn't remain behind forever.

Kahlil Noble Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon ​

 

[Capris Halcyon]

There was a notable shift in the atmosphere, apparent to anyone with the slightest aptitude in the force. The beast was awake, and beaming out shockwaves of dark energy as it clambered to its feet.

Capris kept a cold, even expression as the two men looked on in confusion. Metal groaned and dipped behind the three of them. She silently hoped the demon spawn wouldn't completely wreck her ship on its way out, but that was something of an uncontrollable factor.

"Miach should know by now, I don't like being taken by surprise." She said decisively, "A little heads up goes a long way."

Admittedly she should've seen this coming. The guy ran an illegal fighting ring for karks sake. Honor was not in this man's vocabulary. She could only hope that whoever ended up being behind those doors was not, in fact, a gaggle of angry Sith.

One of the henchmen almost looked ready to say something, but never got the chance. From the confines of her ship, an low growl gradually picked up volume. Capris ducked as the sithspawn cleared overhead, immediately pinning one of the men to the concrete floor with a beefy paw.

Gatz Derrevar Valery Noble Kahlil Noble

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

Ship: The Red Night
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Capris Halcyon Kahlil Noble Valery Noble

Kahlil didn't seem particularly hopeful about the prospect of meeting up with Capris again, but Gatz couldn't fault the man. He didn't feel very hopeful either. Nar Shaddaa had a way of doing that to people: trampling over them until there was nothing left of the person they used to be. And now, he might have to see that in his own Padawan. Not unlike Gatz's own mother must have seen in him.

He hated this world. And now he was drowning in it, with no lifeboat in sight.

"She's his Padawan, but both of our Padawans tend to feel like family after a while, you know?"

You know? Not really. All he had left were three tombstones, and Valery knew that. Some part of him was deeply upset to even be reminded of that... but he still possessed enough clarity to realize that Val hadn't been trying to reopen old wounds. She'd still done it, and it stung, but that wasn't really her fault.

The blame for their passing lay with him, and him alone.

“I have no idea what that’s like,” Gatz admitted, having never experienced anything like that, “to be ‘found family.’ I have no one. But… you’re welcome.”

He didn't bother trying to sound upbeat, or like he wasn't upset. There was no fooling Valery when it came to those things—she'd always seen right through his attempts to lie to her. So he let himself sound morose. It was honest. And then she patted him on the shoulder. He shook his head, sighed, and trailed along after her.

Gatz didn't think seeing him would change anything for Capris. Honestly, he probably should have just stayed on the ship. But if he had a choice between wallowing in his misery, or doing something for someone else, he'd choose the latter. Better to be productive than to be comatose.

And if nothing else, it was a distraction from the grief now plaguing his mind.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"True, no one likes surprises."

Kahlil let out a sigh as he was the one who came through the doors behind the man who ran the establishment. Behind him, the various bodies of the creatures that had originally been planned to use in the gladiatorial like fights within. He'd knocked them out for the most part, though one was currently standing by his side. A Bha'lir, aged and scarred. It'd likely been there for a while. Tired of fighting, tired of the cage.

It was easy for Kahlil to connect with.

"Sorry for this one. Seemed like they wanted to throw you in for some more cash. .. How are you, Capris?"

He full on ignored the man who ran the fight ring, even as various blasters were now being pointed his way. The only thing he cared about was seeing Capris, making sure she was okay. Trying to understand, really. He gave an almost sheepish smile. Awkward and unsure.

Capris Halcyon | Valery Noble | Gatz Derrevar

 

[Capris Halcyon]

She would've taken the Sith. That would've been far kinder.

As Capris watched her former master emerge from the hangar bay, every one her nerves suspended and froze solid.

For a moment she wanted to entertain the thought this was all a hallucination. But then he gave her an anxious, concerned smile that was far too grounded in reality. That was definitely her master. A paradox of horrifying power and equally mystifying self consciousness.

Immediately she cut herself off from his presence, as to not reveal every thought currently raging through her head. Capris had changed pretty dramatically. Her face was sharper for one, with more scars to frame it. And, oh yeah, and she was missing an entire arm.

After a lapse of silence, Capris raised her palm, silencing the sithspawn as it actively mauled the guy to her left. Its head lulled before buckling under the rest of its weight, pinning the henchman who could only wheeze in protest.

Capris straightened, "Hello Master."

The word felt like sandpaper on her tongue.

"I've been better." She answered, not bothering to give any attention to the bodies surrounding them.

"I assume you didn't come alone?"

Part of her wished he had, even though she knew with near certainty there was probably another Noble lingering nearby. She was also pretty confident she’d had a nightmare about this exact situation.

Kahlil Noble Valery Noble Gatz Derrevar

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"No. I mean, technically Valery is always with me in a literal sense, but she's here already. As is Gatz." Though how much they knew of each other Kahlil wasn't sure. Right now, he just.. Wasn't sure what to say or do. She looked older now. Scarred, even. Hell she was even missing an arm. At least she was able to still communicate with animal- it was a Sithspawn.

He wasn't too sure how to feel about that.

"Is.. Can we talk?"

Capris Halcyon | Gatz Derrevar | Valery Noble

 

[Capris Halcyon]

Valery and Gatz? There was a small flinch in her otherwise even expression.

She watched Kahlil as he watched her, grimly theorizing over the assumptions he was sure to be making. She felt like an ant under a micro scope. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

“We can.” She confirmed, her voice curt in an attempt to not betray emotion. Her head dipped to a decline, as if inviting him to start.

Frankly she didn’t have the words.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring

"You'll know what it's like," Valery said with a dip of her head. "Not all Master and Padawan pairings are great, so that bond doesn't always form. But there will be a time when you're responsible for a Padawan, and you'll know." As a more senior Padawan, it wasn't going to take decades before he'd be able to take on Padawans of his own. It'd be different for everybody, but Valery knew that he'd care a great deal for whoever joined his side.

Because she knew he'd want their experience to be better than his own.

"I think the two of them are talking now. I can feel it," Valery said as she walked there with Gatz. Her husband's emotions were vivid, so she knew he was just now meeting with her. To help him just a little, Valery allowed her presence to wrap around him like a warm blanket.

A message that just told him that it'd be alright.

"I'll wait for his signal before we go in. She already knows we're here, but like you said, it's good for them to have a moment alone first."

Kahlil Noble Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon ​

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

Ship: The Red Night
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Capris Halcyon Kahlil Noble Valery Noble

"I'm tired of making bonds that don't matter."

It was the wrong thing to say. It always was. The bonds the forged now—including with her—weren't important enough and didn't matter enough. He still had no one, he still had nothing, and the only thing he had to show for anything was a large collection of scars. And he still had to come back to this shithole of a moon. Had to come back twice a month it seemed.

His morose attitude turned into a deep anger. He held onto it, tightly.

When they reached the door, Gatz sat down on a low crate. He said nothing, waiting for their cue to enter. He was trying to be patient, admittedly, but every second on this world made his skin crawl. He should never have volunteered to come back here. Valery and Kahlil could have done this alone, they didn't need him to hold their hands. All he really had to do was give them the location.

He was angry with himself for even offering. He was angry with this world for existing. He was angry with Capris for running away in the first place. He was angry with—

Gatz blew out a sigh. Anger was exhausting. He didn't want it.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring

"I'm tired of you never seeing the help, friendship, and kindness others offer you as enough," Valery said as she turned to look at him moping and being angry over nothing again. "You have a lot more friends than when you first stopped being a smuggler and don't even dare to deny that."

"But that doesn't matter to you? When are the people who constantly support you and help finally enough for you, Gatz? It's never going to change into anything more if you can't be happy with having friends." Valery shook her head in disbelief and turned to look at the door. "If a moment like this — when a young girl needs the people she knows and cares about — is your moment to get angry over nothing, then perhaps you should go back to the ship."

"Swallow the jealousy, the anger, and self-pity, and do something that's good for someone else who needs it. You came here to help her, right? Because you do care." She looked back at him and frowned.

"It's not a good look to be like this right now, and it doesn't make others want to form closer bonds that 'matter' to you."

Kahlil Noble Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon ​

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

Ship: The Red Night
Weapons: Lightsaber
Tag: Capris Halcyon Kahlil Noble Valery Noble

Gatz let his head fall into his hands. He couldn't stand being here. It was too much: like two sides of himself were crashing into one another, past and present, and were going to war over him. Except he wasn't only the prize, he was the battlefield too. It was maddening and it was confusing and it made him wonder which half of him was really him? The smuggler? The Jedi?

Or were they both masks, and the real Gatz Derrevar had died with his family?

But Valery was right. Smuggler, Jedi, dead man—it didn't matter. He'd come here to help Valery and Kahlil; to help Capris. Even with this world tearing him to shreds, he could manage that.

"I'm sorry" Gatz breathed quietly, "This world... it's not easy for me, being back here, where every bad deed I've ever done is right in front of me. And you talking about family—anyone talking about family—so casually... I lost mine only months ago."

He let out a long sigh.

"Today feels like I'm being dogpiled by all my guilt and all my grief at the same time. But you're right," Gatz stood up, "none of that matters. The things going on in my head aren't important and they never have been. Capris is."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Good. Cool."

Kahlil stood there awkwardly for a moment longer, glancing around the room yet again. No other threats, not yet at least. They'd probably be here soon, though, if he was going to hazard a guess. These kinds of fight rings were the type to have quite the funding with the animals they'd gotten. Which meant said investors were likely going to be pretty peeved when all communication was lost.

Which, Kahlil honestly didn't care about. If something happened at least it'd be something to break the awkward silence. What did break it was the comfort he'd felt through his bond with Valery. he smiled, briefly, before he closed his eyes.

"Are you safe, Capris? Happy?" That's all that mattered to him. He never expected her to be a Jedi, not if it wasn't what she wanted. So long as she was safe, so long as she was happy, she could do whatever she wanted. It didn't hide the concern in his eyes, though. By all the scars, he could hardly say she was safe. To his credit he was at least trying to balance between the protectiveness he felt for her wellbeing and respecting her choice.

Just, probably not balancing it too well he really couldn't hide how he routinely glanced to her now missing arm here and there.

Capris Halcyon | Valery Noble | Gatz Derrevar

 

[Capris Halcyon]

The question caught her off guard. It shouldn't have, not coming from Khalil.

"Safe enough." Capris replied, still fighting to keep any identifiable emotion from her voice. She didn't bother commenting on whether or not she was happy. Beneath her rib cage, a heart thrashed wildly, the rush of blood nearly deafening.

He must be disgusted with her. She wasn't even a whole person anymore. And all because she'd taken the knowledge he'd entrusted her with and bastardized it for her own selfish needs.

Capris tensed as his concern fell to her missing arm. She almost couldn't breathe through her shame.

"I'm fine Khalil." She reiterated, "Sorry my departure was.. sudden, but I think we both know I wasn't exactly cut out for the Order."

Her impassioned expression gave way to a break of regret.

"Thought it was best if you didn't try and talk me out of it."

Kahlil Noble Valery Noble Gatz Derrevar