Faction Oh Lorrd, its the Levantykes

[Aldric Varanin]

Go out and learn.

That was what he was armed with. That, his wits, a very nice jacket, a brand new ship and pilot droid, and all that he had learned back home on Eshan.

Aldric had stepped from the ship and stepped onto the surface of Lorrd. And while he was thinking surface, was the truth of it was, it was the City. There was a definite chance of anxiety approaching the young Varanin as he had left his homeworld, and home region, for parts unknown. But there was no way Aldric was going to run off into the deep black and hit a place where he was too far from element.

"Master Aldric. I shall keep the engines running."

"No need, Elly. I'll be a little bit. I do have my tracker on, however." The young Echani raised his arm and moved the sleeve of his jacket. On his hip was another droid, a small companion one he'd had for a while. It wasn't going to save his life, but it could get a message out to Elly to bring the ship.

The Echani looked at the city, and took a breath before making his way out of the spaceport and to the small shopping area nearby. First thing first, food.

 

[Iona Starchaser]

​

It was finally safe enough to come out.

Stowed away on a freighter, she heard the last of the crew start to filter out. The teenage girl came out from between the crates she had been hiding in for the long trip, adjusting a small pack on her back and tipping her head forward to allow her long black hair to partially cover her face. Iona was doing her best to fit in, to just look like some girl on a regular, basic trip.

A near impossible feat when one grew up in the Jedi Temple, sheltered and expected to be the perfect Starchaser, whatever that meant. Funny how a last name forced destiny on someone.

Which meant Iona had to find out who she was. Her end goal was to find the famed Chloe Blake and learn the ways of the Wardens. Problem was, there wasn't exactly a Warden of the Sky directory. If such a thing existed, she damn well wasn't privy to that information. This meant stepping out alone, asking along hyperroutes if folks had seen the woman.

Booted feet stepped into the sprawling cityscape. Where did one even start?

 

[Dante Castillon]

As the shaky freighter began to lift off, Dante rolled from his hide-away spot in the landing gear wells, hitting the deck plate in a crouch, his duffel skittering in front of him. A port guard cocked his head to the side as he stood, brushed off his trousers and grabbed is duffel over his shoulder. Delila Castillon was harder to find than anticipated, and so he had struck out this way... It wasn't exactly reliable information, mind you. Some shady looking whipid that others might have known as Velok Brokentusk of some notoriety, had guided him here to this world by this time, and so the intrepid young con-artist had came at once.

Truth be told, he was quite cramped and nervous as the guard came over to him. But a handshake as if old friends, which left a fairly generous cred chip in the hand of the guard, and he was welcomed to the Port Royal docking bay as a one Mr. Smith. No further questions asked. Now he stood at the entrance to this particular hangar and just... Thought for a minute.

He was adrift from here on out.

 

[Aldric Varanin]

What he was never, in a million years going to expect, was to maybe run into people who were stowaways. He knew poverty happened across the galaxy and that people wanted for things, but the silver haired boy definitely had the silver spoon. His ship even had a separate chamber for his capes and clothes. The ship he had definitely had a way to pilot it manually, but he didn't know how.

Same with fixing it.

But enough of that. The big challenge now was why did he leave Eshan?

The boy was making his way to the market. The lights and sounds from the market a lot different than what he knew growing up, and being this close to a major space port? Every ship that came in had him looking up at the sky. Almost to a fault.

Definitely to a fault right now.

He'd barely made it to the center of the market to get a smell at the food stalls, his head went up with a loud whine of an ion engine and he stumbled and bumped into a larger man. Being pushed off of him made Aldric fall into the start of a fighting stance.

"Was an accident!" He stuttered out, his first-response making the other man, easily twice his size adapt a stance, though unpolished, it showed power. And based on the scars, bar fighting.

Dante Castillon Iona Starchaser

 

[Iona Starchaser]

Okay, first step : find out where spacers hang out.

Naturally, this seemed like the spaceport. Who hung around in a spaceport after being trapped inside a ship for days on end? Iona was positive some did, as evidenced by throngs of people milling about, but she needed information. Not middle aged men bemoaning the fuel price on their current planet. The most logical thing to do : follow the spacers out of the spaceport and observe their actions. A bit stalker-ish, but she was desperate right now.

Feet carried her away from the spaceport, a commotion drawing her attention as she did so.

"Was an accident!" He stuttered out, his first-response making the other man, easily twice his size adapt a stance, though unpolished, it showed power. And based on the scars, bar fighting.

Fine eyebrow raised.

"Wow, how strong of you to beat up this twig of a kid."


Aldric Varanin | Dante Castillon

 

[Dante Castillon]

From somewhat a hidden position, Dante saw the young Aldric Varanin accosted, and shook his head. A life growing up on the lean streets made him quite adept at sizing up a fight. No matter the size of the fight in the Echani, he was in for a bad time. So fishing into his duffel, he retrieved the hunk of doonium and hefted it. With regret, he eyed the scrap part and then the larger brute looming over the Echani. With a tongue stuck out the side of his mouth to help his aim, he lobbed the part. It sailed up-up-up then abruptly down as it reached the zenith of it's arc. With luck, it hit a nearby coolant pipe which hissed, rattled, and shot off a relief valve handle that connected squarely to the temple of the bar fighter right as the lovely Iona Starchaser piqued her insult. The doonium gear shot out right as the blinking as slightly confused hulk turned to her. This projectile hit the target somewhere that made Dante wince and hope the man already had children, and spring into action.

As the aggressor wheezed and hit his knees, Dante affected a crisp Core-ward accent and just... Went with the flow... The gathering crowd was looking around in doubt at the circumstances that had just came into play (a common occurrence for the young man) and he made quick work to address the Echani and Starchase scion in general terms, stating 'Instructor Cadia' wanted them 'back at the ship' and took one each under his arms, walking them quickly away as he muttered under his breath to the two.

"Just walk quick and act natural, neh? I'm Dante, your hero of the moment..."

Aldric Varanin | Iona Starchaser

 

[Aldric Varanin]

Aldric had fallen quickly into a fighting stance, ready to deal a few punches and kicks to the man much bigger than him. He identified the limp in his leg and how his body weight was shifted closer and tighter on his right side. A kick to that knee would knock him over, or at least slow him down. He had no idea how fast his reactions would be. It was still where he was going to aim for. No matter how much he was claiming it was an accident, he knew the other had an eye for going after him.

He didn't expect to have people here to support him. He didn't know anyone on Lorrd as it was.

The shout and the large piece of metal hitting the man were not what he expected at all. Aldric went from a fighting stance to a relaxed stand. As the other came over and mentioned the instructor, Aldric was green but not that green and nodded. "Oh is it time to return already?"

As he got pulled over to the man, he nodded. It was time to go. "Aldric." He murmured under the sound of everyone moving around him.

Iona Starchaser Dante Castillon

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lorrd, by far, had been her hardest starport stop. The natives were utterly impossible to fool, and she'd tried one too many times to pickpocket a few that ,at this point, she was on the local authorities radar. Something Lily did not want, but she had a burning desire to eat, so she prevailed. Keen eyes scanned the newcomers flooding in from the latest transports looking for a mark. She felt a tingle run up her spine, like she was being watched and found the eyes of the Chief of Security boring into her.

"Feth." she muttered under her breath, straightening up from the wall she'd been leaning on and moving away, knowing full well she was about to be tailed. Her stomach growled loudly drawing another swear word from under her breath. She turned a corner into the beginnings of a commotion and was about to move in an entirely different direction when the coolant pipe valve shot off, connecting fiercely with a man's temple.

Lily was an opportunist, and this was a perfect opportunity to blend, so that's exactly what she did, sweeping up behind the pair moving swiftly away from the scene, praying that the commotion would be enough to distract her tail. She caught the names uttered in low breaths. She wasn't the only one taking a chance then. Good, that meant they were all on equal playing fields.

She'd interact when necessary, when she knew it was safe to do so.

Aldric Varanin Dante Castillon Iona Starchaser

 

[Iona Starchaser]

Iona wasn't sure if she should be attracted to their 'hero of the moment' or incredibly annoyed by him. He was easy on the teenage girls eyes, a crooked smile, tall with auburn hair that fell in a casual shaggy disarray.

He seemed to have a bit of a attitude that oscillated between wannabe bad boy and genuinely warm, but perhaps also one of a jokester. Someone who could easily annoy her to no end. Not that she was going to fall for such a thing, give this guy some sense of smug satisfaction.

Then again, maybe she was judging too early, he did just save that Twig Kids neck. Hers too.

"Iona" she all but whispered. " If I hear one joke about ions between the two of you...."

This time she spoke a little louder, mainly for the benefit of keeping up a charade.

"Wonder where Instructor Cadia is taking us next. Didn't get the chance to do everything I needed for my assignment. Not looking forward to failing."

Another whisper for the two teenage boys.

"Where are we walking to again?"

Dante Castillon | Aldric Varanin | Lily Rhodes

 

[Dante Castillon]

"Anywhere but here. there's a ship I was supposed to have work on a few bays over. The Azure. Head there for now. Ran by a shifter and a wookie, they like me. I think."

Said in a rush, he spoke up louder so everyone could hear him.

"He said something about a surprise drill. So I think you're safe unless you ate a big lunch"

As the crowd focused more and more on the downed bully, Dante picked up his pace and urged his companions to do so with a jerk of his head.

Iona Starchaser | Lily Rhodes | Aldric Varanin

 

[Aldric Varanin]

The group that he found was definitely interesting. The Echani were very focused on their martial prowess and their ability to read people. His whole vibe was thrown off on this world. He was focused on the people around him again. These ones were being honest. At least the man. The other girl? He wasn't sure.

"I don't know any jokes about ions…" He shrugged and offered a half-hearted smile.

"Next time you need to make sure you hurry it up then, Iona!" Aldric laughed and shook his head. "But mine is going to be delayed too…"

Aldric made a big sigh and continued walking. "Probably on the range again, I think…" He shook his head, pouting. He preferred the martial, even in his faux persona.

When they were clear away, Aldric nodded. "Thanks for the save back there..."

Iona Starchaser Lily Rhodes Dante Castillon

 

[Lily Rhodes]

Lily walked backwards as they cleared the cacophony breathing a sigh of relief, the little scene they had cause had been enough of a distraction to shake her own pursuers. "Yeah, I'm gonna echo that thanks. You're little scene was exactly what I needed."

"I'm Lily." Now they could relax she studied her momentary companions. The first, dark hair, about her age, easy smile. She took note of somewhat dishevelled clothes, duffel bag...stowaway for sure and seeing as he was the one leading the little group, keen eyes told her this wasn't his first rodeo, probably a street kid like her. She slapped a mental 'Caution!' sticker on him and moved her eyes to the girl.

Iona had a similar dishevelled appearance but there was something about her that Lily couldn't put her finger on. Naivety perhaps? I mean who just runs along with two males strangers on a planet they've only just landed on? Stowaway yes, street kid? Not a chance. More to be learned there if she wanted.

The last one, or rather the one that had to be saved stank of money. Hell Lily would have had him as a mark any other day. He was to clean, too fresh, far too easy. Her analysis took seconds, she flicked her eyes to the direction they were heading. "Hang a right, if you keep going this way you'll be guilty by association when we pass the docks securities favourite drinking spot. And as much as more bodies mean its harder for them to catch me, this one wouldn't survive." She jerked her head at Aldric.

The right would take them out of the docks just a little further but she could guide them back round to the Azure, Dante had mentioned easy enough.

Iona Starchaser Dante Castillon Aldric Varanin

 

[Iona Starchaser]

Lose an electron? Better keep an ion it.

Another street urchin had joined their little party, an older girl named Lily. Iona hadn't noticed her until now but she supposed that was the appeal of using their little group as a distraction. Too much going on for someone to notice the girl working her way through the crowd behind them. Iona found it smart and wondered how the girl learned this - what else she could learn.

"Appreciate all the help. Shame I'll be parting ways once we get to the Azure."

Iona was still on the hunt for information about the Jedi Wardens. This was a bustling spaceport and she was confident someone could give her a nugget or two of information. Hopefully not for a lot of credits because Iona was incredibly short on those. Maybe there was something else she could do - wash lowball glasses or help steal something for more information.

Just had to find spacers. Experienced ones preferably.

"You guys know what bar all the grizzled spacers hang out at?"

Lily Rhodes | Dante Castillon | Aldric Varanin

 

[Dante Castillon]

Smiling as he let Lily take the lead, he opted for going with the flow. Intuition said if need be she could be dealt with or escaped, and his gut also said that while he couldn't trust the other urchin, she wasn't being nefarious or malignant in any obvious or outward way. As they walked, Dante swung his bag around and pulled out a dirty work cloak that reeked of engine grease and was smeared with Force knew what. Throwing it over Aldric, he bunched it just right as they emerged from a mostly deserted alley intersection back onto a busier street.

"Play it cool and hold your nose if you need to friend. She has good instincts, you stick out too much for more than surprise to make the ruse believable. Can you throw a limp into your step?"

Eyes raking around as they stood in the portal of the alley, he was as ever on watch,

Iona Starchaser | Lily Rhodes | Aldric Varanin

 

[Aldric Varanin]

Yeah, there were a number of ways Aldric could have probably have gotten a joke or two in, given enough time, but his mind wasn’t on it. What his mind was on now? The new person who had joined their little gang was getting his attention. He hadn’t seen her. How hadn’t he? Maybe life back home had made him a bit too focused on the task at hand and not the greater world around him. Aldric didn’t need to really worry when he was home about someone jumping out at him

But out here in the wilds? Perhaps.

Though he was taught to never give up his whole truth. The fact that he was from money and royalty of sorts didn’t hide well, but for those who didn’t know much about the Echani? He could sneak around very well, and put the others on their back foot very quickly. When Lily called him out for looking a certain way, and maybe not surviving a fight, he merely offered a raised eyebrow and a half-resigned shrug.

“Can’t say I do, Iona. But maybe not the one Lily just pointed out…” Aldric was not even sure what brought him here to Lorrd. Probably just the two Rs, or their unique communications style. And that it was close to the edge of the galaxy without seeming to be the edge.

But Dante seemed to be on his side? Sort of… An old cloak over the jacket. That made Aldric visibly shudder, but he understood. And with the dress of his whole stance. “Right or left leg?” The Echani grinned.

Dante Castillon Lily Rhodes Iona Starchaser

 

[Lily Rhodes]

"Grizzled spacers?" Lily laughed, turning to walk backwards a few paces to give Iona another look up and down. "Honey, whatever you're chasing can't be good." she turned back around shaking her head. "The Squealing Bantha is probably your best bet, its off the beaten track and the security avoids it. Be careful though, a pretty little thing like you will likely draw the wrong attention."

Lily kept her eyes peeled for more security, her shoulders relaxing a little as she weaved them through the crowds, keeping ahead enough of them that if they needed to split there'd be no chance of them being associated with her, but not so far she'd loose them. It also gave her the chance to work the crowd just a little. She knocked into a rodian, making a big fuss of apologising and peeling away from him, tucking his wallet into her pocket.

A little ways along she led them into an alley on their left between two food establishments. The smell was less than desirable, with rubbish piled along the walls and a drunk bothan that growled a warning at them as they passed. Lily ignored him.

Iona Starchaser Aldric Varanin Dante Castillon

 

[Iona Starchaser]

Green cheeks flushed at the mention of 'pretty little thing' as the other looked her up and down. It brought all sorts of connotations of the trouble she could easily get into by undertaking this journey on her own. Yet she had the Force and a lightsaber, that was probably better than what most girls her age had. Revealing this could create more problems, so it was wise right now to just keep quiet.

Wait, how was she even going to find the Wardens if she didn't want to talk about the Force? Probably would have been wiser to figure this out before she had left the safety of her temple. Nothing she could do about it now.

While the girl had mentioned running into trouble, it looked as if they were moving deeper into less than desirable areas. Who was to say they weren't being set up for a trap now?

'Where are we going again?"

Dante Castillon | Aldric Varanin | Lily Rhodes

 

[Dante Castillon]

"My employer is near here. He was complaining he needed more bodies to help with the job. But we need to not go directly there. So lets pick a place to waste some time at."

Watching Aldric, he smiled.

"Lets go with the left."

Iona Starchaser | Lily Rhodes | Aldric Varanin

 

[Aldric Varanin]

Aldric had no need for the grizzled spacers. The young man was looking for adventure. He was looking for heroes. He was looking to try to find himself out here, away from Eshan. The real challenge was that he had no where to go. His father gave him one or two ideas, but he felt that to find adventure meant to get out to the area of Wild Space. There were rumors of a group out there, one not dealing with any of the big governments. Maybe it was an approach that could help the homeworld.

Aldric was a bit amused by the banter between Iona and Lily. He knew neither of them from anyone else. But he was still laughing internally. To him, both of the girls were pretty. But maybe it was the fact that he was finally off world?

“Done. And what kind of job?” Aldric asked as he immediately started limping with the believeability of someone who had been in one too many rough fights where the leg was re-set incorrectly too many times.

Lily Rhodes Iona Starchaser Dante Castillon

 

[Merion Oreno]

Aldric Varanin 's comm buzzed. It was a very excited video message from his little brother Merion, a cultist of the Central Isopter, in full regalia.

"I'm sending you a rock, but it's not just any rock, it's a piece of Exegol! It's technically ore and it's from the core. You can still feel a little bit of the Maw and Jedi rituals that broke the planet, it's insane. I'm sending it to home on Eshan, don't let Mom see it."