Private Far Down Below

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

The dim glow of neon signs flickered in the hazy Coruscant underworld, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the crowded streets. Valery adjusted the strap of her leather harness, her outfit — a blend of rugged practicality and allure — blending perfectly into the seedy environment. Her boots clicked softly against the pavement, each step deliberate, each movement oozing confidence and control.

The distant roar of a crowd grew louder as she approached the entrance of the fighting pit. The sound of fists meeting flesh, the clash of metal, and the occasional triumphant cheer punctuated the muffled din. Valery paused for a moment, her amber eyes scanning the area. The grimy walls of the alley bore witness to countless deals and betrayals, while the bouncer at the pit's entrance barely spared her a glance — her confident stride and the glint of determination in her eyes marked her as someone not to be trifled with.

As she neared the door, the noise intensified, each blow resonating like thunder in the enclosed space. Valery inhaled deeply, the stale air tinged with sweat and adrenaline filling her lungs. She adjusted the glove on her left hand, her fingers flexing slightly as she pushed past the entrance, descending into the pit of chaos below. The metallic tang of blood and the raw energy of the crowd enveloped her, and for a brief moment, she felt the familiar hum of tension that preceded every battle.

Valery's eyes narrowed, her senses extending as she moved through the crowd toward the edge of the fighting ring. She could see shadows darting in the pit, and the sound of combat echoed louder now — sharp grunts of exertion, the dull thud of impacts, and the thunderous roar of the spectators urging the fighters on.

Her mission had led her here, but she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight's encounter would be different.

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Get paid, get drunk

The ring was all X could see, with the bright floodlights drowning out everything else as they bathed the dirty canvas and the two fighters in an unending yellow-tinted glow. X couldn't feel his attire, which was limited and tight fitting to give nothing for an opponent to grasp. His beard was tucked into his breath mask, his eyes were watchful on his opponent. He moved easily still. This fight was in the fourth round, and he'd taken little punishment. Tonight's bout was unarmed fighting, bare knuckles and no protective equipment. It was considered extremely poor form to kill or cripple an opponent. Though he had done deathmatches before and probably would again, the purse from tonight's fight was not insignificant.

The other fighter threw a hard punch that X saw coming, though the tall Corellian had tried to hide his intent. X sidestepped and countered with a hard elbow to the jaw, which got a roar of approval and dismay from the crowd depending on where they had laid their bets. He had not been on Coruscant long, not long enough to find a place to live, but he'd been there long enough to know unlicensed fights like this were usually fixed. He had been approached by representatives of the local crime family. He'd taken the money, and made it quietly clear he wasn't going to take a dive. So far they hadn't asked him to do that. But they wanted the fight to end in the fourth round. He'd make his own profit from making that happen. It was safer than saying no.

As X prepared to end the fight, he could see it was already over. The Corellian did well to get back to his full height, but the experienced eye could see the man's eyes were still glassy. The former history professor looked like anything but as he moved slowly toward the other fighter. The crowd roared with anticipation. The Corellian got a fast right hand punch off, which X took on the crown of his head, not bothering to block. That was the last blow he'd strike. A heavy uppercut to the man's jaw was delivered by a meaty fist, and that was it. The crowd cheered and groaned. The Corellian fell to the canvas, out cold. The bell rang, and the fight was over.

Xochicalcu simply walked away as the fight attendants and medics came in to deal with his fallen adversary. He didn't care about the crowd or any approval. Certainly not from the sort of scum who hung out down here in the Underworld. Back in his own mind, X put away his fighting gear in a locker, showered, and donned a simple black robe with short sleeves. Then he exited the secure area through a side door, and entered the public area. He'd get a drink or three, and then go back to his ship to sleep.

There were several bars on different levels of the fighting pits. He wandered into the crowd, mixing easily as those who did recognize him gave him room, and everyone else ignored him, which he preferred. When he got to the bar, there was a full size glass of beer waiting for him. He caught the bar tender's eye and gave the young twi'lek a smile. Thanks Orry! X growled through his breath mask, waving. Busy as always, Orry waved back, flicking her blue lekku as she efficiently went up and down the bar, taking and filling orders.

Xochicalcu turned back toward the fighting ring, watching disinterestedly, sipping his cold beer.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

The crowd's roar filled the air as Valery leaned against the railing, her amber eyes locked onto the ring below. Every move in the fight was precise, brutal, and efficient. Yet, her focus wasn't solely on the action — it was on the fighter delivering the devastating uppercut that brought the match to a definitive close.

She watched closely as the victor, a tall, rugged figure with a commanding presence, moved with a calmness that belied the raw energy of the arena. His breath mask obscured much of his face, but his eyes told a story of control, experience, and something deeper — something that caught Valery's attention beyond the physical.

As the fight concluded and the crowd buzzed with mixed reactions, Valery pushed off the railing, her thoughts lingering on the man's performance. His demeanor wasn't that of a typical fighter basking in glory or seeking attention. No, he carried himself with a reserved composure, detached from the chaos around him. That alone set him apart, and her instincts told her there was more to him than met the eye.

Her gaze followed him as he disappeared into the crowd. She noted how others parted for him, some offering brief nods of respect, while others simply kept their distance. Valery slipped into the throng, weaving through the sea of spectators with practiced ease, her sharp eyes never losing sight of him.

Moments later, she found herself at the bar, where the rugged fighter now stood, beer in hand, his attention momentarily on the pit below. The soft glow of neon lights illuminated his strong features, his silver hair tied back in a no-nonsense manner. Even through the mask, Valery could see the quiet intensity in his posture, a man who seemed more comfortable observing than engaging.

Valery approached the bar, her presence deliberate but unassuming. She leaned slightly on the counter, glancing over at him with a small, knowing smile.

"Impressive fight," she said, her voice smooth, carrying just enough weight to cut through the ambient noise. "You made it look effortless."

Her eyes flicked briefly to his drink before returning to him, studying his reaction. There was no mistaking her interest — not just in his skills but in the quiet strength he exuded. Rugged, calm, and entirely at ease in this chaotic environment. It was a combination that intrigued her, and she wasn't one to let curiosity go unanswered.

"Mind if I join you?"

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Get paid, get drunk

"Mind if I join you?"

The beer was good, freshly made local brew, and cold. Xochicalcu was paying little attention to the roaring crowd or the fight, thinking about little. He heard a woman addressing him, and turned to look. At first he noticed her eyes, with a quiet intensity it seemed to him. Then he noticed the outfit, which the handsome woman filled very nicely. She wasn't one of the local working girls, but she could have made good money as a dancer. She gave off no sign of being wary or cautious, and this was a fairly unsavoury establishment, but she acted like she belonged.

He appreciated the compliment in the intent it was given, though in truth there hadn't been anything impressive about that particular fight. The Corellian was young and far too focused on power over speed. Xochicalcu could have ended the bout in the first round, but that wasn't the order of the day. He didn't smile, but neither did he tell her to go away. The pit fighter still wasn't sure that this woman wasn't the wife or girlfriend or daughter of somebody connected to local organized crime. He didn't need that sort of trouble.

Please. He said through his breath mask. It wouldn't do to give offence if she was connected in the underworld, either. Deciding to keep the conversation to safe subjects, he offered a comment. There's something more admirable about the contest of unarmed combat. A chance to teach. His breath mask hissed as he chuckled, surprising himself. A man who loses a deathmatch learns nothing. Xochicalcu rested easily against the bar, not moving any closer to the newcomer, but not moving away either.

Xochicalcu was intrigued by the woman, that much was probably written all over his face. He was still cautious, for there could be many explanations as to who she might be and why she might be in such a place, not all of them good news for him. Maybe that was a little selfish, but it was first and foremost survival. The best fighter in the galaxy was no good at all against a blaster or bomb. It did not pay to make enemies in the criminal underworld, and it was very easy to do if one was not thoughtful and careful.

Sipping at his beer and not looking at the woman too much seemed like the safest course of action until he knew more. Orry had already seen them but shrugged at X when he glanced that way as if to say I don't know who she is. No help from that quarter. Perhaps more conversation would reveal further details. Perhaps not, after all this was the criminal underworld and nobody went around telling strangers their life story just for kicks. He decided to try something he had learned a long time ago.

So?

Asked nonchalantly with a glance, implying the subject of the question knows what they are being asked. The inquiry the metaphorical equivalent of just shaking a tree to see what falls out. Not terribly subtle to the initiated and educated, but X was both curious and cautious in this situation. So, who are you? So, what are you doing here? So, who do you belong to? So, what sort of interesting person comes to a place like this looking like that with no apparent fear and walks right up to a big guy in a face mask to make conversation? He was anything but bored, and that was a lot more than happened most days.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery noticed the subtle shift in Xochicalcu's stance as she spoke, his body language controlled but revealing hints of curiosity. Through the faint hiss of his breath mask, she caught his quiet response — a polite invitation to join him. Without hesitation, she slid onto the barstool beside him, her movements fluid and confident.

She smirked slightly, her amber eyes catching how his gaze briefly lingered on her figure. It wasn't overt or disrespectful, but it was enough to tell her that he'd noticed how well she wore the outfit. Valery wasn't the type to shy away from such attention; in fact, she welcomed it, especially when it came from someone who piqued her own curiosity. As he sipped his beer, she let her eyes drift over him in return, taking in the broad shoulders, the well-defined muscles, and the quiet strength that radiated from him. The man was a foot taller than her, and every inch of him looked like it was built for both power and precision.

Her smirk deepened as her gaze returned to his, her confidence unwavering. "Unarmed combat is definitely more personal," she remarked, picking up on his earlier comment. "It strips away the crutches of weaponry and forces you to rely solely on your own skill and resilience." Her tone was smooth, her voice carrying a certain weight that made her words linger. "And from what I saw, you've got both in spades."

Valery leaned slightly against the bar, her posture relaxed but with an unmistakable air of purpose. When he asked his simple, nonchalant "So?" she caught the layered intent behind it. It was a question without formality, an open-ended probe meant to gauge her response and perhaps reveal more about her.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she met his glance head-on. "Just someone who appreciates a good fight," she said, her voice low but carrying a teasing edge. "And someone who knows talent when she sees it."

She paused briefly and hummed in thought, "I suppose it's the way you handled it that piqued my interest."

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Get drunk

More intrigued now than he had been, for whatever he might have expected to hear, she had surprised him with her frank and honest sounding answer. A little confident that she hadn't identified any sort of association he might need to know, Xochicalcu mentally noted that clue away as he sipped at his beer. He wasn't a young buck to be taken in by compliments or flattery, but he did appreciate the compliment in the spirit in which it seemed to have been given.

What's the offer? He did not ask. He was beginning to suspect that this woman might be a recruiter or talent spotter for one of the other fighting dens. Maybe even offworld given that she looked well-off and polished. Add that to her obvious confidence, and she might just work for someone more important than his current crop of employers. Xochi was intrigued. Though he tried to maintain his air of nonchalant disinterest, mentally he was focused on the woman leaning on the bar beside him.

Tonight's fights were a special request for one of the owner's... associates. Xochicalcu caught himself before saying too much. He raised his beer and looked across the fighting pits to a closed in glass windowed private box where the owner was holding a private function. If you want to see a good fight, come down for the deathmatch tournament next week. Thirty two fighters. Very dangerous. Lots of credits. He'd been training for what they had dubbed the Five Stages of Hell tournament for weeks, it would be his first deathmatch on Coruscant, and the best chance to collect a large payday.

He knew a solid confidence that he could handle himself in that sort of environment, he'd been in thirty six death matches on Taris, on Geonosis, and on Ryloth in an underground spice den for a Twi'lek Warlord's name day party. He hated fighting in melees, the more involved, the more chance of accidents, no matter your level of skill and experience, and how careful you were. One on one, he could handle himself. He knew that he had no choice but to win. Even if he managed to lose and survive through injury, the bosses would blame him for their losses, and that would end his race quickly. The crowd roared as one of the fighters struck a hard blow in the ring below. X saw a Jawa jump for joy and scream 'houteenie' among a crowd of Quarren and Weequay.

The noise level came back down as the fight ended a moment later. What's the best fight you've ever seen? He asked another loaded question. If she was really a recruiter or a talent scout, she'd have a good answer ready. If there was something else going on here, for what man was not slightly suspicious at being approached by a beautiful woman for no good reason? He would soon work it out. Xochicalcu's mind turned away from combat arenas, because he'd never forget the best fight he'd ever seen, on a muddy battlefield in the driving rain, as a wounded private held off ten raiders over the body of his fallen commander. That was soldiering. As his breath mask hissed, Xochicalcu drank at his beer hard, trying to avoid drifting off into painful memory.

He turned slightly to catch Orry's eye for another beer, and also to look at Valery. He didn't expect to be able to read her facial expressions and mannerisms, certainly without knowing her better, but you never knew what clues someone might show when caught off guard. Though he already suspected no one caught this particular one off-guard. Orry waved at him from back down the bar to show she'd seen. Xochicalcu took that moment to watch Valery, both his eyes on her.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery noticed the subtle shift in Xochicalcu's demeanor as he spoke, his measured tone and carefully chosen words reflecting the thoughts spinning behind his gaze. The hiss of his breath mask added a rhythmic undertone to his speech, a quiet reminder of the life he'd likely led — one built on calculated risks and unyielding resilience.

At the mention of the deathmatch tournament, her brow arched slightly, though she kept her expression neutral, even as her curiosity deepened. Thirty-two fighters in a high-stakes battle for survival. It was brutal, dangerous, and exactly the kind of environment that would draw someone like him.

"Deathmatches, huh?" she mused, her voice calm but with a hint of intrigue. "Dangerous, indeed. But for someone with your experience, I imagine that's just another day in the ring."

Her gaze followed his briefly to the private box where the supposed patrons of tonight's spectacle observed from behind glass. The underworld had its many players, and Valery had seen her share of it — from smugglers and bounty hunters to ruthless pit bosses who thrived on blood and credits.

When his question came, it was loaded with intention: What's the best fight you've ever seen?

Valery's lips curled into a small, thoughtful smile, and she tilted her head slightly as she considered her answer. "The best fight I've seen?" she repeated, "It's hard to say. I've seen so many that were unique or interesting for a variety of reasons."

She let that hang in the air for a moment, then her smirk returned, more playful now. "But if we're talking about sheer entertainment, I once watched a Wookiee and a Trandoshan settle a long-standing grudge in a duel. The Wookiee walked away with a few scars, but the Trandoshan..." She chuckled softly, leaving the rest unsaid.

Valery reached for her drink, taking a small sip as her amber eyes met his again, her demeanor both calm and enigmatic. "What about you?" she asked, her tone turning curious. "What's the best fight you've ever seen?"

Her gaze lingered on him, not just studying but appreciating the layers beneath the surface. She knew he was watching her closely, searching for tells or clues, but she had nothing to hide. If anything, she enjoyed the subtle dance of curiosity and caution they were engaged in.

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Get drunk

Now he was almost certain that she was a recruiter. No other option made sense to him with the information he had gleaned thus far, and so he could safely discuss some topics without getting himself into trouble, along with it probably being safe to continue the friendly conversation without offending someone or other. He did learn one thing, assuming she wasn't playing him. She'd never fought in a deathmatch. Those were anything but another day in the ring. Going into a deathmatch with that mindset would get you dead.

Xochicalcu let it lie for now. He was intrigued enough that he didn't mind too much why she was here. So long as it wasn't going to cause a problem he could avoid, that was enough for him. He finished his beer before speaking, managing to put it down just short of Orry returning to them with another fresh full beer for him. They exchanged smiles, and then he took his fresh drink and turned back to face the fighting ring, back to the bar.

He wasn't ready to tell war stories, not even a little bit, but he'd seen many good fights, so it was fairly simple to choose one of them, and it helped that it was a true story. He didn't need to embellish or exaggerate. Best fight i ever saw was on Geonosis. They put a criminal in the arena to be executed. Sent in four gladiators to get the job done. He killed all four. They sent in six more. He killed all of them. Stood there over ten bodies as the whole crowd went dead silent. Though that wasn't the end of it, one against four and then one against six back to back was fairly tough odds to overcome, and though it hadn't been particularly elegant or traditional, it had been brutal as hell. Though what had come after was its own form of brutality.

After all, Xochicalcu didn't need to imagine what had happened to the Trandoshan in Valery's story, he knew all too well how that sort of fight and grudge was ended. Messily and permanently. The same way that heroic doomed criminal had ended on the sands of the geonosian arena. The same way everyone ended one way or another. He drank his beer and tried to think positive.

He was still playing a little bit coy with Valery, by not asking another question, the one he really wanted to ask. What's the job? If she really was a recruiter as he suspected, she'd get to that in time. Maybe she really was just here to watch the fights, a fan of the sport, enjoying her downtime. Whatever this turned out to be, he was enjoying the spirited company, and the chance to solve a mystery. It didn't hurt that she was pretty, either, though that alone would not have been enough to keep his interest.

This time he'd let her ask the questions, and try to glean from those more about who she was and what she was really about. He had his suspicions, but he wasn't sure about anything just yet.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery listened intently to Xochicalcu's story, her amber eyes focused on him as he recounted the brutal fight on Geonosis. She could almost see the scene play out — the criminal standing defiant amidst a growing pile of bodies, the silent crowd bearing witness to an unyielding will to survive. It was raw, unfiltered violence, but beneath it, she sensed a deeper story of desperation and resolve.

Her gaze drifted momentarily to the fighting ring below, where another bout was unfolding, though it paled in comparison to the visceral tale Xochicalcu had just shared. It reminded her of the darker undercurrents of the galaxy, where life was often reduced to a brutal struggle for survival. She had seen her fair share of battles, but there was something about the arena's pitiless nature that set it apart.

"Geonosis," Valery finally said, her voice thoughtful. "It's always been a place of blood and spectacle. I've never been to its arena, but stories like that… they leave an impression."

She took a sip from her drink, her thoughts swirling. Xochicalcu's sharp mind was evident; he was observing her as much as she was him, carefully weighing every word and action. He was curious, trying to piece together why she was here, and whether she posed a threat or presented an opportunity. His caution was smart, but it left her with a choice.

How much should she reveal?

Valery let a small, genuine smile curve her lips. "I'm glad to have met someone like you here," she said, her tone light but sincere. "I don't often find myself in this part of Coruscant, and when I do, the conversations usually aren't nearly as enjoyable."

Her eyes flicked toward him, a hint of playfulness in her expression. "That's why I approached you. You stood out — not just because of your skill in the ring, but because you're someone who seems worth talking to."

"You felt... calm."

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

Interesting, he mused silently. Now he wasn't nearly as sure as he had been that she was a recruiter. She didn't talk like one, and she didn't seem disingenuous to him. Maybe she really was genuine. That didn't explain what she was doing in such a place, but maybe it was just a random occurrence after all. Despite his caution, his intrigue was only fueled by the mystery, and he was more resolved to follow the course of conversation than he had been up to now.

I am calm. Xochicalcu smiled, though the breath mask hid most of it, it carried to his eyes as he looked into Valery's. It was tricky not to glance down at the fine industrial engineering that must have gone into her blouse. But you can call me Hoot. He looked away before the woman's powerful gaze could see too much. Her eyes were alive with intelligence, and he suspected they saw a lot more than she would let on. Not one to want to expose his own secrets to the world at large, he looked back at the fighting ring. And away from the eyes and the blouse and its contents. Safer that way in many ways.

I'm glad to have met you too. He said, mask hissing again. She could give him a name to put with the face, whether it would be a truth or a cover name was immaterial. Hoot wasn't his true name, but it was what people around here knew him as, and it was far easier to pronounce than either of the names he had been given by his parents. Close enough to be practical, he chose to go by nickname for the sake of convenience.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery caught the way his eyes shifted, the flicker of hesitation as he looked away. She smiled to herself — not out of vanity, but out of amusement. Xochicalcu, or rather Hoot, as he preferred, was an intriguing mix of calm confidence and measured caution. He carried himself like someone who had seen more than his fair share of chaos, but still knew when to play it cool.

"Hoot, huh?" she said, her voice smooth, with a playful undertone. "I like it. You can call me Valery." She offered the name simply, with no hint of formality or embellishment. It was honest, and she hoped it carried the sincerity she intended.

As the next match began, Valery leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the bar, her gaze shifting toward the ring. Her blouse shifted with her, the open neckline teasing just a little, "Looks like this fight might be worth watching," she remarked casually, her eyes flicking back to him for just a second. She could see the faintest hint of a smile in the way his eyes crinkled behind the mask.

"It's not often I meet someone down here who can hold a real conversation," she added, her tone sincere but still light. "Most people are too busy posturing or trying to prove something."

She paused, then continued, "Do you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?"

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

A name he could now put to the face. Valery. He said the name with a friendly smile, testing how it sounded in his own voice. If he had been the sort to pay attention to the news media, he might have put the name with the face, but he was not and did not. He snorted, and snuck a glance at her as she said the next fight might be worth watching. He was personally more interested in watching the hyperactive and probably intoxicated and overstimulated Jawa wildly gesticulating and hollering over by the betting parlour than in the fight down in the ring. Valery, though, was something worth watching, that much was clear.

She leant forward, and the blouse of impressive engineering shifted with her, accentuating her femininity in a very pleasing fashion that no red blooded male was liable to miss. She certainly was genuinely comfortable where she was, and that confidence matched with her obvious intelligence was something that intrigued the former teacher turned pit fighter as much and more as how she filled out her outfit. He was doing his best not to be distracted by her feminine form. The manic Jawa helped. Her question was a fair one, and while it was the sort he'd expect to hear from a recruiter, Xochicalcu was not at all sure that Valery was a recruiter anymore.

Absolutely not. Xochicalcu said in answer to the direct question, mask hissing. His tone was also light, matching her own, but he put all the seriousness in the galaxy into those two words. Prize fighting to him was simply a means to an end. A way to make credits out of his talents, and maintain the slim hope of finding a link to his lost family. No, he wouldn't be doing this forever. A few more months maybe, another planet or two, and he'd have saved enough to support himself indefinitely, or at least for the rest of his natural days.

Upon reflection and a sip of his beer, he decided she deserved a better answer than that. So, despite his caution, he gave one. I'd rather not have to fight at all. But this pays better than teaching. He was honest about his intentions, which wasn't exactly a prudent course in the current environment, where everyone was out for themselves and whatever they could get. But he didn't think Valery was the sort of person you usually encountered in this environment, and so he felt safe in showing her a little of his true self.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery watched him quietly as he spoke, her amber eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and understanding. His blunt "Absolutely not" earned a slight nod from her, a silent acknowledgment of his honesty. The pit fighter life was not a path for most to walk forever, and she respected that he didn't try to dress it up or hide his true feelings about it.

Her gaze lingered as he took a sip of his beer and elaborated, revealing a layer of himself she hadn't expected — a former teacher, someone who had once lived a different life entirely. She could sense the weight of his words, the unspoken reasons that drove him to fight. This wasn't just about survival or glory. It was about something deeper, more personal.

"Teaching, huh?" Valery finally said, her tone gentle but intrigued. "That's not a path many would expect from someone like you, especially here." She smiled softly, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned against the bar. "But I get it. Life takes us in directions we don't always plan for."

Her gaze flicked back to the ring for a moment as the crowd roared, but her focus quickly returned to him. "I respect that you're doing what you need to, even if it's not what you want forever. Not everybody has the courage to make those choices."

She paused, her expression growing a little more serious. "You said you'd rather not have to fight at all. If you had the chance to walk away from it tomorrow, what would you do instead?"

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

Those words led to a hope that Xochicalcu refused to allow himself, a door that he fervently kept closed in his mind. That way lay despair and doom. Twice, he had a family. Born into a loving family, the galaxy had conspired to take them away. He had rebuilt himself, and his life, and grown a new family, a loving wife and happy healthy children. Again, the galaxy had conspired to take them away. Again, he had been forced to rebuild himself. No, he could not afford hope.

Teach, maybe. I don't know, Valery. That was a half truth. Deep down he knew he wanted to return to the loving embrace of a family, to accept and be accepted, but he knew in his heart that it was a forlorn hope. He was set on a life path which was likely doomed to failure, to follow hidden clues to find children who might already be years dead. Until he found that truth, he couldn't envision ever departing from his path.

Xochicalcu's eyes stayed distant, away toward the fighting pit, trying not to think of hope. His best hope was to solve the disappearance of his children and take his revenge before he died. And even that goal seemed to him an impossible one. He was not a man for whom hopes and dreams were an every day thought. The galaxy had conspired to make him a practical man, focused only on his doomed path.

Truly, he didn't know what he would do. If he ever got the chance. He'd never considered it, for to consider his own future was to court hope, and that he could not do. That might very well break him again, this time for good. Then he would be even more of a failure than he already was.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery's gaze remained steady, her amber eyes soft with quiet understanding as Xochicalcu spoke. She didn't press him when he offered a half-hearted answer — Teach, maybe. There was more beneath the surface, layers of pain and guardedness that she could sense but wouldn't force him to uncover. Some wounds were too deep to be exposed by anything other than time and trust.

"Teaching is a noble path," she said gently, her voice low enough to blend with the ambient noise of the cantina. "It's about more than just passing on knowledge. It's about shaping lives, guiding people to be their best selves." She paused, letting her words settle. "I can see you being good at that."

Valery leaned back slightly, her hands folding on the bar. She didn't shy away from the tension that lingered between them — the unspoken truths he held tightly, the burdens she could only guess at. "But I understand that it's not always easy to think about the future when the present demands everything you have." Her tone was even, but her gaze carried a weight of empathy, as if she knew all too well what it meant to live with a singular, consuming purpose.

Her gaze turned back to him, a smile forcing her lips to curve, "When's your next fight? Maybe I'll come watch, if you don't mind."

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

Xochicalcu had to concentrate a little harder to hear Valery's soft low and gentle tone over the cantina's din. When she leaned back and offered to come and watch him fight, he was a little taken aback, though perhaps he should not have been. He'd relaxed in her company more than he had intended. Surprises were what happened when one lowered their guard. Did he want her to come watch? It was not something he'd have requested. The fights could be brutal. Did he want her to see him in that light, as others did?

The Jawa was gesticulating and hollering again, but now the old man's attention wasn't on his manic grievances at the unfairness of the results in the fighting pit. He turned to look her square in the eyes. Honestly, i'm not sure i want you to see it. Why did he even care? He'd known her all of five minutes. Somehow, he did care, despite himself, what this strange and intriguing woman thought of him. Wasn't that a wonder? He was self aware enough to question if it was just a pretty and intelligent girl, but it was more than that. More what, he didn't know.

My next fight will be the deathmatch tournament at the beginning of next week. Six days away. There, he'd at least made it clear what she would be in for and finally tore his gaze away from her again, back toward the fighting ring as his mask hissed once more. Thirty two man deathmatches were rare. They ended with thirty one less fighters, usually. Often one or two did survive a loss, but were almost always done with fighting, and often walking and talking too. It was the most brutal of environments any fighter could walk into. The prize money was suitably astronomical, as were the amounts gambled on the tournament.

He might have six days off work, but the week off would end in pain, blood, and tribulation. He sipped more beer, trying to keep his attention away from Valery. He was beginning to feel like she might actually come to understand him, and that frightented the big strong brawler just a little. That way lay hope. Even for friendship and companionship. To stand together and fight vile scum. He could not, would not dare to hope. He felt set on his path, and he was stuck treading the route he had chosen. Wherever it led.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters

Valery watched him closely, her amber eyes softening further at his initial response. Honestly, I'm not sure I want you to see it. His words carried a weight she recognized — a reluctance born not of shame, but of the burdens he carried. She didn't press him, allowing the moment to settle between them.

When he finally revealed the nature of his next fight, her expression shifted slightly, the gentle warmth giving way to quiet contemplation. A deathmatch tournament was no small thing. Thirty-two fighters entering, and only one emerging victorious — it was a brutal testament to the reality of his world, one where survival demanded more than just skill.

Valery exhaled softly, her gaze unwavering as she leaned forward again, resting her elbows on the bar. "I understand why you'd feel that way," she said gently. "But I don't think less of people for what they have to do to survive or for the choices they make when the stakes are that high."

Her eyes flicked briefly to the ring before returning to him. "You don't owe me an explanation, and you don't have to justify anything. If you'd prefer I stay away, I will." She paused, her tone soft but firm.

"But I have to admit that I'm curious."

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

It was a kind offer, and the big man appreciated Valery making it, but he'd never ask. That was a choice she'd have to make on her own, he'd already said more than he had wished to. He appreciated that she didn't stand in judgement on him for what he did for a living. That was kind, too. He honestly pitied some of the fighters, not everyone who went into deathmatches was truly willing and committed. Some were in debt traps. They could still kill you, especially if you took any of that pity into the fighting ring. I appreciate you saying that.

Again the breath mask emitted a hiss, and Xochicalcu took another sip of his beer, and glanced over at his drinking companion once more. Her amber coloured eyes seemed to have softened even further, if that were possible. It seemed that she understood the seriousness of the tournament. If you've never seen a deathmatch tournament, then you should see one.

There was no thought to impressing her, if he was any judge, the sheer brutal violence of the deathmatches would probably horrify her, which was a reason people should have the experience once. The level of undiluted graphic violence on display was unparalleled. The bravery and courage of the fighters was usually pretty impressive, they tried to show it even if they didn't feel it.

Life wasn't fair, and if you could learn that lesson with no risk to yourself, then that was a small victory. He could not allow himself pity or sympathy for those he fought, but likewise he would not allow himself to take pride in killing others for profit. He didn't delude himself with fantasies about the purity of combat, or anything like that. It was a job. He'd die if he was bad at the job.

Some fighters took in their potential opponents before a fight, trying to watch their previous bouts on holotape, or study their reputations and their styles. Homework, it was called. That wasn't his style. He did not feel there was anything to gain from that kind of preparation. He would prepare himself, and be ready for what came. If an opponent was more skilled or had a particular weapon of choice, knowing ahead of time would not change what he had to face in the ring. Better to see it for yourself from a safe distance. The old man chuckled and smiled. He didn't want to be too depressing.

Xochi gave and brooked no thought to losing. He couldn't afford to, and he was too damned stubborn to die in a fighting pit. Win this tournament, collect this prize, and he would have enough credits to carry on his search for several years wherever he wanted to. Nothing was going to stand in the way of his goal.

Valery Noble
​

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: smuggler Val
Weapons: Blasters


Valery's amber eyes lingered on Xochicalcu as he spoke, a mixture of curiosity and empathy shining through her expression. His words painted a picture of a life forged in hardship, with choices that few could truly understand. When he chuckled, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly, and she let herself smile, the warmth returning to her gaze.

"Then I'll be there," Valery said gently, her voice carrying a quiet resolve. "If it's something I should see, I won't shy away from it." There was no judgment in her tone, only the kind of understanding that came from having walked difficult paths herself. Her choice to attend wasn't born of morbid curiosity but of genuine respect for the life he lived and the battles he fought — both in the ring and beyond it.

As she spoke, Valery reached up and playfully adjusted her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear with an almost effortless grace. Her fingers lingered a moment longer than necessary, a subtle touch that softened her otherwise composed demeanor. The cantina's dim light caught her amber eyes just right, making them shimmer as they settled back on him.

After a pause, she leaned forward slightly, resting her forearms on the bar. "So, what's next for you?" she asked, her tone curious but light. "Tonight, I mean, and the coming days — what are your plans? Resting up for the next fight, or is there something else keeping you busy until then?"

Her head tilted slightly, her interest clearly genuine. Valery wasn't prying, but she wanted to know more about the man behind the mask — not just the fighter but the person who carried himself with such strength and quiet determination.

Xochicalcu ​

 

[Xochicalcu]

Equipment - Breathmask, Blaster
Location - Coruscant underworld fighting pits
Objective - Make Conversation

She really did seem to be genuinely empathic, despite the fact they hardly knew one another, and he was just some grizzled brute drinking beer at a seedy bar. And she'd agreed to come and watch the fight, despite knowing it probably wouldn't be a pleasant viewing, and he respected that sort of fortitude. Kark, I don't know. He chuckled, the smile reaching his green eyes while the chuckle caused the breath mask to hiss.

He hadn't much planned his evening, let alone the rest of his week. With no fights before the tournament, his schedule, as if he had a schedule, was completely free. That wasn't an answer he wanted to give. 'Drink myself to sleep every night.' was not the sort of answer one gave. He could have been honest, but he didn't want to sound like a boring old bastard. Especially around someone younger, better looking, and far more interesting than he was used to.

Nothing too strenuous. He said, still smiling. That was close enough to the truth for him to feel satisfied. It didn't pay to risk any sort of injury before a big fight, and especially so before one where a loss would usually lead to a brutal death. If he were honest with himself drinking all week wasn't the smartest choice either, but the risk didn't frighten him as much as not drinking all week would. Maintaining his sanity was preferable.

And it wasn't as if he had a wife or a girl friend to worry about, or to have worrying about him. Xochicalcu was a man resolved to self reliance and had some good self awareness, yet he was also resolved that he was to live his life alone. At least, he could enjoy this time with a pleasant companion and pleasant conversation. Surprising himself, he was less and less on his guard as time passed. She seemed to have the vibe that she could be trusted, and he was surprised because he did not trust anyone easily. She intrigued him, and it was with some effort that he looked away once more, toward the fighting pits.

Valery Noble
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