First Reply Hunting the Hunters

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Witch Outfit
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber

There was some information on an animal smuggling ring operating out of Nar Shaddaa, specifically the lower levels, they were organising a smuggling operation of dangerous animals. A lot of the animals had come from Dathomir and Dreidi was chasing a lead down. Quite literally.

The streets of Nar Shaddaa were not quite the new and clean-ish streets of Coruscant so chasing down a target more use to the area was a tough ordeal. Dreidi was running around and doing a lot of parkour than she was use to as well. And she couldn't risk teleporting either since the target could run into as she reappeared which was a big no-no in her book. Instead she decided to run on foot, reminding her of the obstacle course she had recently taken part in. It was definitely an eye opener in that she needed to get on some cardio exercises and learn how to do parkour better, because she was not good at it.

Luckily for her, Grisial was attempting to come in at the side and pincher the target so that she would get a chance to grab the scum and question him on his operation or who he operates for. Right now, she just knew he was dealing in the animal smuggling but she doubted that this would be the head of the snake, it would be too simple to be the first guy she was chasing.

Grisial, we are heading right. Better be close by, cause we can't let the guy get away! Dreidi called out to the Vulptex through her mind.

The crystal fox replied in a huffy tone and making it clear that he was doing his best. He also pointed out that if she wasn't so concerned about her hands that she could run like he did and catch the guy, however, Dreidi was not fond of the idea of a needle piercing her hand or something gross sticking it. So, she ran like a normal humanoid for now.

 

[Yuri Maji]

"Why the kriff does it always have to be me?" Yuri grumbled to himself as he ducked through alleys and streets in desperate hopes of losing his chaser, though the lady seemed quite capable of keeping up with him. This was supposed to be a simple job. Move some creepy animals, get paid. Simple as that. The job description didn't mention being chased by a crazy lady and her wacky pet.

Leaping over a dumpster, he yanked the lids up in an effort to slow her down and break contact, though that played out a lot smoother in his mind than it did in reality. The Shistavanen quickly regained his footing and took another turn, though the scent of her pet was growing stronger. Damn thing was managing to keep up. Normally he wouldn't have considered ruining his rather treasured reputation, but in this instance it could probably be excused.

Yuri hunched over and dug his hands against the ground, taking off like an animal on all fours in an attempt to get away from the crazy woman.

He forgot to factor in the state of the streets in his grand plan.

The Shistavanen yelped and crashed into a nearby pile of trash as a shard of glass stuck from his hand. With a hiss he rolled over and pulled it from his hand, but the realisation of his error dawned on him as his chaser gained ground. With no other option, he drew his pistol with his good left hand and trained it on the woman. "You wanna go, sis, let's go!" He practically barked as he clutched his hand against his chest.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Witch Outfit
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

The smuggler had attempted to get away by jumping onto all fours, briefly Dreidi considered following suit but luck seemed to smile on her today since the fool hurt himself and crashed into some trash. His attempt to pull out his blaster on Dreidi was laughable, seemed that this guy had no experiences with Witches or Jedi, to think a measly pistol would stop her. "You are going to tell me everything I want to know," her fingers danced beside her and the green smoke of her Magick swirled and moved around her fingers and snaked around her arm.

Grisial was crouched low, growling deeply as he padded forward from the side. It was unusual to see the Vulptex take such an aggressive stance and she was pleased to see him helping her in this intimidation tactic.

"You do not want to face the wrath of a Dathomir Witch, smuggler." Dreidi's eyes turned completely white, demonstrating that she was fully connecting with her Magick as she stared the smuggler down. "So, tell me who hired you to smuggle the animals from Dathomir and where you took them. Be truthful and helpful, and I might consider letting you survive with your mind intact." It was a dark threat, one more fitting a witch than a Jedi but she wasn't on actually hurting the smuggler, just making it seem like she would be very happy to do so.

 

[Yuri Maji]

The witch was on him in an instant with her pet standing by, teeth bared at the smuggler. Yuri instinctively snarled back at the mutt, at least he understood that language perfectly well. His attention turned back to the witch as she threatened him, green mist circling her hand and her eyes turning completely white.

Normally actions like those would scare all but the hardest of characters in the galaxy, but the Shistavanen found himself less intimidated and more enamoured with the effects. "That's kinda hot." He remarked as he studied her from head to toe. She asked about the shipment which earned a confused look from Yuri. "Hey, I'm just a middle man. Shipment came in, got transferred to me, and I had to drop 'em off. I've never been to Dathomir." He explained truthfully as he lowered his gun somewhat.

"And tellin' you where they went's it's own can of worms. Dunno how good that magic of yours is, but I can guarantee you it's not gonna be an easy entry." He sat back with a cool grin. Maybe if he played his cards right, he could get with the rather attractive witch. Nightsisters weren't really a people he had encountered before. "So, we done? Or is this the part where you ask for my help?" He asked with a smug smirk as he lowered his gun and slowly rose, still clutching his bleeding hand against his chest.

"You, uh... don't got a bandage or something for me, right?" He asked shamelessly as he showed the rather severe cut in his hand.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Witch Outfit
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

She sighed, the guy was a weirdo. Instantly coming out of the gate saying her tactic was hot, it was a weird self report on what he thought was a smooth talk.

"Not interested in what you find hot or not. So, just stay focused on what I am asking and answering my questions." Dreidi stated firmly, Grisial's growling deeply as he was frustrated with the comment from the smuggler. "I don't care what position you were, you played a part in this and you're lucky I didn't rip your limbs off for it. The exploitation of Dathomir is something a Witch does not take lightly to." With the Magick, she shoved the smuggler against the dumpster again.

The mention of having to deal with difficult entry, she laughed, "I will be fine." Her eyes snapped from the white to her normal golden colour, "I am not going to have you by my side, give me the information I need and I will get help from people I trust. I don't trust you." Dreidi was not reckless enough to just throw caution to the wind. "I will be gracious enough to let you live and not drag your arse into a jail cell for the illegal trafficking of our animals."

At the mention of handing over a bandage, she sighed annoyed, this man had nerves that infuriated her more than softened her to him. A flick of her wrist and she mended the cut so that a red scar was all that remained. "Ready to focus now, where are the animals?"

 

[Yuri Maji]

With her magic, the witch shoved Yuri against the dumpster, prompting him to holster his gun and raise his hands. However, at the mention of illegal trafficking, Yuri frowned as he straightened his posture. "Hey now, it wasn't outright illegal." He defended briefly, but remained quiet as she continued to ask for more details.

While also healing his hand. He blinked at the mist drifting around his hand and stitching up the previously open wound. He studied his hand with a bewildered "Huh." but remained quiet otherwise.

"Zygerria." He answered her question without hesitation, but with a knowing smile. "Dropped my shipment off there. I know some of 'em is supposed to be used for some kind of arena, but that ain't it. Some are supposed to be either auctioned off or sold. Heard something about Nimban in that mix. So time is a bit of a crunch. But that ain't all. The clients in all this are a bit paranoid, they won't just meet anyone, and I doubt you'll be able to get to 'em without me." He explained to her, taking a step closer.

"That ain't all, though. Our pickup on Dathomir was legal, for all intents and purposes. We had a seller who was in charge of tagging and bagging. Someone apparently familiar with Dathomir and its animals." The look he gave her made a point of what he was implying. "Now, I don't know who that person is, but I know they're local... and I know for a fact that the clients on Zygerria would know who they are. Like I said, we were just the middle men." He continued, stretching his previously injured hand out towards her.

With a smug grin he watched her carefully. "So, you want my help to get you your adorable pooches back, or would you rather like to go into that hell hole all by your lonesome?" He asked her with a sing song voice. He had his own motives for switching sides this easily, but she didn't need to know that.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Witch Outfit
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

"Dathomir does not condone the poaching and smuggling of animals. Especially the witches of Dathomir." Dreidi spoke slowly, carefully, "just be glad it was me chasing you down and not a nightsister, all to eager to burn you alive." Given her interactions with nightsisters and other witches on Dathomir, she knew this was a fact and not some thin veiled bluff to look like a good person.

Zygerria was not good, that place was infamous for slavery and dealings with ways of life that Dreidi was vehemently against. "Hm." Her mind was thinking of how to approach things since this was outside of Galactic Alliance territory and it was not necessarily something the Jedi Order would be too keen to assist her with. However, she did have friends outside both that might be willing to hunt down these smugglers. "I think you talk a bit game but you haven't demonstrated any reason why I would ever trust you." Dreidi wasn't keen on working with strangers, especially strangers who were basically working against her not two minutes ago.

"I know the seller, how do you think I got to you?" Dreidi countered, informing that the seller was a rat, "they faced the judgement of Dathomir for their crimes. I am not here for you, I just need to get to Zygerria and end them." Dreidi did not take his hand, her golden eyes were burning in anger at the balls that this man was displaying, knowing that she could rip him apart if she wanted to but wasn't.

Shaking her head, "I have friends more than willing to help me with this. Given the creatures of Dathomir can kill trained Jedi, demonstrate a modicum of respect to them. So unless you want to tell me why you are wishing to turn tables, this is where we part. I can't trust you and I don't work with those I don't trust."

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri couldn't help but grin a toothy, parsec-long grin at the girl's remarks on their standing. He kept quiet for once, listening to what she had to say as he tried to figure out how to react. She didn't understand. She wouldn't understand. Too enclosed to empathise with him. She was almost acting like a Jedi with how she responded. "Vode an, genet." He remarked in Mando'a as he took a step closer. "I might be willing to ferry pretty much anything for a few creds, but I also have a home." He answered truthfully.

"You don't wanna have a smooth entry into Zygerria's capital, that's cool with me. But hell, the least I can do is help you get your pooches back. Force knows I'd do a lot worse if the same happened to me." He raised his hands and turned away to start walking. "Besides, having a world-class smuggler on your contact list ain't always a bad thing." He paused to look at the woman again.

"Creds don't mean that much to me. Doing right by others? Now that's somethin' Ma made sure to beat into me. You want into Zygerria? I can get you to your target. Guns blazing or quiet, that's your call. All I wanna do is help someone who's been wronged." He turned to face her with his smug grin, arms held out. "Come on, you're a Forcie. Tell me if I'm lyin'." He was confident in his question. At the end of the day, he had nothing to hide or lie about to the woman.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Witch Outfit
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

While Dreidi could not speak Mando'a, she knew enough of the language to know when someone was speaking it. Which meant this smuggler was very likely a Mandalorian, which was another reason to be on edge around him. Mandalorians were notorious for being troublesome. Especially with the Jedi, she had lived through one period of Mandalorians attempting to crusade against Jedi and there were rumours spreading about a second one coming soon. It was something that she was being cautious about.

"You're going to put me in contact with the world class smuggler?" Dreidi questioned sarcastically, not holding his skills to a high standard since she felled him easily enough. "Getting to Zygerria will be simple enough, when I wish to be, I can be very charming." Dreidi's tone was neutral, she was not going to give a demonstration currently of her talents and she was not letting this smuggler think he was needed on her mission.

Dreidi raised an eyebrow, "doing right by others? Taking wild animals away from their home is not doing right by them." Dreidi was stern on the issue, she was not letting it escape her that he had crossed a line in her book, in the book of many Dathormirians. "However, if you are seeking to redeem yourself then I won't stop you." Redemption was something she could understand and something that made sense to her as a Jedi as well.

"Get your things together and meet me at the docks. I have some other leads I need to investigate before we head to Zygerria and clearly you need to find your equipment, a Mandalorian without their armour is useless to me." Dreidi was being harsh in her assessments of Yuri, but she curious to see his skills in action during this mission. See if he can move beyond the initial poor first impression she was holding of him.

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri's lips pursed and a frown set in as the Nightsister raked him over the coals a little bit more. He wasn't going to have an argument with her to prove his morals. Whatever she believed was good enough, the ball was in her court. He had the means to help and he extended his hand. He was fairly dismissive with her attitude towards him, though a comment about his armour made the Shistavanen stiff as a board.

"Armour's a last resort." He practically snarled at her with a cold glare. With a breath he pulled out his datapad and held it to her. "Drop me your deets, I'll send you my pad number." He spoke more calmly. "They know my ship, and a Nightsister will sprout questions. Get yourself some other clothes." It was more an instruction than a suggestion before he left with a casual salute.

A while later the Shistavanen stood outside the boarding ramp of his ship, lighting a cigarette as he contemplated what he was getting himself into. It was a job, just like any other. But he understood her situation, empathized with it. No matter how ornery the harpy was or how difficult she got, he couldn't shoot down the chance to help right his wrongs. Honour and loyalty held more value than credits... and he wasn't going to explain to his parents how he messed up someone else's homeworld and refused to extend a hand.

A long, smokey sigh escaped as he rested his head against the hull of his ship. Why did he have to use Mando'a? She likely had some prefabricated mindset towards him and his people, as hard as he tried to keep a distance from them. With another long drag, the Shistavanen shook his head and glanced around in search of the Nightsister.

She was giving him a headache.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

"I know your scent, I will find you when the time is ready." Dreidi stated, not wishing to provide any information that this stranger could use to figure out her name or her role as a Jedi Knight. It would not look well for some criminal to have her contact information.

Disappearing in swirl of green smoke. Grisial growled once at the Mandalorian before scarpering off into the night. The Vulptex was able to locate to Dreidi and he could tell she was not pleased with the situation. There were still a lot of unknowns and she didn't want to work with someone that she had no clue about. However, there didn't seem to be much of a choice for her. She leaned down and scratched Grisial behind his ears as she petted him to soothe her emotions.

"Seems we have to work with the guy, but be ready for anything shenanigans that occur and keep an eye on that guy, you know how to cause a lot of trouble yourself, so I am sure that you know what to look out for with others." Dreidi looked at Grisial who tilted his head, outraged at the notion that Yuri and himself were anything alike.

It made Dreidi smirk.

Arriving at the docks, the scent of Yuri was easy to identify thanks to her keen senses from her Zorren blood. Grisial moved with her through the crowd. Dreidi was wearing her civilian clothing as she walked up to Yuri, she was smoking as well, flicking her finished cigarette into the bin. Her eyes stared at the ship. "This our ride?" She wasn't too impressed by it.

 

[Yuri Maji]

His former pursuer finally arrived at the dock, thankfully dressed in sensible clothes that would keep a low profile for where they were going. A scoff escaped the Shistavanen at the remark about his ship as he flicked his bud away. "Don't look like much, but she can go places. You don't easily beat Mando build quality." He remarked without skipping a beat. "Come on, make yourself at home. There's whiskey and beer in the galley." He turned and ascended the boarding ramp for the cockpit, closing the ship up once the girl and her pet were onboard.

Once in the cockpit, Yuri flipped the switches and powered up his apparently unimpressive freighter. The gall of that damned Nightsister to disrespect his baby. After a few minutes the ship lifted off the ground and blasted off toward orbit, all the while Yuri fiddled with the navicomputer to select Zygerria. As soon as they were underway in hyperspace, Yuri left the autopilot to do its thing as he made his way to his ship's galley.

"Okay, so how do you wanna go in? I asked you earlier, but you didn't have much of an answer. You wanna go in quick and hard, or quiet and sensible?" He asked the girl as he lit another cigarette. Opening his fridge, he pulled a bottle of beer for himself and one for her, if she so desired.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

Dreidi stepped on the ship, Grisial keeping close to her as she looked around the ship. "If you say so, I saw many ships of Mandalorian construction and design crumple against the power of the Jedi and the Silver Jedi Order." She wasn't looking at Yuri, just commenting about what she saw as a child, she had seen it when her father was still alive, Grand Master of the Order as he fought the Mandalorians invading their home. That was a day that her father had shown the reasons you do not push a calm, kind man to the edge of his patience. He had been furious they risk his family's safety and Dreidi would never forget the rage he had brewed.

It was a fury that would make this ship crumble under the weight of his power. That was all Dreidi could think about as she wondered if some day she would contain such levels of power. It seemed so far away for her to achieve that from where she was currently.

"I am fine. Think staying sober for the mission is best." Dreidi stated at the mention of beer and whiskey. She doubted it would be a beer or whiskey that she would enjoy, since she was very particular about the alcohol she did consume. She watched Yuri set their destination as Zyggeria, making sure that she saw he was taking her to the current planet and not some trap. Not that it couldn't still be a trap, it was just good to know where they were heading and not letting herself fall victim to a trap due to carelessness.

Looking at the beer offered to her, "no thank you. I think I will find somewhere quiet to meditate till we arrive." Dreidi stated, she was not looking to find a drinking companion right now, she was mission focused. Leaving the cockpit, Dreidi sighed and wondered how she ended up here, looking around the place, she hunted down a quieter spot of the ship. Sitting down on the floor, she closed her eyes and began to meditate, seeking out guidance from her ancestors, hoping that they would be able to guide Dreidi on the path she was now on.

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri had to bite his tongue as the Nightsister threw a casual jab at Mandalorian design. Thankfully he knew how to keep his mouth shut once in a while. No need to get petty about it, though her remark did raise another question. "Didn't know Nightsisters cared much about Jedi." He remarked. Unsurprisingly she refused his offer of a drink and instead wanted to go meditate. Just how boring was this girl?

"You know it's fine to just call it a nap, right?" He remarked as he made his way back to the cockpit, though he stopped to look back at her. "The name's Yuri, by the way." He remarked before making himself comfortable in the cockpit. Judging by the onboard cameras, she found herself in the cargo hold for some peace and quiet. Sure enough, she looked like she was actually meditating. Forcies were weird people. Yuri shook his head and switched off the camera system, instead turning his attention to the blue vortex of hyperspace ahead of him.

The ship finally dropped out of hyperspace, waking the Shistavanen with a jerk from his slumped position in the pilot's seat. He groaned and rubbed at his eyes as he looked around him. Everything quickly came back to him as he saw Zygerria ahead of them through the viewport. He nearly kicked over his bottle next to his feet, prompting a sleepy smile from the smuggler. "Oh, sweet." He muttered, helping himself to the beverage to shake himself awake. Finally able to think, he turned on the ship's intercom. :: Attention all passengers, this is your captain speaking. If you look out the viewport ahead of you, you will notice that we have, in fact, arrived at our distasteful destination. Please remain seated and fasten your seatbelts as we make the descent. :: He spoke with a calm and professional tone to press the Nightsister's buttons.

He cut the intercom with a snicker and proceeded with the descent into atmosphere towards a designated landing pad in the capital. He was quickly reminded of why he hated the planet and kept the relationship strictly professional as a line of fresh slaves were ushered along from another freighter closeby. The faint snarl on his features was enough of an indication as he got up, checked his gun, and walked off to go find the girl and her pet.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

"Nightsisters care plenty about those who threaten their existence. Even the Jedi." Dreidi was selecting her words carefully, not lying at all so that no one could attack her for lying, instead she was being a healthy dose of cautious. "If I sought a nap, I would say so. I don't lie, Mandalorian." She could sense that he found her boring to not take the drink which amused her deeply, she was not relaxing her mind or body when there was a mission to be done. "You can call me Dee." She told him after he offered his name unprompted. She was being cautious about trusting her actual name to a criminal carelessly, it was likely to get her in some trouble.

As she meditated, she could hear the whispers of her ancestors, they sought to instruct her in ways to go forward. Some seeking her to tap into her rage, her hatred and burn those that threaten Dathomir but others, like her great-grandmother, guided Dreidi be cautious. To use the Mandalorian and not be so harsh with him. It was something that Lily wasn't thrilled to hear but it was important as both a Jedi and someone trying to build a positive reputation as a witch to be more forgiving.

He was helping her at least.

When they were nearing the destination, Dreidi came out of her meditation and wandered to the cockpit in preparation for their arrival. Seeing the sleeping Mandalorian, Dreidi chuckled deeply to herself. It seemed had drank quite a bit during her meditation to be asleep. When he stirred he called out of the comms and attempted to annoy her with the announcement, it was curious, she found the calm and professional tone perfect. It meant that he was taking this important mission seriously. Lifting her hand, she teleported herself into the seat next to Yuri.

"Good to see you are awake." Watching him land the ship and the line of slaves, his snarl had her curious, "so enslaving animals you can tolerate but not people?" Dreidi asked with a quirked eyebrow, she was curious where the line was, what the differences in his mind were. There was no judgement in her question, just curiosity. As she waited for his answer, she pulled out a cigarette and held her thumb, sprouting a flame large enough to light her cigarette.

 

[Yuri Maji]

"JEEZ!" The Shistavanen yelped as he nearly jumped out of his chair at the Nightsister's sudden appearance. "Karkin' warn me at least!" He practically scolded as a hand rested over his heart. Regaining composure over his breathing, he turned his attention back to the slaves marching past the landing pad. It seemed that Dee found his distaste in the act curious.

"Animal's an animal, unless they're some type of funky creature it don't make no difference. But people are different. I'll transport anything in this galaxy... but I don't ferry slaves." He admitted coldly as he rose from his seat. "Let's get this show on the road." He commented, making his way to the exit. They could try the peaceful option first.

Emerging from his freighter, Yuri shielded his eyes from the sun and adjusted his holster as he waited for Dee to join him. "Gotta get an audience with the top dogs first. They're a pain to deal with." He explained to her as he walked along, checking the business around him with a look of disdain. For the most part, nobody bothered the two. Idle guards kept their eyes peeled and customers went about their business around the center of the city. "There we go. The animal pens." Yuri finally spoke up, pointing to a section of the marketplace. "Let's try the silver option first before we resort to plasma." He cautioned Dee with a hushed voice.

Dreidi Xeraic

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Attire: Casual
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Nightsister Bow, Lightsaber
Tag: Yuri Maji

"And miss that reaction? Where is the fun in that?" Dreidi responded, without a smirk but there was the air of teasing the Mandalorian from her.

She sighed, "if you believe that then that highlights your ignorance. Just as some sentients are smarter than others, animals are the same. Many are smarter than what we call sentients. It is just we can't communicate with them easily." It was easy to point out that Grisial was an example of a creature closer to sentients like themselves but she doubted the Mandalorian would just change his mind from a conversation with her.

Following Yuri, Dreidi remained calm and went about without thinking too hard about being watched with the guards. She had an idea about how to deal with them, it was a bold strategy and she was curious if the Mandalorian would go along with it. "Why do either when decoys allow us to move unchecked?" Dreidi mentioned, she then began to mutter in the old Dathomirian language, the green smoke surrounded the both of them, turning them both invisible and copies of them, it was only images that would work without being touched. Otherwise those images would break and they would be caught.

"Come on, let's sneak in now." Dreidi muttered to Yuri, walking towards the animal pens as the decoys wandered around silently, letting the guards think nothing suspicious was going on.