First Order; Second Chance

[Connor Harrison]

Connor watched Ara go, and walked to the bar in the corner, a small and humble little outlet for a drink or two whilst waiting for a loved one, business associate or speeder. Fastening his sleeve back up, the ex-Jedi asked for a glass of Blue Milk. You can take the man out of Voss...

Resting on the bar, the Gran served his blue drink from the small fridge behind him, stocked with soft drinks and fruit juices. He cupped the glass and savoured the drink - cold and fresh as it should be.

Glancing around, keeping himself to himself, Connor noted the First Order decor on the walls. Not in your face, but it was there, out of pride. There was a couple sat in the comfy chairs talking about something or other, and outside passers by did what did, the odd white armoured law-keeper strolling by.

He took another mouthful, and people watched.

Ara's voice broke the silence, and he turned to see her; a million miles from what she had looked like before and with a bright smile to compliment her bright appearance. Connor necked the last of the drink, and he stood to meet her head on, taking her hand with a deft bow.

"Very nice,” he said.

Guiding her hand forward as if handling a delicate jewel, Connor fell in line beside her and brushed his crimson cloak back, fully aware the female in his company was garnering a few glances here and there as they went deeper into the building.

"So what's this? The look of a First Order Disciple these days? I take it your dressed for comfort.”

The pair headed into the lounge, where the main bar was located on the left wall. A number of game hubs were along the back, with a stage to the right and tables throughout, dotted with stools and chairs.

"You get the table, I'll get the drinks,” he said, placing his hand gently on the bare skin of her back to guide her one way while he went for the other.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Smiling as his hand brushed against her back, allowed him to steer her towards the tables. A quick glance around the room showed many tables filled with gamblers, most of the human persuasion, with the occasional Mirialan or Twi'lek in attendance. It was to be expected, the First Order valued the human race above all and so 98% of Dosuun was such.

She smiled and batted her eyelashes, aware of just how many of the men in the room, and even one or two women, watched her pass. She made a beeline for a table towards the back, populated by mostly young men around her age who'd had one too many alcoholic beverages. Sliding up to the table, she stood back as they finished a hand in a chorus of groans and curses, the winner exuberantly lording his winning hand over the others.

She smiled at the sandy-haired soldier sitting on the far side of the table. They seemed to be mix of soldier and civilians, out for a good time in town. She could tell the soldiers apart by their posture and the way they sat up straighter when she approached.

"Oh no....please keep playing." She motioned to the table as one of the men started to get up and offer their seat to her. "If you don't mind, I'd just enjoy watching. I've never understood the rules well enough to try on my own, but maybe I can bring one of you handsome men some luck. Besides, I hardly have any credits on me."

Just as she'd done hundreds of times before, the group jumped all over themselves, offering to teach her the game and stumbling over each other to explain the cards, the suits, and the special hands. She smiled and nodded as they offered her a seat, a small pile of credits, and continued explaining each hand. In short order she had her own hand and her own personal guide to the game. She smiled coyly at her cards, playing them as her guide, Bryand something-or-other, pointed to each in turn.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor was the odd one out here, and he knew it. For many months – even years – people had tried to coax Connor out of his comfort zone of being a recluse and invest in spending time venturing into the social side of the Silver way. But he hadn’t taken to it. Coci had tried, Chastity had tried and Joza had certainly tried to no avail.

Bound by a stubborn desire to not get involved but also keeping a clear head in the service of the Light, Connor had missed out on another side to life.

Here, it seemed, in First Order territory he was getting a new taste of it.

Two brandies in hand, the alcohol blasting away through his sinuses on first sip. It had been a long, long time since he’d allowed himself to have a drink.

He stuck to Ara close – as close as he could – as he came to find her table, and noted the influx of attention she garnered on approach. Connor watched with an amused expression on his face at how easy the red-blooded men parted for her and vied for her attention like a pack of kath hounds.

It seemed Sabaac was their choice of game, noting a few cards like the Coins and Flasks suits, with a pot in the middle – the Sabacc Pot. Of course, with many variants and never having played the game personally, who knew what their choice was.

He came beside her and slipped the brandy by her hand, not making a fuss of it in order to not rile anyone wanting her attention. He wasn’t in a position to be someone over another to her. Connor stayed a little behind for there was a bet on, and Ara was working her feminine ways to ensure she made a good shot at getting it. He perused the table from left to right, taking in the players and their body expressions and their interest in Ara. One thing was for sure, any trouble and he would be there to step in.

Holding the glass, standing side on to the table, Connor watched, eyes drawn to her more than the others at times. But, always watching.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Taking a sip from the glass, she offered a small salute and knowing smile to the man trying to stay out of everyone's way. The space between her eyebrows crinkled in amusement as she watched him.

"How long do I have?"

A few of the young men turned to look at Connor with suspicious expressions. Setting her hand on the bare skin just above her neighbor's wrist, she leaned forward drawing their attention back to her. Making an exasperated face, she whispered, "Overprotective." She kept her hand where it was on the man's arm and stroked his pulse lightly with a finger tip.

"What about this...shifting phase?" She frowned at her cards and the table, resulting in a another flurry of explanations and demonstrations. She nodded along, smiling, making eye contact with each man in turn.

As they moved on to the next hand, she placed the proper ante in the pot, rewarded by a shower of praise. Laughing and shaking her head, she risked another glance back at Connor, smiling mischievously.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tipsy tourists or off-duty soldiers didn’t bother him.

Or, rather, they didn’t when he could twist their minds in a heartbeat or distract them all with a flick of the wrist.

Now, he may be a little more vulnerable.

Still, he didn’t respond to anyone. He just held his drink and watched the game. A few looks here, a few touches there and some excited shouts and encouragement. He took a sip, sucking it back through his teeth.

When Ara smiled back at him, Connor gave her a warning look to focus on the job in hand – literally. She was playing a dangerous game using her feminine charms, and the well-groomed man in the crimson cloak and charcoal grey tunic who accompanied her was going to be a problem should anyone want to take this brunette beauty home.

Another cheer, another sip of drink.

He clocked a man opposite giving her the eye, someone next to him whispering in his ear. The player threw in a card. Connor leaned into Ara’s ear, forgoing her scent to simply say….

"Hurry up. Straight ahead. Watch it.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She laughed aloud as her frowned at her, her grin only growing bigger.

She played a card, choosing to shift two of her cards and smiling at the result.

She ignored the looks she was garnering, focused on the men closest to her and her hand. Another glance at Connor had her shaking her head in mirth. He seemed completely out of his element. She stifled a chuckle and returned her attention to the game, playing another card but keeping the rest during the drawing phase.

As he whispered in her ear, she resist the urge to lean back against him. It wouldn't help her case with the men at her table. Instead, she glanced sharply at the men directly across from her. She met their intense gaze with a coy smile and played her last card.

Turning just enough to whisper back, "Worried I can't handle myself?"

Her face was exasperated for the benefit of those at the table, but her tone was laughing. It had been too long since anyone had been protective of her and is was amusing to say the least. Finishing her brandy in a long sip, she sat back, waiting for the winner to be declared.

As the hand finished, she whistled as the gentleman across from her revealed one card short of an idiot's array. The entire table groaned and cheered equally. Ara smiled silkily and winked at Connor as she revealed her hand. 23, a Pure Sabacc. She smiled broadly, feigning surprise and delight, complimenting the men for their skills and blaming beginner's luck for such a good hand.

She stood, brushing a hand across the shoulders of the man sitting next to her to deter any hard feelings from the winning hand. She left the money on the table, turning to a nearby game room attendant.

"Please apply my winnings to my room bill."

She raised an eyebrow at her companion as they totaled the pot.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

The glass had come up to Connor’s mouth for another sip of the warm alcohol, but it never made it. The game was getting more and more tense as the spirits were getting more and more excited, and Ara was enjoying it too much.

Again, this was all alien to Connor, but he wasn’t going to miss this. This was far better than teaching mindless Padawan’s who tried to suck up all the time.

The smell of the brandy wafted around his nostrils, but he was just frozen, watching the final turns and bets.

Cards went down, and Ara pulled a straight Sabacc. She did it.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Connor finally necked the drink and placed it on an empty table behind him. As she got up, readying her winnings to be counted up and made ready, he shook his head

"Nobody likes a show off, darling.”

He liked the show off, and he took her arm in a playful grip to lead her away before she gambled too m-

”CHEAT.”

Connor stopped and closed his eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh.

”Straight Sabacc, yeah right. She cheated, and he’s on…on it!”

The slight break in the accusation was most likely a drunken hic, and Connor knew it before he turned to see the very man Ara had been warmly touching up.

"Oh, well done,” he hissed as he faced her for a second before turning to the man. He held his hand out. "I assure you, I don’t even know how to play. The lady, however, does, and won fair and square off her own back. Please. No need for trouble.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The smug smile she offered him turned into a sigh as the her friend from the table began yelling about a cheat. She sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically at Connor, her back to the table.

"Everyone is a sore loser."

As the ex-Jedi attempted to defend her she glared at him and hit him square in the chest with an open palm. "Way to go idiot, ruin my chance at conning them again later." She hissed, angry that he'd blown her cover.

Biting her lower lip in thought, she moved behind him, peering over his shoulder at the drunken man. The movement, and Connor's body, hid the lightsaber hilt that was now in her hand. The cool metal surface was a comfort, as she ran a finger over the ridges and rings.

She could threaten them into submission easily. After all, she'd hardly be the one to get arrested if their encounter went south. Her eyes darted to the two guards stationed at the front of the room, already on alert thanks to the raised voices coming from their table.

Turning her attention to her drunken sabacc partner she flashed him an embarrassed smile and a faked a worried glance at Connor from behind his back.

"I'm so sorry, sir, I was just trying to pay my debts. I didn't want to lie, but he thought..." She glanced at Connor and shook her head, resisting the urge to burst into laughter. She wanted to see how the ex-Jedi handled himself. And if things got too bad, she had her saber.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor instantly put his arm out as he felt Ara behind to protect her, focusing on the wounded pride of the losing gambler and missing her stirring up of the situation.

"First Order troops are right at the door. I don’t want trouble, nor do they. I’ll get some drinks brought over, on me, and avoid us all spending a few days in their custody, alright?”

That seemed to work, sort of.

He turned his head to Ara, keeping an eye on the man.

"Let’s just get - ”

A hand grabbed his upper arm and lifted it from Ara, to which Connor span to find her game partner, squaring off with a tight grip.

”Tryin’ t’ use the girl as leverage? Schutta – get the hell out of here you over-dressed idiot.”

Connor glanced back at Ara, not knowing if he wanted to smile at her and slap her. Maybe this was it. Again, the idiocy of letting someone even closer will get him into trouble. Probably going to break with the winnings and do one.

It made sense! Spot him looking like he was a mile off, befriend him, spout some fabricated street-rat lies, get him in a corner, get some money, and go.

Brilliant. How he wished he could crush the man’s windpipe – but the armoured Stormtroopers would have him floored in an instant with their blasters.

"Let go of my arm. ”

It wasn’t a request.

The man let go. He then pushed him square in the chest.

”Make me.”

Connor rolled his eyes.

"You just did, you bloated nerf-herder.”

With that, Connor brought his now clenched right fist up into the man’s nose. The crack of bone and blood spurt signalled a perfect hit, along with the crumpling of his knees and cry of pain. Connor’s hand moved to the empty glass behind him and smashed it over the drunken man’s head.

No time to wait – he grabbed Ara’s arm and dragged her to run out.

"Come on! Look hysterical – tell those guards a man has tried to assault you!”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara couldn't stop herself from leaning her head between his shoulder blades and using the taller man to hide her fit of giggles. She probably shouldn't find the situation as funny as she did, but there it was. When the drunken man grabbed Connor's arm, her grip on the saber hilt tightening.

As he turned back to her, she raised an eyebrow and smiled, watching the warring emotions cross his face. She was fairly certain anyone would be ready to slap her at this point.

The moment the shit hit the fan, she rolled her eyes and sighed, shrugging at the other men watching. What could a girl do? She watched in appreciation as the man went did with a solid hit to nose followed by a glass to the head. She glanced from the downed man to Connor with a raised eyebrow and appreciative smile.

"Nice aim." Sensing he hardly needed her help, she returned her saber to it's hiding place.

She allowed him to grab her arm and lead her out, glancing back at the men in mock panic and letting the tears of laughter bubble up. A hand covered her mouth, turning the laughing noises into muffled sobs as they past the guards. "That man...tried to...assault...." Her giggles cut off the words, but it was enough. The guards bought the excuse, stepping between the retreating pair and the men poised to follow in anger.

She let him drag her out of the building and into the street, her laughter starting to die down.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor feigned a look of worry and panic as he tried to hobble out with the girl in his grip, escaping the hotel lobby and past the troops and the nasty men inside who -

They were out. His face dropped back to normal.

He didn’t let go of her arm as he dragged her along the sidewalk and across the street, waiting for a speeder to pass, out of the way of the hotel entrance should the intoxicated and bloodied thugs come out with Stormtroopers in tow. Hopefully they would be used to dealing with the effects of alcohol and gambling for it to die down.

He could imagine a swift hit with the butt of an E-11 would silence any doubters; the First Order weren’t police dealing with inebriated drunks. They were soldiers and peace-keepers.

And so Connor let her go and started at her. He shook his head, waiting for an answer to a question he didn’t know to ask.

"What the hell was that? I see a big line between the Padawans of the Light and the Disciples of the Dark. Or maybe I’m just out of practice.”

With a glance behind, he took her arm and led her on again away from the hotel and into the edge of the park across the way, using the metallic archway as cover as the monorail ran ahead.

"So? Did you get the 500? I was too busy saving your backside to count.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The girl yanked her arm from his grip, straightening her clothes and hair, disheveled from their quick escape. After she was satisfied that she was presentable again, she looked at him, all mirth gone from her face.

"That was called having a bit of fun. And seeing how well an ex-Jedi could handle it on his own. Was I mistaken? Could a few drunk civilians have bested you?"

She raised an eyebrow in challenge. She walked a few steps away from him, pissed that now she'd have to find a new hotel, or stay in the transport.

"I hardly stopped to count. Do you want to call it a draw or is your pride too hurt to admit that you enjoyed that?"

She paused and turned, the anger in her eyes still hot and fierce.

"Or maybe you forgot that I'm not just some pretty face. I can handle myself as well as you can, maybe even better, and was prepared to do so. Do the padawans where you are from bow and scrape to everyone they meet? Are they too stuck up to have a little fun? Or maybe they just depend on you to save them every time it gets a little too hot for them to handle."

She stepped up to him, not flirting this time, but challenging.

"I bow and scrape to no one. Earn my respect, Mr. Harrison. Until then, get used to it."

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Here she was – the real little animal behind the cute smile and wavy hair.

Connor looked at her as she stormed up and down, making her position clear. And to some extent she was right; the Padawans rarely ventured out like this, certainly not partaking in anti-social escapades when one went for a quiet drink.

But then Voss was positively backwards compared to Dosuun, or Avalonia in general. And this ex-Jedi wasn’t on Voss anymore and he was pleased he wans’t. He felt more alive than he had in months.

"Calm down.”

As she squared up to him, he scoffed and side-stepped her.

"Earn your respect? So far you’ve given me a dank meal, fabricated lies about your place in the First Order and nearly got my head caved in. You want my respect? Then give me something respect at all or I’m out of her, got it?”

What a lovely day it was in Avalonia.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

"You want something to respect, fine. Catch."

She quickly pulled one of the two saber hilts she carried out and tossed it to Connor. She was risking a lot, handing a weapon to someone she barely knew. She had to trust that his force signature was truly as weak as she believed. If he was lying, then she was well and truly screwed. She could only hope that his resorting to smash someone over the head with a glass meant his access to the Force was as poor as he let on.

"Or you can turn and walk away and your questions can go unanswered."

From a pocket, she produced the chip he'd given her earlier, holding it up between two fingers. It was simple, if the Ren were interested in him, they'd find him regardless. But if he walked away, she'd destroy the chip, report to her Master, and wash her hands of the entire encounter.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor was ready for anything, but not the hilt. He caught it none the less, but didn't look at it.

Then, the chip he gave her.

"Good balance to that hilt.”

He nodded, twirled the hilt in his palm and handed it back.

"I'm sensing a lot of pent-up frustration in you.”

He scratched his brow and closed her hand on the chip to keep it safe.

"Getting a little tense are you, or do you really need to spar.”

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

She frowned at him and pocketed the chip again. She was used to training with her Master on a daily basis, and the lack of practice for the last few days could have something to do with her urge to pick a fight.

Or maybe that was her way naturally. Flirting, fighting...they were both an adrenaline rush that she craved. She took the hilt from him and let an angry sigh escape.

"You are infuriating, you know that?"

She shook her head, unable to keep the corner of her mouth from creeping up into a smile as she put the weapon away. The next time she had to take one out, she was using it, consequences or not. All this bluffing was pissing her off.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

With a content sigh, Connor nodded, looking out at the park.

"Yeah, I know.”

Then he looked at her.

"But so are you.”

And then, he looked back at the hotel, chewing the inside of his mouth, mulling over a few ideas.

"Want to go and spar now? Seeing as you won the bet? Or...did you lose? Have you got the 500? If not, then you tell me about the Ren...remember?”

He turned to Ara and folded his arms, lowering his head and looking at her expectantly.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

Ara met him look for look, ignoring his comment about her being infuriating. She was just the cause of a bar brawl after all, minor though it was. She had no doubt that her antics would infuriate even the most patient of people.

She glanced back at the hotel, frowning.

"I guess we'll never be sure who won the bet, considering I won't be able to show my face there for a while."

She'd have to send someone to collect the rest of her things. It would be tedious, but she'd deal with it. She turned back to the man.

"Would you like to make a new bet?" She held up a hand to stop the inevitable arguments he'd make considering how their last one had turned out. "This one, we both get what we want. We spar. For every hit you score, I will answer one of your questions to the best of my ability."

She was playing with fire, but itching to test her skills on someone she didn't know. It was her first chance to truly test herself and she needed it.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

That sounded more his game.

"You're on.”

Turning and standing by her side, he started to walk out of the park, looking around, left to right.

"Do you have a place to go? A centre or complex out of the way? Forgive me but I have no idea where we are in relation to anything bar the med centre.”

As he walked, he leaned in a little.

"You do remember I'm not exactly at my most..useful? I wasn't joking about the Force issue,” he said. "I am sorry in advance if I disappoint. Still, I'll do my best.”

This would be more beneficial in all sorts of ways - confidence, ability, resolve, strength. And just a hint of attraction.

[member="Ara Ren"]

 

[Ara Zambrano]

The Disciple grinned at him, teeth showing in a wolfish smile.

"I'll go easy on you. Maybe."

The truth was that she needed the workout, and she rarely made bets she didn't intend to win. If she felt like he'd be at a disadvantage over her...well, that was a hurdle he'd have to learn to overcome. She highly doubted any of the Knights would let him use the excuse and neither would she. He'd have to work hard to score a hit, his determination would be a key factor in the battle.

Since she highly doubted her companion would be interested in a public sparring match, she steered them towards the space port, knowing that the military garrison would be willing to rent her a sparring room.

"There is a garrison not far from the spaceport if you don't mind using one of their rooms."

She'd just have to hope that the identichip given to her for access to the capitol complex would also buy them access to a training space. She kept a steady pace, letting a comfortable silence fall as she focused on the street names and directions. In short order they were at the garrison and with a quick flash of the chip, a room secured for their use.

She grinned at Connor and released the clasp on her cloak, setting it in a neat pile in one corner. The room was simple, multiple rings circling out from the floor in different diameters meant for different training exercises. A simple droid unit sat in an alcove, ready should someone need target practice.

"Rules of engagement?"

She set the handle of the saber down near him and moved to one side of the room with her own, pausing for a moment to stretch.

[member="Connor Harrison"]