Private Loosing Dogs

[Capris Halcyon]

The girl shrugged, half expecting an answer somewhere in that vein. He didn't think he'd make a good Jedi? Huh, where'd she hear that one before.

"Yeah, thought the same." Making no indication whether she was talking about the "being too old" part or the "being a subpar jedi" part, the girl simply dropped it. She wasn't about to break open that can of worms. Vulnerability sucked, and she was far too prideful of a person to drop any inkling of insecurity onto a virtual stranger.

"Money maker huh? Suit yourself." With a chuckle the girl shook her head, "Just saying anyone you tell that story to is gonna think your full of chit without hard evidence." She certainly might've if not for that fact she had first row seats to the whole thing. The number of people she knew who could pull off a maneuver like that with zero causality was slim.

He was wrong. He had oodles of potential.

"Speaking of evidence..." The girl looked back at the Sithspawn, as if finally realizing the amount of damage control before them. "You happen to have a ship? And Valery's number now that I mention it?"

Gatz Derrevar

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

​

Capris seemed to sympathize with his stance on returning to the Jedi, and Gatz found that he wasn't too surprised by that. She was rough around the edges, not unlike he was, and he gathered that she probably hadn't been taken in by the Order at a young age like he had. Too much of her demeanor was like that of a rabid animal: always wary of who was around her, expecting them to try and hurt her.

Or, maybe he was just reading into things. He was no psychiatrist.

"I think you'll make a fine Jedi," Gatz admitted, "but I've got too many hang ups about the Order to return to it."

What she was correct about, though, was how few people were going to believe this story. A scar would have been much better proof than his word: after all, who would trust the word of a scoundrel? Oh well, maybe he wouldn't retell this story. It was a shame, considering how heroic a tale it was for him, but Gatz supposed that doing a good deed was its own reward.

He did miss the days when he got paid for this kind of thing, though.

"You ever meet a smuggler without a ship?" Gatz razzed her, "I can get in touch with Valery, if you'd like. But earlier, I sort of got the vibe that you didn't particularly want to talk about her. Or to her."

---

Tags: Capris Halcyon

 

[Capris Halcyon]

Was she really that transparent? Her eyes searched Gatz's for a moment before drifting to the ground. No. She didn't want to bother Valery. But she really didn't want to bother Kahlil.

He'd find out what she'd done eventually of course, but she'd rather delay the inevitable. She didn't need to see the disappointment in his eyes firsthand. She was supposed to be better after Batorine. Supposed to be more responsible with this wildly dangerous power he'd entrusted her with.

And in that regard, she'd failed spectacularly.

It also didn't hurt that Valery knew Gatz. To Kahlil it would look like she dragged some unsuspecting civilian into her schemes.

"It's- complicated. She's just- " The girl hesitated, loosely gesturing as if the words would come to her, "been through the wringer."

Whatever that meant for a Jedi Master.

"Still, she's our best bet if we want to get this thing to where it needs to go."

Gatz Derrevar

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

​

Whatever it was Capris was talking about, whatever "wringer" Valery had been through, Gatz was ignorant of it. It concerned him, and he felt compelled to ask after it, but kept his lips sealed. If Valery had wanted him to know about it, she'd have told him. The fact that she hadn't could only mean that it wasn't intended for his ears. He would respect that. Gatz owed her that, and so much more.

Gatz had a feeling that Valery didn't know Capris was out here. What Jedi Master would let a Padawan hunt a Sithspawn on their own, after all? She was probably in for an earful, either from the Sword or her husband. But Capris had done good today, and that was something that ought to be rewarded, not punished.

"I'll give her a ring when we get back to my ship," Gatz told the Padawan, "and if she disapproves of you being out here, we'll just tell her that this was my idea."

And if this reckless stunt of theirs was to be commended, then he'd let Capris take all the accolades.

It was almost laughable, the mere idea that he could fool Valery Noble. She'd catch the lie the moment it left his lips, maybe even before. Still... it was worth the effort, and eventual sheepish embarrassment. Capris deserved some slack. Sure, she was a little rough around the edges, but who wasn't? She was a much better person than he'd been at her age.

"How, uh, how long is this ice gonna hold?"

---

Tags: Capris Halcyon

 

[Capris Halcyon]

“Lying to Valery? That’s bold.” The girl snickered, shaking her head at the absurdity, “As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I really don’t need you risking your life for me twice in one day.” Wouldn’t be very Jedi of her. Least she could do was take accountability.

“Besides, she knows what I’m like. I knew what I was getting myself into.”

It was hardly her first time acting out. Likely wouldn’t be her last either.

Turning to the crystallized prison, she placed a hand on the ice, reinforcing the structure.

“As long as I need it to.” She answered nonchalantly, “So long as nothing interferes with the sequence.”

The only thing capable of doing such would be a Sith. And well, if there happened to be one roaming around this wasteland of a planet then the Sithspawn would definitely take a backseat anyway.

Gatz Derrevar

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

​

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting it to work," Gatz admitted, "I was hoping that she'd just go along with the lie, and take it easy on you. I can't do anything for her husband though: I've never met the man. Sorry."

It was downright surprising how little he knew about Valery's family, considering how much time they'd spent around each other. But that was probably wise: the Sword of the Jedi had more enemies in the galaxy than he had credits (which wasn't much these days, but that wasn't the point). By keeping silent about her familial affairs, even with valued friends, she limited the amount of information about them that could be leaked to her enemies.

Or maybe it was that, when the two of them got together, they were always too busy to speak about mundane things like that. It wasn't like Gatz ever got a hold of her for a casual meet. There was always something of the utmost importance to be accomplished, and one of them needed the other to make it out alive.

Well... it was more like he needed her to make it out alive. Valery did most of the heavy lifting, really. Gatz still wasn't sure she'd ever actually needed him.

"Okay, so we're good to just jet back to port real quick? Or, uh... walk, since this thing destroyed our "borrowed" speeder."

Gatz didn't particularly like the idea of leaving this thing unattended, but if Capris said it was safe, he'd go along with it.

---

Tags: Capris Halcyon

 

[Capris Halcyon]

"Maybe you'll finally get to. This is exactly how I met him."

Different Sith spawn, different location, same premise. In all honesty she was surprised Kahlil hadn't materialized from the abyss to chastise her yet. First time around he'd made her his padawan, but she had a feeling her recklessness wouldn't be so easily rewarded now.

Capris eyed the beast a moment, its chest heaving in slow, sputtering breathes. It certainly wouldn't stir or find the strength to shuck off its icy shackles anytime soon. Not with a skewer running through its side.

"-You're- good to jet back to the port. I'm going to stay and make sure this thing doesn't croak on us." Poorly masking a spark of concern, Capris loosely nodded. Making a kebab out of the thing may have been too harsh of an approach in retrospect. One that jeopardized the whole mission as the beast strained for each breath. It almost had her shoulders shagging with guilt. It seemed harsh approaches were the only ones she was capable of taking nowadays.

"And I don't know how strict air traffic control is around these parts, but I'm sure you'd just fine to weasel your ship out here."

Not that she didn't trust him, but if he was calling Valery up of all people, she absolutely wanted to sit in for that call. Easier to defend her actions that way.

Gatz Derrevar

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

​

As interested as Gatz was in meeting the man behind the Jedi Order's poster woman, the young smuggler was beginning to wonder if he even should. He couldn't keep that last thought out of his head: that the less people knew about Valery's family, the less danger they were in. The Sword's job made her a very public target, and he was now a known associate of hers. The target on his back was much smaller than the one on hers, but it was there all the same.

Gatz Derrevar was not a good man. Not by a longshot. Giving vital information to scum like him, giving them info about your loved ones was only asking for that information to be used against you. Would he have ratted Valery and her family out for credits? No. No amount of money would be enough for him to willingly endanger her husband and children. But wave a red lightsaber in his face, and threaten to take a few limbs and...

Well, Gatz didn't want to know what he'd do in a situation like that. He was a mortal man: fear and self-preservation ruled him. Self-interest drove him. Even now as he tried to better himself, he was really doing it to assuage his own guilty conscience: pretending that if he could do enough good, it would erase all the bad he'd done.

Better that he know nothing. Know no one. Valery's family was safer that way.

"Here's hoping," he feigned interest in meeting the Sword's husband, masking his newfound resolution, "I'll try to be quick. And I'll leave Valery a message to try and... soften her up before we actually call her."

He could feel, more than see, Capris' concern. Was she worried about this creature? Gatz had to give the Padawan props for her level of compassion: it had nearly turned him into shredded beef, and frankly he would have felt better if they'd killed the damn thing. But then, maybe that was why she was the Jedi, and he the... whatever he was these days.

"And Capris," Gatz placed a light hand on her shoulder, "you saved a lot of people today. You even saved this thing, where most would have simply killed it. You did good, Jedi."

He let his hand drop, and started to walk away. Though he was uneasy at the idea of leaving Capris with this thing, he chose to have faith in her abilities. In the Force, as hard as that was for him. Besides, he'd be back pretty soon. Air traffic control was pretty much nonexistent here, considering it was a shantytown at best. He didn't think he'd run into any trouble.

On the way, Gatz pulled his commlink out of his jacket, to record a message to be transmitted once he got back to The Red Night.

"Hey Valery, have you ever heard the one about the smuggler, the Padawan, and the Sithspawn? It's not a half bad story. You see, it all started when..."

---

Tags: Capris Halcyon Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant Temple

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon

"Hey Valery, have you ever heard the one about the smuggler, the Padawan, and the Sithspawn? It's not a half bad story. You see, it all started when..."

"You brought Capris along to fight a Sithspawn?"

Her voice was a lot less friendly than it usually was when she talked to him, but not too hostile either. It was just laced with a motherly type of protectiveness she had for her kids, her Padawans and her husband's Padawans. Capris was like a daughter to her, so even just a wrong look in her direction could result in a death glare from Valery. Even for someone like Gatz, who she liked, but the idea of him being with Capris made her suspicious.

"Is she okay?" She then asked, before realizing he had also been in that situation with her. "...are you okay? If something's up, I'll be there before you know it."

Valery fell back into her chair with a sigh and waited for their response. If Kahlil found out that Capris was getting into dangerous situations, he'd not be happy. But maybe that's exactly why they were contacting her? Valery squinted again, and opened the comms device one more time.

"You there with him, Capris? I hope, for his sake, that he's been behaving."

 

[Capris Halcyon]

It was with bated breath she waited for Gatz to return, a steady beat of anxiety stemming from Valery’s potential reaction. She’d accomplished what she’d came for - with substantial help- but as the minutes ticked on she found it harder to find any comfort in that fact.

She’d still disappeared to do something stupidly dangerous without so much as a word to Valery or Kahlil. Who knows what would’ve happened if Gatz hadn’t intervened? Valery really didn’t need another mess to clean up.

Eventually Gatz came into view, and while she couldn’t help an impressed look at his ship, any awe was quickly squashed by the voice that came over the comms.

Valery

“I’m here. And still in one piece thanks to Gatz." She confirmed, gathering a bit of resolve. It was weird, as anxiety inducing as it was to have to fess up to Valery, there was also a distinct feeling of relief at hearing her voice again.

With a look of acknowledgement Gatz’s way, the girl continued, “Don’t know how much he’s spilled, but uh- we caught ourselves a sithspawn.”

With a sheepish smile, Capris scratched the back of her neck.

“Supriseee.”

Gatz Derrevar Valery Noble

 

[Gatz Derrevar]

​

The Red Night landed in the cul-de-sac Gatz had spun out in on the speeder. When the ramp descended, Gatz stepped down it to rejoin Capris. His commlink was already in his hand, and Valery's voice could be heard coming from it, not exactly impressed with him. But that was alright. He could take the heat so that Capris wouldn't have to.

He understood what it was like to be a "problem child."

"Valery, there was a Sithspawn rampaging. People's homes were destroyed, and people had died. I didn't have time to call you, or for you to show up, so I made do with the Jedi I had. She did splendid, by the way, and she doesn't have a scratch on her. I've got a few bumps and bruises, but I didn't lose a limb or anything."

Let the kid have the credit, he thought. He knew all too well what it was like to accomplish something, only to get a lecture instead of a "well done." He'd make damn sure that Valery and her husband commended Capris for the lives she saved. Even if there still was a lecture in store for her, and he was certain there was, she would be acknowledged if it was the last thing he did.

And then Valery accused him of improper conduct with her husband's Padawan.

"What?!" Gatz couldn't keep the outrage, or the hurt, out of his voice, "do you really think that I'd—

He cut himself short. Getting upset, lashing out over this... it would accomplish nothing. So he sucked in a breath, let it out in a long sigh, and quietly handed the commlink to Capris.

"I need to go make sure there's space in my cargo bay," he said neutrally.

How could Valery think that he would perv on some Padawan still in her teens? He would be the first person to admit that he hadn't always been a good man, but he'd never given her any indication that he would do something so heinous!

Capris is a young woman, whom Valery is responsible for. And you're scum. Do you think she's forgotten that, just because you've worked together?

His mind was, as always, not on his side. There was logic in that thought: of course Valery had to make sure her husband's Padawan was safe. That was her duty. But to think that he'd—why? She'd been willing to step in front of a blaster for him. She'd trusted him to patch her up, something she clearly wasn't comfortable letting others do. Why was it that she suddenly didn't have faith in him?

Maybe she never had faith in you in the first place.

---

Tags: Valery Noble Capris Halcyon

 

[Valery Noble]

Coruscant Temple

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsaber
Tag: Gatz Derrevar Capris Halcyon

"I'm here. And still in one piece thanks to Gatz."

Valery let out a soft sigh of relief, but that feeling faded pretty quickly when she mentioned the Sithspawn. But before she could really focus on that, she heard Gatz's response to her question, and frowned a bit, "Gatz, I didn't mean it like that-" she was cut off by him getting up to leave, and felt bad. She knew her motherly protectiveness carried over to some Padawans as well, and Capris was definitely one of them.

She knew Gatz wasn't the type to be weird with young women, but she'd always be careful about any person hanging around Capris or her own Padawans too much.

Especially not if there were Sithspawn involved.

"Capris? Can you send me your coordinates or meet me somewhere? If it's safe enough, bring it to New Cov, to Kahlil's facility there to help Sithspawn. We'll take it from there."

"And uh, please talk to Gatz, will you? He's not a bad man at all, and I know that."