Private Gravity wells of life

[Nulgath Zardai]

Location: Lothal, Capital City
Tag: Balun Dashiell

The man stepped off the sleek starship onto the bustling platform of Lothal's starport. He cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the sprawling metropolis, his black synthweave suit perfectly tailored to his tall, lean frame. The sharp lines of his suit were complemented by a narrow black tie, both items radiating an aura of meticulous elegance. His age was evident in the silver streaks that wove through his neatly combed hair and the faint lines etched into his stern face. In one hand, he gripped a cane adorned with a silver snake. Each step he took was deliberate, the cane tapping rhythmically against the ground, a soft yet commanding sound that seemed to echo in the vast space of the starport. His presence was magnetic, drawing the eyes of passersby, though he paid them little mind. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression one of disdainful detachment, as if those around him were mere shadows, insignificant and beneath his notice.

As he approached customs, the officers hastily cleared a path, sensing the air of superiority that surrounded him. He barely acknowledged their existence, handing over his identification with a flick of his wrist, his gaze already shifting beyond them to the sprawling vista of Capital City. The officers hurried through the formalities, returning his documents with a mixture of deference and relief as he moved on without a backward glance. Once past customs, he paused to check the time, pulling a sleek chrono from his pocket. A slight frown creased his brow as he noted the hour. He then accessed a holographic map, his fingers deftly navigating the interface to plot a route to his destination. Satisfied, he summoned a speeder with a curt gesture, the vehicle gliding smoothly to a stop before him. The door slid open, and he stepped inside, settling into the plush seat with an air of expectation.

As the speeder prepared to depart there was another that also hailed the cab. The droid driver looked back for approval to stay. A request that was granted by a simple nod of the mans head. He remained oblivious to the intricate threads of fate weaving around him. His mind was focused solely on his destination, unaware that he was on a collision course with a figure from his past.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

Lothal, Capital City.

This was Balun Vale's first time on Lothal. He had been doing his best to get a broader grasp of life in the Outer Rim Territories. Lothal wasn't too far from the Tingel Arm, and it was also a very well-known world. Balun had read about a particular Jedi who had grown up in Lothal and caused some trouble for the ancient Empire. Being so fond of animals, he had also read about Lothcats native to Lothal, though he figured he wouldn't get the chance to see one any time soon.

The night was young, yet he was busily distracted by the splendour of the Capital City. He had been wandering for quite a while now, ever since he had left the spaceport where his ship was docked. He had spent the entire day walking around and checking out the market districts, the business centre of the massive city where visitors and locals could shop to their heart's content. Balun hadn't bought anything aside from an early lunch, but he had enjoyed the aimless time spent on his own, people-watching and exploring another new city free of obligations.

Raising a hand and shouting out to one of the air taxis still parked on street level, he quickly hurried over with a smile to the driver before opening the back door and casually falling onto his seat without even thinking of checking to see who was in the vehicle. "Hey, mind heading back to the spaceport ma-..." His words faded immediately as he had turned to realize he wasn't alone in the back of the cab; "Oh chit, my bad man. I'll grab another ride" he said to Nulgath Zardai, raising an apologetic hand and opening the door once more, intent on getting out so not to interrupt the guys ride.

 

[Nulgath Zardai]

Raising a hand and shouting out to one of the air taxis still parked on street level, he quickly hurried over with a smile to the driver before opening the back door and casually falling onto his seat without even thinking of checking to see who was in the vehicle. "Hey, mind heading back to the spaceport ma-..." His words faded immediately as he had turned to realize he wasn't alone in the back of the cab; "Oh chit, my bad man. I'll grab another ride" he said to [IMG alt="Nulgath Zardai"]https://www.starwarsrp.net/data/avatars/s/44/44419.jpg?1720254214[/IMG] Nulgath Zardai , raising an apologetic hand and opening the door once more, intent on getting out so not to interrupt the guys ride.

There was a electric feeling in the air and one Nulgath could tangibly feel on his skin. Though this sensation was lost to him as he pondered what exactly it could be. The familiarity was twisting in the recesses of his minds eye. I have sensed and felt this before. Its been too long, could it be- His thought was interrupted and his senses intensified when a young man entered the speeder and quickly excused himself. He was preparing to leave.

And for the first time in eighty years, Nulgath felt the blanket of ages fall over him as his dark brown eyes fell on the passing features of his own blood. The Epicanthix was not a easy man to startle nor surprise and yet both had occurred in the same instance. " What...wait...." For some time he paused and then in a realization that the moment may be awkward he shook his head and let the usual visage of a cold business man restructure his facial expression.

" You may stay. I insist, It is the most you can do for already delaying me." Nulgath stated and looked out his nearest window. As if to act unphased. It was far from the truth. In the reflection of the glass, he watched humanity return to his eyes and gnawed on his lip. A nervous warmth filled his being. A gut feeling that over powered his true affliction.

" What do they call you?" He asked still looking away. It was a answer he already knew the answer to but still he asked.

Balun.

Tag: Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

" You may stay. I insist, It is the most you can do for already delaying me."

Balun was halfway out the door when he heard Nulgath Zardai's response. He had intruded on the man's time, but for some reason, he preferred Balun to join him rather than leave. "Oh...-Kay", Balun uttered apprehensively, falling back into the passenger seat, eyeing the older male a little out of scepticism.

Nulgath would ask his name, and he would receive the answer he was expecting: "Balun..." The lad paused a moment. "Vale," he added his surname, a name that the New Jedi Order had provided him. "I'm new to Lothal, first time visiting", he added, soon turning the conversation back to his present company; "What about you?" he asked casually—the youthful demeanour of his words, a casual voice masking an otherwise very guarded mind.

Leaning forward to look ahead to their driver, Balun asked to be taken to the Spaceport: "Can you get me back to the Port, thanks?" He didn't have a place to stay and was too short on credits to pay for an Inn. The next best thing was crashing in the crew quarters of the Liberty's Edge. Leaning back into his seat shortly thereafter, he glanced back to the other passenger, trying to gauge the man's presence and yet finding little in return. First impressions however didn't exactly scream reliable or trustworthy.

 

[Nulgath Zardai]

Nulgath would ask his name, and he would receive the answer he was expecting: "Balun..." The lad paused a moment. "Vale," he added his surname, a name that the New Jedi Order had provided him. "I'm new to Lothal, first time visiting", he added, soon turning the conversation back to his present company; "What about you?" he asked casually—the youthful demeanor of his words, a casual voice masking an otherwise very guarded mind.

Bale. It was what I used to call him. A long time ago. A time that he would never remember.

Then the surname was said.

Vale? Of all the names to give a child.

" It's almost ironic." A sparse smile appeared over Nulgaths lips as he muttered to himself. Taking a deep breath and straightening his outer coat and brushing off some dust, He answered back. " Well met, Bal..un. Balun Vale." He had to pause to stop himself from saying the word. Bale. " Nulgath Zardai, I hope you find your stay on Lothal...pleasant." He seemed to consider his last word carefully. It was clear that the man was on a business trip and did not like seem to have a high opinion of the planet. " I am a historian and collector of sorts. Alien cultures and traditions I find great interest in. Religions as well." He glanced at Balun Dashiell and his attire briefly. " Though today is a minor visit to the local museum. It seems my eye is needed there." He shook his head some.

" Tell me, What brings you to this planet?" He asked but was staring straight ahead. His eyes appearing to see into the vastness of space itself. Whatever he saw. It was his alone.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

" I am a historian and collector of sorts. Alien cultures and traditions I find great interest in. Religions as well." He glanced at Balun Vale and his attire briefly. " Though today is a minor visit to the local museum. It seems my eye is needed there."

Balun gazed out the window as their airspeeder began to take flight. The older man beside him was speaking of his business, an art collector or historian. Truthfully, the younger man hadn't taken much interest in historical or cultural oddities unless they were related to the Force in some way—things such as old Jedi or Sith Holocron, not that he had ever touched one. It was simply the easiest thing that he could imagine finding of interest.

"What sort of things do you specialise in?" Balun asked out of curiosity, wondering what this particular man was called upon for. He understood that without people like this guy, there'd be much less information in the archives stored over the years. Even so, he couldn't think of anything more boring to dedicate his time to. "How'd you get into doing that sort of thing? Was it something you were always keen on?" Balun added thoughtfully. Perhaps it interested older people, who found it more fascinating.

"I came to Lothal to check it out; it's well-known to the New Jedi Order. I'm not with them, but I spend most of my time in the Outer Rim these days, and I wanted to check it out for myself." he explained; "No real purpose here other than being curious", he shrugged, glancing back to Nulgath Zardai briefly, still not entirely sure what to make of the guy. They were two strangers in passing; it wasn't the most comfortable way to meet someone, but thankfully, as far as Balun knew, their run-in would be fleeting, and they'd both soon be on their separate ways.

"Have you heard of the Tingel Arm Coalition, by any chance?" he asked, curious how far their name had spread since its founding.