Home Sweet Home...or Something Close

[Avery Rose Garter]

Another bar on another planet…well, not this time, not really. This wasn’t something like Tatooine or Nar Shaddaa, or a trip just to loosen up on another lawless world. No, this was Iridonia, planet of the Zabrak species. And for Kadrak, along with many of the others in the bar, it was home. A place she hadn’t been to in a long while, or at least a few years.
Oddly enough Zatten had deigned not to come along with her, but if he wished to be left to his own devices, that was that. Chances were he’d show up sometime later in the night anyhow, ready to raise hell and start a fight or two, as was customary.
But for the time being she had time to brush up on her Zabraki and make connections with her people that she hadn’t had the chance to since childhood. Thus far it was proving to be quite an informational visit, though thankfully not too much had changed since she’d been there last. Iridonia was still a mostly neutral site in the many wars between both the major and minor factions of the galaxy, despite being in Republic space, and that was something she was grateful for.
Her reminiscing was interrupted as the bartender approached, with an obvious unspoken question. “A whiskey with wroshyr sap, if you would.” The sap had been something Zatten had introduced her to, back when they had first met. It added something.
Now with her drink ordered, all there was left to do was wait. And if past experience was any indicator, she wouldn’t be alone for long.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Iridonia, the planet of the Zabraki. Cryax Bane had been here before when he was younger, during a stint with The Collectors, a Mid Rim scavenging company with whom he was employeed. If you could call it that. More like indentured servitude if you asked him. He hadn't spent enough time on the planet to even see the sights, spending most of his planetside time with his nose in the scrap heap the crew was salvaging.

He was here today on Iridonia for a much more mysterious reason. A business having to do with a serum being made from his genetic material by a Sith alchemist. He was set to pick up the serum here, although he didn't quite get the details as to why. It didn't matter. He had gotten what he had wanted from a crotchety old Zabraki black market trader friend of Daxton Bane's.

It was a shame to waste a round trip shuttle fare on a ten minute visit with a crazy Zabrak, so while he was in the city, he reasoned that he should at least try and see something of the planet even if it was the inside of a bar. And since he didn't know what the Iridonian hotspots were, he just picked one at random.

Thick smoke from cigarellas and the sounds of excited Zabraki chatter filled the air as he crossed the bar. The young Chiss was struck by the sight of a familiar face. A woman that he knew from somewhere. The combat trainer, Kadrak. Zatten Black's girlfriend. Or lover. Or...Zatten hadn't exactly been clear about what their relationship was.

He was becoming much more comfortable in his own skin during his time with the Ravens. Where the old Cryax would have frozen or have been apprehensive about approaching, the new one took a seat next to her at the bar. He was never going to be as smooth as the Zatten Blacks of the world, but he at least he wasn't a flustered idiot. He smiled at Kadrak.

"It's really funny, because I was just talking to your boyfriend a couple of days ago. And here you are. Speak of the devil as they say."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

Despite her lack of Force sensitivity Kadrak felt, for lack of a better word, as the man sat next to her, returning his friendly smile as she recognized him near instantly. Cryax, the one she'd helped, or at the very least tried to, shoot a blaster. And from the looks of him now, he'd progressed much from that day, in terms of his skills as a conversationalist. It was a pleasant surprise. "Whatever he said about me wasn't true. Probably. Unless it was in regards to what fights we may have gotten into and any shooting that may have been done on my part, in which case it's true." She turned to face him with another smile as her drink was placed in front of her, sliding a credit chip across the counter to the bartender.
One part of her was curious as to what business he had on Iridonia, as it sat fairly neutrally in the galaxy. But that could be just another plus for any and all criminals of the galaxy, and if her past knowledge of the crowd he ran with were any indicator, he was most likely here on a less than legal operation. Not that it concerned her any. She'd participated in a few less than legal activities in her life, and witnessed many more. Playing accomplice didn't concern her.
"What brings you to the wonderful world of Iridonia, homeworld of the Zabrak? I have to assume it's not business of leisure." As she spoke she took her drink in hand and took a sip, studying the blue-skinned man in front of her for a long moment.
Now that she thought about it she wasn't exactly sure just who it was he worked for, or if the Chiss was affiliated with anyone at all. She would have pinned him as anything but one of the criminal underworld when she first met him, but looking at him now, there was something more to behold, that much was evident.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

The bartender brought Kadrak another drink, a strong-looking whiskey. Cryax himself ordered a Corellian Ale and it's cold, bitter taste was refreshing.

He wasn't sure how to answer the pretty horned woman's question about his business on Iridonia. The serum in its tiny vial was burning a hole in his trenchcoat pocket, but he had been explicitly instructed by the powerful Sith not to reveal that he had it. As much as he hated to, he figured he'd just have to be vague.

He smiled, "It's business I'm afraid." He quickly changed the subject away from his purpose here. "You know, I'd love to see more of the planet someday. I'm sure it's got some beautiful sights." He scanned his red eyes around the bar, wondering if Zatten Black was in the bathroom or something.

"I'm assuming you're here with Zatten, right?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

To say she was surprised about his vagueness would be a lie. Most likely his employer had mandated that no one know specifically what business was on. That only made the entirety of it more intriguing, but she knew when to respect another's boundaries and move on with the conversation. "We don't have much in regards to what you'd consider typical for anybody's ideal vacation spot, really. There are canyons, some acid seas here and there, and a few rainforests if you're lucky enough to happen upon them. But you're in the wrong part of the planet if you're looking for any of the natural sights. Though the cities do have a few spectacles of their own, I'll grant you."
As he inquired after Zatten a small smile found her lips. "He's not around this time, but he is on the planet. I'm just as surprised as you that he decided not to come, but to each their own. I'm sure he'll make his presence known later, if I know him at all. He does like to make an entrance."
Kadrak shrugged, leaning back slightly in her chair. "I suppose I should answer my own question. I, that is, we, are here just for the sightseeing, really. For once we don't have much else to concern ourselves with."
She took another pull of her drink, the sweetness of the sap making it much easier to down. "How's the combat training coming along, then? I have to assume decently, from the way you're carrying yourself. You must have found another trainer, I'd guess. Are you a blade or a blaster kind of guy?"

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

The Chiss took a swig of his ale and laughed, "I'm not dead yet, you mean."

He blushed, his cheeks turning purple, thinking of how terrible he was when he sparred with the fox guy. The beautiful Zabrak must have thought him a fool. "I did end up finding another trainer, actually. A Mandolorian." He grinned widely thinking about her. Technically she was a Mandolorian witch, but he didn't think the last part was relevant.

"I can't say I'm that much better than when you and I first met on Nar Shaddaa, but she's shown me a thing or two. And as for the "blaster or blades" question. I'm still too inexperienced to know. A blaster suits me better in my line of work, I'll say that."

"What about you, Kadrak? What's your weapon of choice? And what line of work are you in that you need to stay so armed and dangerous?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

A smile quirked the corner of her mouth at his last question. "Nothing quite so dangerous as what you're involved in, I can assure you that. I'm more of a freelance mechanic, but I have ended up affiliated with a few minor groups in the galaxy. As for my weapon of choice...that can depend entirely on the day sometimes, but for the most part it's always my blaster pistol. Blades are nice for when you need or want things to be a bit more discreet, but I've never really gotten around to acquiring one of my own. Wait, no, that's a lie. I was on Nar Shaddaa a time or two ago, and picked up a vibroblade from one of my 'friends' there. But other than that..." Her hand dropped to the blaster holstered at her side. "I prefer my guns. Modified or no, it's much more fun to shoot things than stab them, I've found."
Kadrak thought back to their first meeting and his sparring, and a small grin found her lips, though it wasn't at the way he'd fought. "Y'know, if Zatt ever does decide to show his face, we might have cause to see just what this new teacher of yours has shown you. Force knows he manages to get in plenty of trouble on his own. It's only more fun when he has someone else along for the ride. But all of that depends on whether he's been drinking yet."
She studied the other patrons at the bar for a moment, noting nothing out of the ordinary for the time being, at least. "A Mandalorian, hm? You must be quite the fighter, then. They are a warrior culture, after all, from what I've observed. I'll bet you've improved more than you'll let on."

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"You're a mechanic, too?" They had more in common that he thought. He chuckled. "That's all I used to do when I was a kid back on Bakura. Repair droids and mess around with computers."

He shook his head with a slightly crooked grin. " I'm really not much of a fighter. The main reason I've been training is because I need to be able to defend myself." He stopped and rifled through his trenchcoat pocket, retrieving his Datapad. He gestured to it. "This is my weapon of choice. I'm a slicer."

She didn't seem like a choir girl herself, so he felt like he was probably ok telling her.

"In a firefight, you and Zatten would be better off using me as meatshield." He chuckled. It would be funnier if it weren't true.

"What groups have you been doing work for, Kadrak?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Zatten Black]

Iridonia. This place was awesome. Canyons, bars, and mechanics everywhere. On this particular occasion, I'd let Kadrak run off ahead of me while I tried to sleep off a hangover. Usually, I didn't get hangovers, but I'd mixed way too many frms of alcohol, and I had nearly passed out. I just needed a coffee, and Kadrak, and I'd be good and awake. For midday, the streets weren't very crowded, and I was the only one weaving through the street.

Of course, I just had to crash into the only big guy in the street. The man grinned evily at me, and pushed me back. I raised a weary eyebrow, and stood back from him, shaking my head and trying to call on the Force to clear my head. My vision unfogged as my eyes turned totally red, and my teeth seemed to grow sharper. He was a full foot taller than me, with horns the size of my nose ringing his head. And he was in some kind of uniform. Damn cops.

The man winked at me, unfazed, and picked me up. I gaped at him incredulously, and he grinned even wider. That was when I realized that there was a window behind me. And a bar. I had seriously been stopped twenty feet from my destination. Wonderful. the man swung me in his arms... Once, twice, and a third time.

On the fourth swing, I went flying through the window, slamming into a wooden structure that felt like a barfront. A vaguely familiar orange shape, and a slightly less familiar blue one coalesced into humanoids. And then I realized who they were.

I looked up at Kadrak, and grinned weakly.

"Hi there, darling."

My eyes rolled, and found their way to Cryax, my mouth still stuck in a grin. I was genuinely happy to see him, but I didn't image it would be in this situation.

"Help me up, you blue bastard."

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

There was a crash, and Kadrak looked up just in time to see a man flung through the window. Well, that wasn't anything too unusual, even for the time of day, considering they were at a bar. Then she got a good look at him, and her surprise faded into nothing as a grin found her lips. "Fancy meeting you here, love. Quite a method of entrance you decided on. Were there no terraces to suffice this time?" She hopped down off of the bar stool to offer him a hand to pull himself up, glancing briefly to the man responsible who had just finished a not so kind statement in Zabraki. With a shake of her head she muttered an insult under her breath in the same tongue, not keen on starting any sort of engagement this early in the day.
She glanced to Cryax for a moment. "To continue our conversation, I run with the Nova Outbound Fleet, The Shadow Empire and the Nova-Valhalla federation, which is really just a group comprised of the Novas and another group whose name I can't quite recall for both of our benefits. None are very concerned with the political side of things, which I'm thankful for. How about you?"
With a smile she looked to Zatten. "Well, if you're here I have to assume that hangover of yours is feeling better. Or you couldn't bear another moment away from me so you decided to come say hello. Pardon me if I like to assume it was the latter, but you know how I can be..." She winked and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "How are you feeling though, really?"

[member="Zatten Black"], [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

It wasn't everyday you saw a large pink-skinned man come flying through synthglass with the sound of a freighter crash landing. It had just about given him a heart attack.

He watched Kadrak help hoist him up, not missing a conversational beat. Like this was an everyday occurance. They must have had some relationship. Dinner, drinks, a movie and then maybe they'd smash up some hotel rooms for a nightcap. He smiled shaking his head.

He looked at [member="Zatten Black"] with concern. "Seriously man, are you ok?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I grinned at the two of them, dusting myself off. Then I grabbed Kadrak and kissed her, before nodding at Cryax.

"Don't worry. Glass is the softest thing I've been thrown into this week."

I rolled up my sleeves, and winked at Kadrak.

"I've only been walking around here for about fifteen minutes... but I love Iridonia."

I opened my arms in a sort of 'come get me' gesture, and picked up a large piece of the chair I'd just trampled. The big Zabrak just grinned and stepped through the window.

[member="Cryax Bane"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

With a crooked sort of grin Kadrak drew her blaster and spinning it on a finger, flicking the safety off. "Glad to know you're getting along well with everyone right off. It would be a shame if you were to upset anyone on the street." As the Zabrak male stepped forward she spoke another insult in Zabraki, this time loud enough for him to hear. She'd already assumed he didn't speak Basic, though many on the planet did and it was a rarity to find one person without basic knowledge of the language. Then again, most people didn't enjoy getting thrown through bar windows and starting fights, but Zatten was there as well.
Looking to Cryax with a smile at his reaction to their relationship. "Oh, trust me, this is normal. I would have been surprised if he hadn't made an entrance of a similar sort before it was all said and done. He does tend to inspire people to attack him, but this is something a bit new. I don't think he's been thrown through a window yet, unless I missed something."
She finished the rest of her whiskey and winked at Zatten. "I'll buy you one after this, unless you're getting tired of me doing that for you. In which case I might reconsider. But probably not. I'm glad you've taken a liking to things, though. But you haven't seen the half of it, if this is the only trouble you've managed to get into. There are plenty more sights to see."

[member="Zatten Black"], [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I smiled back at Kadrak, and flipped the hunk of wood in my hands.

"I've never been thrown through a window. Out an open one, yes... but never through one. Why d'you look so surprised, Cryax?"

The ugly walked into the pile of glass that my crash had left, and I grinned wearily.

"You know, I'm not in the best mood right now. Hangovers don't agree with me."

The big guy said something unintelligible in some kind of pidgin Huttese/Zabraki/Basic that I just shook my head at. He stepped forward, and I whacked him with the chair. He stepped back in a dizzy sort of way, but he was still standing.

"Kadrak, what the hell is that uniform he's wearing?"

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax smiled at the couple's pithy banter. The Zabrak mechanic and the pink whatever-he-was made a cute couple, there was no denying it. Interesting. Kadrak said she worked for the Novas. He knew the fleet's relationship with the Ravens was poor, but he didn't feel like it was too much of a concern. However, it was something to file away for later because suddenly another figure barreled into the room. And whoever he was, he was irate.

At sight of the beefy Zabrak thug making a beeline for [member="Zatten Black"], the Chiss instinctively drew his blaster, readying it. He noticed that Kadrak was already two steps ahead, spinning her weapon with flair. Then Zatten smashed a chair into him, hardly making a dent.

He figured he'd keep his blaster cocked, but clearly the two had the situation handled. Perhaps he'd just sit back and watch the show while his ale was still cold.

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

"Military. Most likely formerly, if he's acting like this. Or will be." Kadrak took a few steps back to give Zatten his space in dealing with the man. "Normally I would say shoot him and get it over with, but I have this feeling you might want to have your fun." Despite these words she kept her blaster drawn and the safety off, keeping a close eye on the others at the bar lest they decide to join in. "Unless you'd rather me take a few potshots right now and finish things right off. But that doesn't seem to be your style."
One side of her mouth turned up in a half smile as she turned to the bartender for a moment. "Two whiskeys with wroshyr sap. I'll be sure to pay after we take care of our friend here."
With the same sort of smile she looked to Cryax. "Maybe I'll let you shoot, if it turns out he wants to end things right away. You did say you've been getting more training, and probably something a lot better than what I could offer. We'll have to test it out. And there won't be any pyromancing foxes to worry about this time. Just one big Zabrak, but you know what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
She leaned back against the bar, glancing briefly to the broken window and the few disgruntled denizens, speaking a quiet word in Zabraki that caused the majority of them to take a step back and reconsider any ill will towards the three of them.

[member="Cryax Bane"], [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

The hulk of a man, still swaying, came up and tried to land a heavy-fisted punch in my ribs. I grinned, and twisted out of the way, letting him fall to the floor.

"You know, you should never attack a pink guy with a hangover. Particularly not me."

I grinned evilly, mimicking the process by which I had been thrown through the window. I picked the guy up by the collar of his uniform, dragged him to the broken storefront, and sent him flying with a Force-blast to the chest.

"Idiot."

I walked back over to Kadrak and Cryax, grabbing her around the waist, and him around the neck.

"I have no doubt that this was the least fucked-up thing that will happen today. Let's drink and ignore it for a bit."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"I hope you two can promise me this good a time every time we go out." Cryax laughed and took a swig of his drink. He watched as a couple of bar employees began to clean up the mess. He liked this entertaining couple. And after spending many years of his life on Bakura and with The Collectors, alone with only Droids to keep him company, it was nice to have some friends. He looked at Zatten and grinned.

"I have to say I'm a little disappointed, Zatten. I didn't think Zeltrons got hangovers."

[member="Zatten Black"] [member="Kadrak Jalaan"]

 

[Avery Rose Garter]

With a teasing look towards the Zeltron hybrid in question Kadrak spoke, "Don't worry, Zeltron do get hangovers, it just takes a bit more time. I'm more surprised that this particular one managed to drink enough to get himself even close to that state. Usually he just gets more lucid, and oftentimes more serious, the more he drinks. A hangover is something new to the mix." A grin broke out on her face. "Oh, we can promise you this good a time and more. I can say with no doubt that this is the first of many fights to break out, and only the beginning of what will certainly be an interesting day. As he's said, it's a bit disappointing if no one insults, attempts to kill or maim you by the end of the night. Then you know you're doing something wrong."
Once Zatten mentioned drinking she nudged one of the two whiskeys she'd bought in his direction. "I know how much you love to appear the gentleman, but I got you a little something while you were busy with your playmate in uniform. And before you ask, yes, it has wroshyr sap." She kissed his cheek and pulled back with a wink.
Looking towards Cryax she smiled. "I'd be careful, by the way. He might have a difficult time getting hangovers, but sadly enough we're more than capable. You might find yourself with one tomorrow morning if he talks you into drinking more than you thought you were capable of today. Not that I'd ever imagine him doing something of the sort." She glanced to Zatten and stuck her tongue out at him.

[member="Cryax Bane"], [member="Zatten Black"]

 

[Zatten Black]

I rolled my eyes jokingly at Kadrak, and squeezed her quickly.

"You wound me, love. You automatically assumed I needed a drink after getting over a hangover."

I pretended to pout, and then gave her a wink.

"You know me too well."

Then I pointed at Cryax. Grinning almost evilly, again.

"And you're drinking. No arguments."

I took my whiskey, and laughed at the expression on the gaping barman's face. He spluttered and said something in Zabraki, while pointing my favorite finger of the humanoid hand at me. I stuck my tongue out, and flipped a credit stick to him. He caught it, and fed it into the machine in front of him. When he realized how much was on the stick, he shook his head in wonderment, and pulled a barrel of whiskey out fro under the bar.

I looked innocently at my two friends, and then grinned.

"I get hangovers when I'm not actively using the Force to up my metabolism. The concentration makes me a bit more serious. Of course, when a pleasant distraction comes along, my concentration goes out the window."

[member="Kadrak Jalaan"] [member="Cryax Bane"]