Private Do You Even Lift?

[Haro Aven]

LOCATION: WILD SPACE >> KORRIBAN >> KOR'ETHYR ACADEMY​

OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE A WORKOUT WITH Naamino Zuukamano ​

[[ DISCLAIMER: DIALOGUE PORTION WRITTEN BY BOTH Haro Aven AND Naamino Zuukamano ]]​

Students flooded the halls of Kor’ethyr Academy upon being dismissed from their various classes. From Lord Davros’ Sith Naval Warfare class came Naamino Zuukamano and Haro Aven, leaving together not for the first time. This time though, Haro had opted to sit with his new “buddy” during class, then sparked up some casual conversation after and followed him out.

Just a few days ago, Naami had made it clear in no uncertain terms that he didn’t trust Haro and that he would be watching him closely. So Haro would let him. Those who had helped him get here had told Haro that hiding in plain sight was often an effective counter to suspicion because it allowed for more control over the narrative. They had also warned him of the risks of course. Haro had thought long and hard about his recent confrontation with the zabrak, and he concluded there was hope yet for him to take control of this narrative and earn Naamino’s trust. The alternative was too dangerous. So he would lean into his intuition that there was more depth, perhaps more good, beneath that surly spiky exterior than the zabrak let on. It helped that Haro was intrigued by his fellow student. He had actually been enjoying their banter and how easy it was to rile Naami up.​

“So, buddy, am I walking you to Micah’s speeder again? There must be more you want to interrogate me about,” Haro taunted good-naturedly with an impish half-smile, side-eyeing the shorter boy as they walked together.​

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The zabrak scoffed, having remained incredibly devoid of major expression up to that point. It came as a surprise that Haro chose to sit next to him, but his obnoxious enthusiasm was expected. However, he kept his pace normal and without haste to be rid of his peer just yet. ​

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“No-“ the answer gruff and curt, “Working out today, since there’s no martial training again till next week.”​

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“Really? Huh…” Haro perked up, then paused as if considering.​

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“Alright, I’ll join you," he answered as if he’d been invited, though he was well aware that he hadn’t been.​

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“Been thinking about how I should probably start doing that to better keep up in martial training.”​

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“The hells you will…” Naami scowled, not pausing his determined walk but casting an annoyed glance at the bright eyed boy beside him.​

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“Not wearing that anyway,” his tone just permissible enough for Haro to perhaps sense it wasn’t the kind of “no” that would get him punched for insisting.​

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Haro’s smile faltered at the initial rejection and he glanced down at his uniform then back up to Naami. ​

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“Huh? What am I supposed to wear then?"​

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Naami scoffed again, switching trajectory slightly and nudging the other boy with his elbow so he’d follow suit. ​

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“Student barracks have extras, c’mon I’ll show you.” ​

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The boy flashed a rare mischievous grin. ​

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“You really wanna work out with me? Not gonna cry about it to your patron or whatever are you, when you get hurt tryin’ to keep up?”​

Haro didn't flinch this time when nudged as he was growing more accustomed to how the zabrak seemed to like to roughhouse into his space. He matched Naami's mischief with his own grin and barked a laugh.​

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"Hah! Yeah, I promise not to cry if you promise to actually help me get some muscles." He said, grabbing and squeezing Naami's solid shoulders briefly before playfully shoving him away with little effect and falling into step beside him again.​

 

[Naamino Zuukamano]

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

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With a gruff smack toward Haro's unexpected lean into roughhousing, Naami grumbled under his breath. Setting a faster pace, he marched his peer to Kor'ethyr barracks using one of the many subterranean hallways that seemed to magically cover more ground than steps taken. This time, the student military resources building seemed to be perched on a plateau somewhere in Korriban's eastern hemisphere with a view of swampland below. The boys politely chatted with staff, were pointed to cleaned and sorted hand-me-down clothes where Naami bossily guided Haro through the selection of a few outfits appropriate for physical training. There was more than one snide comment about the lanky mechanic's "pockets pretending to be pants" and a thinly veiled threat that Naami would like to shake Haro like a maraca to see what fell out.

Their detour done, the surly zabrak led them back through a different hallway with a sense of direction gained through many months spent navigating the often confusing living layout of Ko'ethyr. He grew more animated with energy the closer they drew to the gym. They entered the locker room first, Naami moving a respectful distance away and turning his back as he changed out of his robe and tailored undershirt. His pants were already well suited to the workout ahead, fitted snugly at ankles and waist but with ample room for mobility of his legs. If Haro Aven stole a glance at his peer, he'd notice the boy's broad back was still a blank canvas- his tattoos stopped short of his shoulders, the lines inking his neck formed a complete loop along the nape of his neck and ended there. The teen stashed all his extra belongings into one of the sleek lockers. Naami carefully pulled a compression shirt over his horned head, calling over his shoulder without looking toward his companion.

"See ya out there, new kid."

 

[Haro Aven]

The academy's labyrinthine layout sometimes reminded Haro of the seemingly endless corridors and alleyways of Coruscant's Undercity and he idly chattered to Naami about it as they walked. He explained how the Undercity folk had superstitions and stories about the dangers that still lurked in the darkest parts of the lower levels – remnants of horrors that persisted even after the planet had been cleansed of the One Sith's undead that had plagued its bowels less than a century before.

Haro patiently stood by as Naami procured him a proper outfit, even thanked him for his efforts. He grinned impishly at the boy's threat to shake him down, not missing a beat in firing back a retort about how much taller and stronger the zabrak would have to be to even attempt such a maneuver. He matched Naami's energy as they approached the gym and headed into the locker room together. He quickly stripped down and slipped into his new fit without hesitation but he did in fact steal a glance or maybe two at the other boy as they changed, taking note of his tattoos but also his well-muscled back, reconsidering his earlier doubt that the zabrak could pick him up and shake him down. Haro lost track of how long he'd been holding the laces of his shoe when Naami called over his shoulder at him and walked off.

"Oh–uh, yeah! Right behind you," he called after him, quickly tying his laces before he took off after the other boy, leaving his bag and clothes strewn about the floor and bench.

His wide eyes were everywhere but in front of him as he stepped out into the gym. Nearly bumping into someone, he apologized as he corrected his course and caught up to Naami.

"Alright. What's the plan?" He asked enthusiastically.

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[Naamino Zuukamano]

Already clearing a space for them to work, Naami seemed to have a reputation at the school gym. Though things weren't super busy that day, Haro Aven could see the way that other students kept out of his way. He wasn’t unkind toward any of them per se, but he didn’t invite friendly chatter either. It also went without saying that in his early days at the academy he often worked out with Gavin which surely contributed to the aura of intimidation.

Striking blue eyes met peridot the moment Haro was in the zabrak’s line of sight and the teen waited expectantly on an open section of floor. The moment his companion drew level, Naami launched into an explanation with accompanying stances.

“Right, so what’re the biggest muscle groups? Even on you, skinny.”

His question was hypothetical and he threw a gruffly playful back hand to one of Haro’s thighs, encouraging him to take the same pose he did. It was a low stance which engaged the legs and Naami raised his arms before him to hover them about chest height.

“Legs, even though we aren’t focusing on training them today. That’s the best way to warm up for pretty much any exercise.”

Then the teen began to take slow sideways strides while maintaining the lowered position, indicating that Haro should follow along.

“Full body engagement- even simple stuff, it gets the hearts pumping. That in turn makes your whole body more receptive. So 20 of these crab-droid walks, a short break and then 20 back. We’ll warm up arms specifically after.”