Private Do You Even Go Here?

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Korriban
Kor'ethyr Academy
[Codex Information]
General Studies Lecture Hall

Outfit:
Belt of Strength, Field Com-Scan Link,
Well Worn Boots, Weal & Woe,
House Rakghoul Robes

Squad: Haro Aven // Leshanna
New Guy: Varin Mortifer

[VIBES]

​

Lower level students were required to attend a bimonthly seminar that presented useful information to acolytes and apprentices of varied backgrounds, to provide them with a good foundational knowledge of what it took to run an Empire. The course was essentially Econ 101 with a smattering of historical teachings mixed in with career counseling.

Not particularly riveted by the subject at hand (fuel analytics), Naamino Zuukamano found himself distracted half way through the hour long lecture. Haro had made some passing remark about a new guy in class and the zabrak couldn't shake the suspicion that he didn't belong. Naami tried to ignore the feeling, tried telling himself he didn't want or need to gate-keep the entirety of Kor'ethyr. He was successfully staying focused on the mind numbing differences between domestic and foreign fuel standards, when that blasted new guy started carving into his desk where he was seated one row over.

A kind of bitter annoyance started to build up in him, and by the time class ended it had practically stewed into cold and righteous anger. As the professor announced that they were dismissed, Naami stood and was approaching his troublesome peer in a matter of moments. The zabrak kept his voice low and had his back turned to the professor, who was readying to leave themselves, when he asked in an accusatory murmur.

"What's your student registration number? I think staff would like to know about your destruction of school property."

 

[Haro Aven]

​

LOCATION: KORRIBAN > KOR'ETHYR ACADEMY > SEMINAR HALL​

OBJECTIVES: MEET THE NEW GUY​

TAGS: Naamino Zuukamano | Leshanna | Varin Mortifer ​

​

Haro was pretty sure he would've perished from boredom during seminar if it hadn't been for both his favorite Sith acolytes being there to suffer through it with him. The most exciting thing about the class was the presence of a new student, which Haro had pointed out to Naami and Lesh when he'd walked in before class started.

For the most part, Haro behaved himself during class, not wanting to get himself or his friends in trouble, but his boredom made him antsy and easily distractible. Naami seemed to be in his own little Naami world and kept looking over at the new guy. Since the Zabrak's resting face was just naturally surly, it was hard for Haro to tell if he was just curious about him, if he recognized him, or if he wanted to punch him for some reason. Whatever was going on in that horned head seemed to have captured his full attention, so Haro sought distraction and entertainment primarily through Lesh in whatever small ways he could get away with, whether that was sending little messages to her data pad or whispering in her ear when the professor wasn't looking.

What felt like hours later, when the lecture finally concluded, Haro stood and stretched, loosing a yawn and a relieved sigh. "Oh man, glad that's finally–" he trailed off when he noticed Naami moving quickly away. He glanced briefly at Lesh, momentarily confused until he realized where the Zabrak was off to and he bounded after him. He was curious and more than a little concerned about how Naami intended to approach the new guy. He slid up beside his friend just as Naami levied his accusation at the unsuspecting human.

"Heeey man," Haro cut in cordially, giving Naami a cautionary shoulder squeeze and a brief but pointed look before turning back to the new guy with a friendly smile.

"Hey, I'm sorry about him. He's not really gunna report you," Haro dismissed, gesturing with a casual swipe of his hand toward his friend, and laughed it off as if it was just a joke.

"I'm Haro, this is Naamino. You new here?"​

 

[Leshanna]

Naamino Zuukamano // Haro Aven // Varin Mortifer
​

It was so hard to focus in class this particular day. Especially for this lecture - something about fuel analytics or some dumb bantha chit - and though she tried to pay attention and take notes like a good student…she couldn’t help sending little cute messages back and forth to Haro who was seated beside her, occasionally chatting about the new kid that decided to show up for the same lecture - someone she hadn’t seen before at all.

Naami seemed…irked…for some reason, though why she couldn’t really tell. That was until she heard the tell tale sounds of scraping and she turned her head ever so slightly to see that the new kid was…carving something into his desk?!

Was he crazy?!

Honestly though, she couldn’t blame him, this particular lecture was oh so boring - but why didn’t he have a data tablet or something to entertain himself with?? Why did he feel the need to carve up his desk?

Maybe he just didn’t…care?

Soon, the bell rang to indicate that lecture time was over, and the acolytes all got up to pack up their belongings to head off to their next class or destination. Lesh watched Haro for a moment as he stretched and yawned, then her sapphire gaze slid over to Naamino - who was making a B-line straight towards the new guy.

“Oh boy…come on, Haro. Let’s make sure Mr. Horns doesn’t get too rowdy with the new guy…” she muttered as she started making her way towards the two boys, coming in at the very tail end of Naami’s accusation towards the other boy, something about destruction of property.

Oh Force, here we go again. Lesh thought to herself grimly as she circled around the back of Haro to reveal herself at his open side, and settled a piercing stare at Naamino as she crossed her arms over her chest. Don’t be a bully - Was the look she gave him, before she turned her attention to the newest addition as Haro made introductions.

Though he seemed to forget introducing her.

Fine, I'll do it myself.

“I’m Lesh, by the way.” she said in an even tone of voice, giving a small wave before settling back to watch the boys interact with one another.

 

[Varin Mortifer]

sigh “Fuel analytics, oh what a fun subject. I definitely love class work.” He thought to himself before he started carving little doodles into the desk. The dead pan tone of the teacher surely helped his inspiration on his drawings, doodling some designs for a little project he may work on later. Resembling a small circular shield of some sort, who knows if it’ll come to fruition, sure drawing it up on paper might be a better idea but everyone was using datapads. Varin was certainly more old fashioned his father stated it would force discipline into him, i guess thats reflected on his current act of vandalism under boredom.

He could feel a set of eyes burning into him as he drew but he paid no attention to it, afterall he wasnt harming anyone. As he etched in some finishing touches the bell sounded off dismissing class, gathering himself he was certainly ready to leave. Who knows what kind of attention he would draw sneaking in class, surprising the teacher never caught him or just didnt care, Their fault for not doing role call i guess.

"What's your student registration number? I think staff would like to know about your destruction of school property." Came a voice that caused Varin to freeze.

He turned towards this new face as two more students approached him along with the Zabrak waiting on an answer. must be something of a hall monitor, figures theyd believe they own every desk. He thought to himself but before he could make the remark the other boy spoke up causing Varin to quickly shift in his direction glancing at the three of them.

"Heeey man," The boy placed a hand on the zabraks shoulder. Acquaintences perhaps.

"Hey, I'm sorry about him. He's not really gunna report you,"

The boy introduced himself as Haro and as he introduced himself the girl that approached with him spoke up after a bit of a pause, possibly waiting to be introduced.

“I’m Lesh, by the way.” She then gestured with a small wave. Such an odd trio, but nonetheless Varin decided to play the polite game in hopes that he can get out of this peculiar situation.

He looked at the Zabrak with a serious look, “My name is Varin. I was unaware that the academy also had hall monitors. Whats the charge officer?” Varin asked, expecting a name.

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

The quick accompaniment of both his friends definitely altered the course of Naami's energy a bit. He'd been so focused on this Varin guy that he'd completely forgotten to take them into consideration, because of course they'd take notice of him taking off without them.

Naami narrowed his eyes, but Haro started doing his easy going friendly thing and Lesh shot the zabrak a warning look. He pushed a small huff through his nose and finally reigned in some of his frustration, keeping his voice down to make sure no one else got drawn into the confrontation.

"Not a student officer yet, but best believe I'm well on my way."

He leaned over the desk some, placing a large palm on it and tapping the place the human had been carving while watching his face intently.

"You must be new here if you think this is acceptable. Figured I'd let you know right away that this kinda stuff isn't tolerated at Kor'ethyr."

His tone wasn’t friendly per se, but some of the initial attempts at intimidation had left his voice so that Naami spoke in a neutral tone.

 

[Haro Aven]

"I'm Lesh, by the way."

Haro whipped his head around to look back at Lesh, immediately made aware of his foolish oversight, and flushed a bit with embarrassment. He smiled down at her sheepishly and mouthed “sorry.”

"My name is Varin. I was unaware that the academy also had hall monitors. What's the charge officer?"

So the new kid’s cheeky, Haro thought to himself, bemused. He glanced at Naami, hoping the gruff Zabrak wouldn't be too touchy about the wise crack. Though, knowing Naami, he’d probably take it as a compliment.

"Not a student officer yet, but best believe I'm well on my way." Yep, definitely a compliment. Haro held back an eye roll at his friend’s next bit about how Varin’s desk art wouldn’t be tolerated around here.

“Yep. That’s my buddy… always lookin out for the new kid,” Haro remarked, jabbing Naami playfully in the ribs with an elbow.

“Lucky for you, Varin, we noticed before the professor did so we’ll cover for ya,” he said to Varin, glancing around conspiratorially.

“You can make it up to us by having lunch with us and telling us a bit about yourself,” Haro proposed lightheartedly. He placed a hand on Lesh's shoulder and slipped around to the other side of her, closer to the door, as if to imply they should leave since the classroom was starting to empty and they might draw attention to the desk in question by remaining all bunched up around it.

“Lesh is the only one that’s any good company but I’m sure we’ll make it worth your while,” Haro said, flashing a friendly grin.​

 

[Leshanna]

Naamino Zuukamano // Haro Aven // Varin Mortifer​

Lesh watched the interaction between the three boys in silence before she introduced herself, and smiled gently at Haro when he looked back at her with a sheepish expression - her way of silently forgiving him for forgetting to introduce her.

“My name is Varin. I was unaware that the academy also had hall monitors. What's the charge officer?” The new boy, Varin, piped up to Naamino’s comment about the newcomer’s registration number, and she couldn’t help the snort of amusement that she tried to hide behind a hand as she lifted it to cover her lips.

Naami’s eyes narrowed at the smart ass comment, but he responded without losing a beat: "Not a student officer yet, but best believe I'm well on my way."

Lesh eyed her Zabrak friend as he leaned across the damaged desk and she had to resist rolling her eyes at the boyish display that was happening. "You must be new here if you think this is acceptable. Figured I'd let you know right away that this kinda stuff isn't tolerated at Kor'ethyr."

Haro seemed to pick up on the rising tensions and he jabbed the Zabrak in the ribs before speaking up in an attempt to diffuse the situation before it could get out of control.

“Lucky for you, Varin, we noticed before the professor did so we’ll cover for ya; you can make it up to us by having lunch with us and telling us a bit about yourself,”

Lesh smiled at Haro’s comments; he was ice to Naami’s fire, and no doubt without Haro around, Naami would have found himself in more scraps than any of them really cared to admit. Her smile widened further as the boy laid his hand on her shoulder and circled around to her other side and towards the lecture room door in a subtle gesture to get them all to move in that direction and away from the sight of the Professor. “Lesh is the only one that’s any good company but I’m sure we’ll make it worth your while,”

The girl smirked playfully. “You got that right - especially between you two knuckleheads. But Haro is right, we should get going. Lead the way, Naami.” She said, her voice a touch firm towards her Zabrak friend in an effort to get him out the door first and leading the way towards the cafeteria. “I’m starving and no offense, I’d rather stuff my face full of food than listen to you argue with a new guy.”

She then settled her bright sapphire eyes on Varin, and there was a hint of challenge here as she smirked at him. “You gonna join us, new guy? Or chicken out?”

 

[Varin Mortifer]

After hearing Naamino speak of soon being deputized it shocked Varin slightly. Did he not understand sarcasm?

"You must be new here if you think this is acceptable. Figured I'd let you know right away that this kinda stuff isn't tolerated at Kor'ethyr."

Varin shot back in a bit of defiance towards the comment. "Well to be honest i didn't expect it to be tolerated. I was bored, and no one had any pen or papers just the datapads." He didnt know what came over him, he's usually not so aggressive towards most people unless they were to attack him. This student was just trying to uphold a civic duty. Nonetheless theres no going back on what he just said.

"Yep. That's my buddy… always lookin out for the new kid," He noticed before Lesh had introduced herself causing the boy look towards her direction. He seemed like he almost didn't notice her, and Varin isn't too skilled at lip reading but he swore he saw him say "sorry"

Varin took note of Haro’s reaction to Lesh. Noticed she called some form of authority over both of these students, though the other, this Naamino, certainly still tries to assert himself he too seems to fall under her final words. Watching the three of them he notices them gather around him, almost feels a bit surrounding but Varin holds himself. Haro corrects himself after Lesh speaks, almost giving a slight look of….embarrassment? Haro seems to definitely be more of the light hearted speaker while Lesh seems to be the face, meanwhile Naamino seems to be the muscle. Haro complimented his friends after having offered for them to cover for Varin with his artistic expression furthermore offering to dine with them as payment. He then pointed his attention to Lesh as she spoke.

“You got that right - especially between you two knuckleheads. But Haro is right, we should get going. Lead the way, Naami.”

The three of them began to leave the room before Lesh turned to Varin issuing what sounded like some childish challenge.

“I’m starving and no offense, I’d rather stuff my face full of food than listen to you argue with a new guy. You gonna join us, new guy? Or chicken out?”

Varin was stunned, he would never concede to such a childish ultimatum. But something inside burned through his pride that told him now he HAD to go.

“Chicken out? You mean flee? I would never do such a thing. Normally I stick to myself, I'm not a very sociable…..thing. But I suppose it'll help me avoid the authorities.” He glances at Naamino with a slight smirk. “Then I guess I have no choice.” He follows behind the three of them kind of keeping a good two body distance from them. The sith academy is full of students waiting to strike at your most vulnerable, or so he was told. However, something told Varin that Lesh seems to have a tight lead on both of the boys..... for now.

“What are you doing boy? You’re supposed to be training, not socialising. I command you to go back to your room now.”

Varin stops dead in his tracks for just a moment before murmuring immediately to himself almost out of slight frustration. “Shut up. I’ve been training for a couple of days now. I'm taking this break.” He continues behind them.

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

Naamino narrowed his eyes at the snap back, but with Haro and particularly Lesh playing the friendly angle it wasn't as if he could press the issue of vandalism much further. The zabrak stood tall and crossed his arms while the others spoke. Despite his surly and bossy attitude, when the girl indicated they should leave, Naami immediately made toward the door.

With one last cold look over his shoulder at Varin, the zabrak led the way toward the dining hall. Things were proceeding as to be expected, Naami was daydreaming about the loaded sandwich he'd painstakingly put together once they were there and he wondered if there would be an type of big steaks or seafood on the menu today to boost up his protein intake.

Not one to get too distracted by his thoughts if his surroundings needed tending to, the zabrak caught that the new kid was murmuring something strange to no one in particular. He'd noted the strange way that the boy had referred to himself moments earlier, however talking to oneself or strangers spirits was another thing entirely. Naami cast a look over his shoulder to Haro, signing "eyes & ears" in Order military hand-speak. He wanted to know if Haro had caught that too. Cold eyes softened a bit as they considered Lesh, who seemed well in control of the situation with or without her boys to escort her.

"So what're you doing at Kor'ethyr, like are you actually a student?"

Naami asked the question as they rounded the corner to the dining hall just ahead.

Varin Mortifer Leshanna Haro Aven

 

[Haro Aven]

Feeling better after the reassurance of Lesh's gentle smile, Haro couldn't help but grin at her sassy confidence and the way she ordered he and Naami around. When she issued her challenge to Varin, Haro watched with bated breath to see how the new guy would react. The way he referred to himself as "thing" was a bit strange, but Haro maintained a friendly disposition, clearly excited that Varin had agreed to join them.

"That's the spirit!" Haro responded with a teasing irony in his tone as the group made their way to the exit.

As was common when he was in her presence, Haro remained close to Lesh while they made their way to the dining hall, but his peripheral attention remained on the new guy. He too perked up when he noticed Varin murmuring to himself and immediately met Naami's eyes, nodding just slightly in recognition of the hand signs.

Naami's question that followed wasn't exactly friendly but it was a good one. So Haro remained silent, curiously awaiting the boy's answer.
​

Leshanna | Naamino Zuukamano | Varin Mortifer ​

 

[Leshanna]

Naamino Zuukamano // Haro Aven // Varin Mortifer​

“Chicken out? You mean flee? I would never do such a thing. Normally I stick to myself, I'm not a very sociable…..thing. But I suppose it'll help me avoid the authorities.” The new boy, Varin, said to her and Lesh raised an eyebrow at his comments; apparently he had taken her playful poke a bit too seriously.

“Relax dude - I was just teasing you. I wasn’t sure if you were gonna want to tag along with us or disappear back to wherever you came from. Since you know, you said you’re not very social. You don’t have to come with us - but it would be cool if you did.” Leshanna quipped back as she fell in behind Naamino and into the hallway, Haro walking close beside her as he usually did. She heard the boy say something under his breath, and she briefly glanced at him and realized that he had said something to himself. She turned away nonchalantly, though she took note of the strange behavior.

Naami asked Varin if he was actually a student at the Academy, and though the question wasn’t said exactly in the most friendly of ways, Lesh kept her words to herself and just kept walking as they rounded the corner and into the large dining hall of Kor’ethyr. Students from all over had gathered and the hall was already filling up with bodies and voices, the smell of food permeating the air with tantalizing scents and Lesh took her place in the buffet line and grabbed a tray on which to place her food - still waiting to hear Varin’s response. She was rather curious about the newcomer, but she was always curious about new faces that intermingled with her group.

 

[Varin Mortifer]

Naamino Zuukamano Haro Aven Leshanna

Not noticing the odd looks from the others Varin noticed his stomach growl pretty loudly. It had been a few days since he actually ate a meal instead of meditating. He noticed Naamino ask him a pretty straight forward question, to which Varin contemplated playing with them a little further or just coming out with it. The problem is he doesn’t know if they would turn him in.

Varin sighs as he follows them, “Ya know, it's really the damnedest thing. I don't know if you guys noticed a ship crash land not too far from here a few days back. But I was flying that ship when my thrusters gave out. Had to put full shields to the front and bottom of the ship to survive. About a day later I woke up in the medical wing after……crushing a medical droid.” He let out a bit of a nervous chuckle. He looked around a bit nervously as the noise built up in the room full of bustling students.

Grabbing a tray as he grabs some food from the bar he drums his fingers on the tray. “I uh….guess that's why I've been sampling some classes. Helps take my mind off of some….things. But I have mainly been meditating and training in my dorm room. My roommate is out on some sort of medical leave, so it’s been a bit quiet. I had to get out.” As the words just spilled out of his mouth he couldn’t help but kind of daze off lost in memory or the struggle of memory based on previous events, before he knew it they had sat at a table, Varins tray loaded with meats and carbs. He unintentionally gently rubs the now scabbed gash on his temple.

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

The mystery of it all deepened, with Varin's words providing more questions than answers. At first, Naami was too focused on a shaak roast which a cook just deposited under a heat lamp. The zabrak shifted slightly from foot to foot, salivating already and impatient since he'd been pushing himself a lot more recently what with regular workout days dedicated to Leshanna and Haro Aven each. He felt like he was starving, plus the growing pains in his shins had been particularly bad that week and he was pretty sure he needed to up his protein.

The distracting promise of their upcoming feast didn't stop the suspicious teen from hearing Varin and he soon had follow up questions. The words came in a slightly more offhanded tone, given that he was currently focused on fitting two full sized plates atop his tray and carving a huge slab off the roast. Though Naami was a carnivore, he knew the importance of fiber and micro-nutrients so he made sure to stack his second plate high with mashed root vegetable and an almost absurd pile of salad that was threatening to topple off one side of his tray.

"Uh- ok so you're not a student but you've got a dorm? And you came from off planet," Naami put the pieces together aloud, knowing that Haro was certain to ask what kind of ship the boy had crashed.

"Sounds like you must have a sponsor deciding whether to invest in your or not? That, or you're a Bogan blessed lucky bastard to have slipped by this whole time unnoticed."

The surly young man made his way to the check out where they'd scanned student ID chips or manually entered the code. Micah tol Powl had devised a way to scan once and cause a cascade of two or three additional meals to automatically be approved without alerting the droid that monitored the line. The zabrak cast a glance behind, skeptically taking in their new companion and decided in that moment to slip out the override chip Micah made for him so that he could make sure his interrogation of the new guy wouldn't be prematurely ended by the droid questioning whether Varin belonged there or not.