Once Upon a Time on Tatooine

[Rygo Ghast]

The first thing he tastes upon waking is sand. Always sand. He spits it out like he does every morning, wincing as the pair of suns blind his heavy eyes. Rygo Ghast stands up from his spot beneath a rock jutting out of the earth and stretches, facing the windswept desert plains and yawning as loud as he can, the kind of yawn that releases a whole night's worth of unrest and discomfort. All of the sudden his yawn turns into a cry-

"GOOOOOD MOOORNING TATOOOOOINE!" He yells, his voice crisp and his throat dry. It carries off the dunes and he can almost hear it echo but instead its captured by the growling wind. Rygo lowers his arms and simply admires the view for a moment. In every direction, as far as he could see, was nothing but sand. In the morning heat the desert was glowing, and the sky seemed to shift off in the distance as if alive. Rygo admired the beauty of his planet sometimes... it was just about the only thing left to admire about it.

​

​

Rygo turns back to examine his cargo resting in the shade of the rock. It's not much of a haul, but the power couplings he found should fetch for a solid meal at Odo's. At least, that's what he hopes. Last time he brought Odo a scrap heap, the old Gamorrean tried to accuse Rygo of stealing from him... and he wasn't wrong.

Every time Rygo had the chance to slip something off of Odo's shelves he took that chance. The old hog can barely see straight anyway... but if he accuses me again, I will just have to threaten to take these parts to someone else. Odo is hardly the only junk trader in Mos Eisley, after-all... just the easiest to steal from.

With a heavy sigh, Rygo takes the net's reins and begins to haul the junk down the sandy hill, leaving a trail in his wake. He needs both hands around the rope just to have the strength to pull it along, and by the time he reaches the bottom of the hill his muscles are already aching. I've been out in this desert for too long... three days at least... Mos Eisley is only a few hours away... I just... have to keep going... But then he stops, feeling the weight of the package he'd been tasked with delivering. He releases the reigns and reaches down inside his waist pockets for a small, bronze, circular device. Still there... Good. If one of the sand people got their hands on this thing while I slept... whatever it is... Who knows what the Shaden would do to me... Rygo carefully puts it back in his pocket and picks up the reigns once more, groaning at the wasteland's endless advance.

Three days ago, Rygo had met with a shady individual who claimed to be an ambassador for the Shaden Crime Syndicate. It was on Rygo's way out of Mos Espa when he heard a threatening voice call out to him and before he knew it, he was being ambushed, bound, and gagged by four thugs, all of whom much stronger than his boney and frail body could ever hope to fight off. They dragged him down an alley and into a dark den, sat him down at a table, and gave him a drink. A man dressed all in robes spoke to him and offered him a job he couldn't refuse (out of fear that they'd kill him if he tried). They never exchanged names, yet somehow this stranger knew about Rygo's exploits. There was something sinister about him that Rygo couldn't shake. Maybe it was a way he smiled with all his teeth as he handed Rygo the little bronze package, or maybe it was the way he and his goons slithered off as soon as the deal was done. Whatever it was, Rygo had a bad feeling about this job. I have until tomorrow at sunset to deliver the package. Then I get paid, and if that guy doesn't rip me off, then I might finally be able to barter my way onto a ship and get off this rock.

But first I gotta get to Odo's and unload the rest of this junk if I'm going to survive long enough to do that.

For the next few hours, Rygo trudged through the sand, climbing up and down hills and stopping only to take a breather and drink what little water he had left in his canteen. The suns are in full swing now, glaring down at him as if offended by his presence in their desert. Rygo hates them both, wishing just once they'd take a break and let the planet fall into an apocalyptic freezing winter. All his life Rygo liked to imagine what snow or rain felt like. He'd spoken to many travelers in the space ports about it, and all of their stories sounded wonderful. I'd love to visit that planet that's completely covered in snow, Hoth I think it's called. And I know there's one that's constantly raining, as if the sky is an ocean...

On Tatooine, the only ocean is the ocean of dirt...

As Rygo contemplates what snow would feel like on his face, he trudges alongside a massive wall of rock that gives him shade for a few moments. He recognizes this rock wall and knows he's close to Mos Eisley now, very close. He's been out in this desert his whole life and knows certain landmarks like the back of his hand, and he knows what to expect and what not to. Every so often he'd run into something; a wandering Bantha, or a set of footprints, or even a corpse left behind by Tusken Raiders-but very, very rarely would Rygo ever run into another person out here...

So when he heard the sound of footprints in the sand up ahead, Rygo was genuinely surprised.

 

[Seraph Sin]

[member="Rygo Ghast"]

Sand, heat, and eyes starring at the back of his head, Seraph once more questioned why he came to this forsaken planet. The Confederacy was not on his list of governments to interact with, and he had just been on one of the most beautiful water planets in the galaxy. Now, he was in the hell hole of all hell holes. Nothing about this planet was reason enough to be here, but the tram had said this was going to be a stop, and he swore he heard Dantooine, not Tatooine. He had not actually seen the scenery till after stepping out of the hangar, and feeling the dry heat smack him in the face.

With a sigh, Seraph was walking down the main street of the town called Mos Eisely. Come to think of it, he had heard pilots talk of this place, once was a big scene for criminals, sorta like a dry Nar Shaddaa he had heard them say. Even with the CIS over this planet, there was only so much one could do to change the scenery and locals. Aliens of all sorts were here, like a zoo of odds and ends.

Eventually, the Vahla found himself at a outside bar, there were a few fans directed the the patrons, and plenty drink to go around. Seraph didn't drink, but there was water, and food. Good enough.

"Water please, and whatever you got to eat that's plant based."

Seraph didn't want to know where the meat came from, it was greasy, and smelled grimy. The owner looked at him for a moment, grumbled and turned to get the order. Probably do the Seraph looking like an obvious offworlder. The coat did that, but the cleanliness of Seraph also said it. Sweat, however, was already forming on his body. Not that he mind, the fans were a strong compliment to the natural reaction his body was having to the heat.

The owner turned back to Seraph with a large mug of water, and a plate of some form of salad that looked quite fresh surprisingly. Seraph paid in full with a little for a tip, this seemed to put the owner on his better side.

"Thanks." Seraph said with a nod as reply.

 

[Aesro]

Run, run, run. Step after step the Zabrak just remembered to keep moving. One foot after another. The fact he'd made it out at all was a surprise. He was no specialist, he was barely a guard for a week before he took his chance. He'd had a ride of some kind...it died. Apparently whatever it was it wasn't made for the Tatooine's rough life. But he would not give in. He kept moving, vibro-sword barely still clasped in his hands as he kept moving.

The blood on the weapon had long since dried up. Actually there wasn't much that wasn't dried up. He was barely even sure his tongue was still the same size it was supposed to be. He'd had that problem before of course. He had been used as a labour slave for awhile. And on Tatooine sometimes that meant you got worked nearly to death. Or right to it if you were unfortunate enough.

But he refused to stop moving, he refused! He'd made it this far he couldn't stop! He knew there had to be a place soon. He knew this was the right direction. And yet...so much sand. It was a shame, he was so close. But his dry and tired eyes could barely even see at this point. He saw his feet, step, step, step, step. And little else.

Was he on the ground now. He turned his head slightly, he could see someone. He reached a hand out towards them, tried to speak, but there was barely anything that came out. He was so close to Mos Eisley that if he wasn't so broken down he could probably have sprinted there full blast on an off day and still be fine.

Today however was more an off-the-cliff day.

@ Seraph Sin
[member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Percy Vaceldau]

Tatooine. It was one of the disgusting backwater planets that I'd heard of in the past, but apparently all of that had been run out of town and cracked down on since the Confederacy took its own hold of the planet. No major slave trade, more of an underground crime syndicate rather than major like the old Hutt Cartels used to be, so that meant I'd have to know someone to get some work. But before I did this, I figured it'd be appropriate to grab a drink and take a quick smoke break.

When I stepped off of my freighter's ramp and paid the shipwright to take care of it, I looked at the holomap that was on my phone. A few interesting spots. Big cantinas, party and travel destinations, the sort. There wouldn't be any sort of smuggling jobs there, though. So I found the cheapest and most ran down cantina in Mos Eisley. That'd take me to some sort of action. Big gamblers didn't want to get caught in a popular place. Especially if they had bounties on their heads.

So, I headed there.

My exit out of the spaceport was met by a pack of a few Jawas, WAC droids, and random species I couldn't understand. Simply brushing past them, I found myself squinting my eyes to avoid the double sun. Gosh, I hated this place already.

Eventually, the sand path led me to the ran down cantina I was looking for. As I entered, the room got quiet, and then everyone continued on as the situation was in every small cantina ever. Taking a seat in the corner, I lit a cigarette, put some sunglasses over my eyes, and kicked my feet up on the table. Just waiting for something to happen.

@Aesro @ Seraph Sin [member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Rygo Ghast]

Hardly able to believe his eyes, Rygo stands frozen in the sand as the Zabrak appears before him, stumbling down the edge of a dune and collapsing to his hands and knees, breathing like he'd been running in hyper speed. Then Rygo notices the vibrosword clutched in his hand, caked in dry blood...

He doesn't know I'm here yet. I could still- before he can even finish the thought, the Zabrak's head turns and their eyes meet. The stranger reaches out toward him with his trembling, free hand and attempts to speak, but all that comes out is air. He's dehydrated... Looks like he's running from something. Rygo remains cautious and doesn't move at first, instead he glares down at the Zabrak from ten feet away, his right foot anxiously tapping the ground while his pale blue eyes scan the surrounding area for any more surprises.

All he hears is the wind howling against the wall of rock beside him, and so with a heavy sigh Rygo makes his approach. "Hey... uh, are you alright there?" He asks, trying not to sound as nervous as he felt. He'd heard tales of Zabrak around the cantinas but he'd never met one before. He's got the horns and he's got those tattoos and yellow skin... When Rygo is only a foot away he stops and hesitates. What if this is a trap? What if this guy is here to kill me and take whatever this little bronze thing is and deliver for the Shaden himself?

But then another voice in his head, a calmer voice, whispered: What if he's not? What if he just needs my help?

"Do you need some water?" Rygo asks against his better judgement and he reaches down, pulling out his canteen. The little amount of liquid left inside sloshes around loudly as he extends the canteen out for the Zabrak to take, apprehensive and ready to jerk back at any sign of the vibrosword rushing up to cut his hand off.

@Aesro
@Seraph Sin

 

[Seraph Sin]

Eating the little bits of green and a few various other colors in his bowl, Seraph believed he was actually enjoying this a bit. Sure, the heat was pretty bad, but right, at this bar? Seraph could stay for a spell. Not stay, but maybe hang out for a little, see what happens. The water was cool too, tasted pure enough. Finally, he finished his lunch before him.

Thanking the bartender, he decided to walk around for a little, see what there was to see. Not that there was, sand, tan and more sand. Why did anyone think this was a place to settle? What importance could a place so desolate have to offer? Seraph assumed there more than met one's eyes here, something underneath and hidden far away. Eyes continued to watch him, and he continued to ignore them. Seraph stopped before a small vendor offering hides filled with water that could easily be refilled and would sling onto one's back. Purchasing one, Seraph smiled at it, surely this would be helpful!

Seraph took the hide's cap end and sipped from it. Not as pure as the water before, but still cool.

Better than nothing I guess.

[member="Rygo Ghast"] [member="Percy Vaceldau"] [member="Aesro"]

 

[Aesro]

If he had the awareness to see it he might notice the boy's hesitation. But he mostly just saw that he was there. He said something to him. Asking if he was alright. Aesro tried to speak again but there was barely any movement to be had just an opening of the dry mouth and a slight turn of the head as he tried to shake it. He heard him ask if he needed water and the Zabrak's eyes lit up in hope.

He reached out a cantina and the little energy left in his body came rushing as he heard the water slosh. The hand that was so vaguely clasped on the vibro-sword completely unleashed, both very weakly, slowly, and eagerly, extending for the canteen to try and take the full contents of it into his throat. Oh water, oh how lovely it was to finally have.

It was no wonder now that the Tuskens raided moisture farms on this world. If he was this parched every day he might as well. His weakness angered him greatly but what was he to do about that but drink.

As long as [member="Rygo Ghast"] let him. He would probably drain the entire contents of the water down before finally letting out a breath, putting a hand to his head as the feeling of dehydration was still well within him. But at least he was not completely lost. "Thank...you." he finally managed with a still raspy voice, from a throat that had felt pain from going so long without water, "I thought I might die. I owe you."

What he owed him? Not really any idea. What he could pay him? Uh...not really anything. He tried to focus his eyes on Rygo, blinking as it came back to him and his breathing became slightly better. Zabraks were hardy species, and the water that was left was of a very great aid to him, "My names-"cough"-Aesro."
@ Seraph Sin
[member="Rygo Ghast"]
[member="Percy Vaceldau"]

 

[Rygo Ghast]

As soon as the Zabrak dropped his blade and drank from his canteen like a suckling babe would drink from a teet, Rygo knew his suspicions were wrong and he felt a wave of relief ease his tense and tired body. There wasn't much water left in there, and it didn't take him long to gulp it down. Rygo let him, knowing they were close to Mos Eisley, but also knowing what it's like to be so thirsty you could cut yourself just to drink your own blood.

"Thank... you..." The Zabrak says between breaths, "I thought I might die. I owe you."

At this, Rygo cracks a small smile. "Don't mention it, bud."

Squatting down, Rygo gets a better look at him, his eyes traveling up and down the zig-zagging black ink on his skin, and taking in all of his horns. Then he got a look at what he was wearing and saw the dried blood on the sword, and he wondered what could've happened to this man to make him flee all the way out here. Where was he running from? Who was he running from?

In between coughs, the Zabrak introduces himself as Aesro.

At moments like these, Rygo always struggled to find the right words to say. After surviving for so long and learning never to trust anyone on this planet, he'd made it a personal rule not to give out his name, especially to someone he'd just met, and especially to someone in such dire straights as this Zabrak. So instead, Rygo says, "Well it's nice to meet you, Aesro. It's not every day I run into someone out here in the middle of Tatooine's anal cavity, let alone a thorn-head like you. You able to stand up?" Rygo offers his hand to help him up, and as he does so says, "You know the spaceport isn't far up those hills. I'm making my way there right now, gotta deliver this junk I'm hauling. If you want, you're welcome to come along. You keep running around out here and you'll be bantha lunch before long."

Surprised by himself, Rygo hopes Aesro agrees. He had many questions for him, and perhaps this chance encounter could prove to be a fortunate break from the monotony of Tatooine life.

 

[Aesro]

Well, he didn't seem to want anything for it. That was kind of nice...or concerning. He kind of wondered how safe it was to mention his name. Not that most of the slave owners actually cared about their names. But there was the chance. Rygo mentioned not running into many people, especially "thorn heads," he'd been called worse. And he sure wasn't going to criticise. He gratefully took the hand as Rygo helped him to his feet, then explained that there was a spaceport not far away. Rygo could almost certainly see the relief in his eyes at the comment.

He also explained there was junk he was going to deliver and he could come if he wanted. Aesro smiled gratefully, "Thanks again, I think I will. I have no idea where else to go."

Maybe he shouldn't have said that either. This guy seemed younger then he was though. And he sure didn't look familiar. Still, he wasn't sure what other type of people were here on Tatooine. He'd only ever been here as a slave. And that meant he'd only ever known the most unsavory of the bunch. The Zabrak reached down managing to pick up the vibro-sword, and finding a way to slip it in his belt so it wasn't in his hands.

His clothes were old and pretty torn. But they were made to be somewhat durable. Less durable then the Zabrak perhaps, but at least they'd lasted him. Though, he did hope to get something better. He was worried these might make him...stand out. Not that Tatooine was known for fashion. But he was basically wearing raggy pants and what by now was essentially a vest. The belt was mostly intact but it also was also more recent for him. "I would want to get off this carking planet. Just hope someone around has a ship and extra room. I don't think there's even one good trait about this world."
[member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Rygo Ghast]

Rygo is glad to have the Zabrak along with him, partly because it was nice just to have company, and more importantly because he could possibly use this Zabrak. He's bigger than I am, and looks stronger than me--he could probably snap my leg in half, though my leg is basically a branch so it wouldn't be hard.

As they trudge along, he hears Aesro mention wanting to leave the planet, and how there wasn't one good trait about Tatooine. This makes Rygo chuckle lightheartedly. "You're not wrong, on the surface this planet is nothing but a dusty, greasy, cesspool. But don't count Tatooine out just yet... Sometimes, if you look hard enough, you can see beauty where there was none before. Like those two suns. Annoying, right? They're hot, they blind you, and it just sucks having two bloody suns... but when they start to set over the horizon there-" Rygo points his finger out toward the desert behind them- "There's nothing quite like it."

They come to a halt at the top of a rocky ridge overlooking a vast, white canyon where, sparkling in the distance, Mos Eisley Spaceport resides.

"There she is." Rygo grins, "Home sweet home." That was a lie. Rygo lived nowhere, preferring to sleep out under a rock than in a bed, but he didn't want to make that impression on the Zabrak just yet. Then again, it's not like this guy will judge me for it. I mean he's wearing less clothing than I am, has blood on his sword, and is clearly on the run... it doesn't take much to guess where he came from.

But how do I ask him about it? I don't want to be nosey or anything, and it's his business, not mine... Rygo looks at Aesro and asks, "Have you, uh, ever been to Mos Eisley before?"


[member="Aesro"]

 

[Aesro]

At first Rygo seemed to agree with him about the planet. Even adding in his own description. He did seem to have one good thing to find though. The sunsets. Aesro attempted to glance at them slightly wincing, "I never really noticed them." he said honestly. By that time he was usually far too exhausted to do much more then head to wherever he was required to sleep, if he had one. A sunset was barely even something he'd been able to think about.

Rygo called the place they approached home sweet home. Aesro smiled slightly, breathing in and out. He'd finally made it. Surely they wouldn't try and take him back here right? But...so long as they didn't have that remote. So long as he wasn't worth bringing back. Or killing? Ever success brought more hope. And yet fear still remained deep in his heart. At least this guy, who he realized now had not introduced himself, hadn't decided to just...kill him or something.

Course he gave him water so what reason would he have for that. Aesro looked at him as he asked if he'd ever been to Mos Eisley before, "I'm...not sure. I couldn't really pay attention when I got here." he answered. Yeah, wasn't like there was something he could pay attention to. He assumed he'd never been here. It was too big. He'd been in a windowless box along with probably a dozen other slaves.

He looked at his vibro blade realizing it was still covered in crusted blood, and began using his shoe to try and shove it off. It came off rather easily fortunately. And before they got closer, while leaving it in the belt, he pointed it outwards way from either of them, turned it on for just a quick moment and turned it off again, the blood that was on it being flung off as the weapon did it's thing. Then returned it to his side. He didn't really want to explain where the blood came from, just in case. At least not until they were inside.

"I don't suppose there's...more water somewhere?" he asked hopefully but not looking up. "Or somewhere where I can get it...I don't exactly have any money on me."
[member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Rygo Ghast]

"I'm...not sure. I couldn't really pay attention when I got here." was the Zabrak's answer, and Rygo knew what it meant. He was a slave... Damn. Those CIS bastards like to pretend like they're upholding law and order but here I am talking to a runaway slave. Rygo doesn't know what to say, and gets the feeling that maybe now might not be the best time to bring it up. After Aesro finishes cleaning his vibroblade, the pair begin their trek down the rocky cliffside. "I don't suppose there's...more water somewhere?" Aesro asks hopefully, looking down at his feet, "Or somewhere where I can get it...I don't exactly have any money on me."

"Nothing's really free on Tatooine. You're lucky you ran into me, and you're lucky I was feeling generous this morning. Anyone else down there would've taken what you had and left you for dead. There's a few watering holes and cantinas we can go to, but only after I sell these power couplings to Odo--you'll meet him too. Once he pays me I'll treat you to my favorite drink and we can get to know each other a bit more. By the way, if I'm rambling, feel free to tell me to shut up. I tend to just go on and on and on and on.... Guess it's just a bad habit of mine. Y'know, it's kinda nice having someone to talk to. Usually I just talk to myself out here--or I scream into the wind like a mad man." Rygo snickers at this, beside himself with amusement. "Hehehe, sorry. Nobody loves the sound of their own voice more than I do. Anyway, once we're down there I-"

Very abruptly Rygo stops in his tracks, and his grin falls away into dismay. "I... uh... hey, so, listen... before we go down there, there's something I want to ask you." He turns and faces the Zabrak, his eyes searching the ground wildly, trying to find the right way to put this. "So... this place we're going to, it's kind of full of really bad people--like really bad. It's a spaceport so people from all over the galaxy come here as a pit stop, y'know? Then there's the CIS who are always looking for any excuse to arrest anyone they can. So when we're down there, I need to know that you're not going to cause me any trouble or anything. I have a really important job I gotta do later and I can't risk it going sideways, y'know what I mean?" Rygo tries to sound like he's not being patronizing, but he gives the Zabrak a look that says: I know what you are and why you're running.

[member="Aesro"]

 

[Aesro]

He let out a sigh as he mentioned there wasn't really anything free. Not in annoyance at the boy he met. But just at the difficulty it meant it'd bring for actually getting more water. He had to admit though Rygo was definitely right about the fact that he was lucky on who he met. He nodded quietly in agreement at it. Then the stranger mentioned watering holes and cantina's, and selling his scrap to "Odo" perhaps there was something he could learn from that. Aesro chuckled shaking his head as Rygo said to stop him if he got rambling, "It's no bother to me." he said quietly letting him continue. It was certainly much better then the conversations he'd had for the last few years.

He seemed a good person. Or at least, a lighthearted one. Or at least an optimistic one. He had found some joy in the sunset, in a land of dry land and air, and unsavory people. Rygo stopped and Aesro furrowed his brow only going a step more before stopping and turning to look at him as he began speaking in a more serious tone. Explaining the place they were going wasn't great either, the types of people who were there, and the way the CIS enforced the law, or over-enforced.

But more importantly Rygo finished with saying he needed to be sure Aesro wouldn't cause any trouble. And Aesro realized that even though he hadn't outright said it, what he had said had definitely let Rygo know what he was. For a moment he got concerned, but then, it was actually somewhat of a relief. Because if Rygo knew, and chose to make this statement. Then it seemed unlikely that he had any malicious plans.

Aesro nodded, "I'll keep to myself and try not to upset anybody. I don't want trouble any more then you do. Probably less." he answered, taking in a breath, there wasn't really much reason to hide anything, "Thank you, really. I'll do my best to not be any more of a problem to you. I just...really need to get out of here."
[member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Rygo Ghast]

His promise was enough and Rygo lit up once more. "Great! Then we should get along like two droids in an oil bath. Believe me, I want to get off this rock too... I've been trying for years..." In that moment, Rygo considers telling Aesro about his plan involving the job for the Shaden, but decides now isn't the time. "Just follow my lead while we're down there. You'll probably stand out, even amongst all the different species, not many Zabrak come around here. But stick with me and you'll be fine. I got dirt on a lot of folks and I know a lot of important people." This was also a lie. Rygo knew of the important people, sure, but he'd never met them, nor did he want to.

Rygo continues along with Aesro until they reach the bottom of the rocky cliff and begin walking across the last stretch of desert just outside of Mos Eisley. Sweat was cascading down his brow and dripping into his eyes, but Rygo didn't care. His muscles ached and his legs wanted to quit out from under him, but still, he didn't care. Rygo pressed onward, and the closer he got, the more determined he became. Soon they could hear the bustling of society, the whiz of a speeder driving by, the grinding of metal as droids meandered about, the heavy footsteps of CIS soldiers patrolling, and the even heavier footsteps of Rontos carrying passengers slowly down the sandy streets.

​

"Welcome to Mos Eisley, my friend." Rygo says to the Zabrak in-between heavy breaths. "Odo's shop is just down the road a ways." He points to where he's talking about. Just in the distance he spots Odo's small, beige hut sticking out like a sore thumb between two much larger buildings. "Odo is a bit of a grump. Likes to talk a lot of trash to everyone that comes to him looking for a trade. He's the kind of guy who assumes you're lying and you gotta prove him wrong-then he'll do business with you. But he's also a liar, too, and if you let him trick you he will run with it. But don't be intimidated, he's a big softy at the end of the day. Just stay quiet and stay behind me, and if he tries to talk to you, just act like you're too dumb to talk. Got it?" Rygo was pretty sure Odo didn't have any connections to the underworld, and even if he did there's not much Odo could do with the CIS troops everywhere you look. "After that we'll hit up that watering hole I mentioned, it's just around the corner from here. Just don't eat the salad. The locals all know this, but they like to dress it with Bantha semen to prank any off-worlders. An hour later and they'll be expulsing their guts in an alley--and I do mean all of their guts. It ain't pretty-"

As they're passing by a young man drinking from a hide near a kiosk selling hides of water, a very large and hairy, blue Rodian bumps into Rygo, shoving him aside like he's nothing more than garbage in the wind. "Ookcha Teekcha Pudu!" The Rodian curses at him in a deep, alien dialect that Rygo doesn't understand. He never bothered learning any languages other than the common tongue, but he could hear the contempt in the alien's tone and fired back with, "You watch it, Roach-Face! I'm walking here!" Usually that would be the end of it, but the Rodian must've been having a bad day because that was all it took for him to stop, turn around, get in Rygo's face, and say, "Daka nor blatta, genjisa na, ho ho ho." and then lift up one of his booted feet and, without hesitating, stomped it down on the net full of power couplings Rygo was dragging. The sound of crunching metal accompanied a few sparks flying out from under his boot, and Rygo's face goes pale and livid with rage.

"You're gonna pay for that, Roach." He growls, dropping his reigns on the junk and leaping over it. This is stupid. He thinks, but his body is acting on it's own. Compared to the Rodian, Rygo is half his size. The alien sees him coming and laughs a deep, irritating laugh.

Rygo knows he doesn't have the strength to fight this guy, but his pushes his hands into this adult alien's chest with all his might, bracing himself as if he were about to slam into a wall--

Yet somehow, as if with strength beyond his own, the Rodian is thrown backward off his feet, stumbling with an audible gasp of wind, arms flailing, right into the hide stand, spilling water everywhere. He collapses in a heap, heaving and coughing on his back. There's several shocked gasps from onlookers in the crowd as well as a distant cry of some CIS trooper calling out, "Hey, what's that commotion!?"

Rygo can hardly believe it. It had all escalated so quickly. Did I really do that?

The now soaked Rodian thrashes about on the ground, fighting the mountain of hides he was covered in and cursing like a wild Tusken Raider before a kill. Blinking rapidly, Rygo turns to Aesro and grabs his wrist. "C'mon, let's go before the CIS shows up. Help me carry this junk to Odo's."

​

[member="Seraph Sin"]

 

[Aesro]

Aesro smiled in return as Rygo seemed quite happy with the response and mentioned he had been trying to leave for years as well. Kind of comforting. Then mentioned how here Aesro might stand out, apparently Zabraks weren't too common here. Or at least ones like him. He hoped that didn't mean he was going to attract a ton of attention, if only he'd had a hood or something, no that'd be pointless. A helmet of some kind would be more effective. But he had none and had no intention of trying to steal one either. So stay behind and stay quiet.

Finally they were getting closer, and again Aesro felt a surge of hope in his body. Every success pushed him just a bit further along, to make it to the next checkpoint of sorts. Odo's shop was about what one might expect in a place like this, and with a name like that. Incredibly simple, somewhat small, and with basic colors. The description of Odo too didn't exactly sound very inviting, The addition of him being a "big softy" at the end of the day didn't exactly smooth it over much. When Rygo suggested he play dum, Aesro responded with an intentionally poorly pronounced,
"Dou
tzeamu
?" Which should have meant "What mean?" except for the considerable slurring and confounded face he added to it. Before smiling, and giving a thumsb up. if Zabraks were uncommon here. It was unlikely Odo knew Zabraki. And even if he did, the slurring and pronunciation of it was so terrible that it was likely he might not even understand what he said anyway.

That wasn't all to know though, apparently the cantina's were not the most trustworthy when it came to salad. Made his stomach churn at the thought of what Rygo said they could do. He would avoid anything with any kind of sauce or possible similair substance in that case. The explanation was cut short as him and a Rodian ran into each other. There was at first a short ensuing angry words and then the Rodian stomped on the scraps Rygo intended to sell, Aesro looked to him to see if he should intervene but
before he saw much else the Rodian was getting shoved down with his water, the water being what made Aesro a bit upset. And now there was trouble. His eyes shot towards the direction he heard the CIS come from.

Rygo rushed him to pick stuff up which Aesro was quick to do, before the two shot off, Aesro breathed in and out deeply, still wanting something more to drink but refusing to stop here, "Well guess it wasn't me who ended up getting attention started. I really hope those parts are ok." he said glancing down at them, he really didn't know what they were but he imagined it'd be worth far less to Rygo if they were damaged, "Tatooine Enfa" [Zabraki: Tatooine Scum].
[member="Rygo Ghast"]

 

[Seraph Sin]

[member="Rygo Ghast"] @Aesro

While there wasn't much going on around these parts, Seraph had started to guess that this little backwater planet was as calm and collected as could be for such a place. Maybe the Confederacy did that to place? He shrugged to himself as he was walking. He had been walking aimlessly for a while, just looking at the places. He had been passed by an very unlikely duo, seemed odd enough to him, but then again he didn't know what qualified as odd. Seraph was certain he was odd, so maybe he was just judgmental. He sighed and leaned against a unoccupied wall.

A few moments passed, there was a commotion, yelling and slurs..Seraph didn't speak some the muffled languages. He didn't really understand what was going on so he moved to the sounds. Curious more than anything. That was until he bumped into a white haired guy holding the wrist of a pointy headed man. A Zabrak? Then it came together, the duo was from before.

"OOF!"

He said as he fell to his butt.

 

[Rygo Ghast]

"Well guess it wasn't me who ended up getting attention started. I really hope those parts are ok." He heard Aesro say as they quickly gathered up the net full of parts and cable. A spark soars out from it, nearly catching Rygo in the eye. Then the Zabrak says, "Tatooine Enfa" and Rygo, who doesn't understand other languages, interprets that as an insult towards him, until he sees the scowl on Aesro' s face aimed at the Rodian scrambling around on the ground. Rygo grunts as he piles what he can into his arms, grateful for the help but his mind racing with worry over what that roach had done to his hard-earned scrap. He looks back at Aesro and pants, "Hey, it wasn't my fault! That guy had it coming, he bumped into me! I'm always watching where I--OOF!"

As if the scene couldn't get any worse, in their hurry Rygo had walked straight into someone else. Being the small, sixteen year old boy that he is, Rygo crashes onto the dusty earth with the net breaking free and spilling half of the contents all over the road. Meanwhile, not fifteen yards away, an armored CIS soldier is hurrying through the bustling crowd to find the source of the disturbance, yelling and pushing bystanders out of his way. Then there's the Rodian who has managed to find his way back up on his feet, soaked from head to toe. His bulging, black eyes have found Rygo, entangled in power couplings.

Rygo, dazed and confused, is unaware of either of the threats approaching.

Instead he's frantically trying to disentangle himself from the wires and ropes. When he's finally free of them he glares at the stranger he'd ran into, as if it were his fault this happened. Before he can open his mouth and start blaming the stranger, several on-lookers gasp as the Rodian comes lumbering up from behind the unsuspecting Rygo, his hands outstretched, reaching for his neck--

"Stop right there!"

The Rodian freezes as the CIS soldier finally reaches them, aiming an E-11 blaster rifle, though he alone was having trouble picking a target. Rygo freezes as well from his place on the ground next to the young man he'd stumbled into. Rygo looks up at Aesro, who was left holding half of the junk, and who was also having the blaster rifle aimed at him even though he'd done nothing wrong. "What's going on here?" The CIS soldier, his face hidden behind a black/purple helm, asks in a deep, commanding tone as his aim shifts from Aesro to the Rodian, then down to Rygo and the stranger beside him.

The Rodian speaks frantically before Rygo can even muster up the strength to respond, and of course he doesn't understand a single word of what the Rodian says but he's sure it's dripping with lies. The CIS soldier appears to understand what was said, however, as he nods his head and settles on aiming his blaster at Rygo. "Alright you, and you with the horns, you're both coming with me."

 

[Aesro]

Aesro heard [member="Rygo Ghast"] responding defensively and crashed right into yet another causing more of the scraps to fall along with Rygo, though Aesro still felt like apologizing, "I wasn't blaming you I was talking about the bug eye." he managed trying to figure out how to help him only for the Rodian to start coming for them, Aesro's hand went for the hilt of his vibro-sword but the Rodian was stopped as a CIS soldier called at them.

Aesro's heart began beating faster. What would happen if they take him? What would happen if there was someone with a remote? Could remotes detonate the chip he had? Could the soldier be bribed to turn him back to the slavers? He tried to remain calm as the soldier turned the weapon between them and the Rodian began spouting in a language Aesro wasn't familiar with. Didn't mean he didn't have some idea of the possibilities.

The Soldier though seemed to think he understood. And it was that which had the blaster aimed at Aesro and Rygo. Aesro's blood ran cold and his eye twitched with worry. Can't let the slavers get to him. Can't let them find him. Can't get caught. He had to speak fast, he had to do something. But no words came out. He hoped Rygo had something to do. His heart felt like it was going to rip out of his chest.

Act. Do something. Say something. "He's hiding a slave, I saw it over his holo before he chased us!"

What the crap? That's not true! Keep it together pretend you know what you're talking about. BUT I DON"T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Aw cark I've screwed up! I've screwed up so bad! He thought.

He kept his eyes focused on the Rodian, watching for his movements, he just hoped his lie would be enough to get time or some chance to run or something. He paid little attention to the man that Rygo ran into he just didn't have the time.

[member="Seraph Sin"]

 

[Seraph Sin]

Rubbing his side, Seraph stared at the young man before him, feeling bad. "S-s-Sorry." He said in the most hushed tone, a new form of sweat beading across his forehead in anxiety. Seraph just had to bump into someone. But that wasn't the worst part. Now there was a soldier with a blaster pointed at them and a Rodian coming to them. Orders were being issued, but Seraph was so confused by then that his anxiety was really kicking in. There was talks of slaves and all sorts of stuff he had nothing to do with.

Then without missing a beat, there was a new flashback, something he had never seen before. There was no violence, but a simple conversation, a silver tongued rogue. But it was over as quickly as it started. And with the end of the flashback was the end of anxiety.

"Well...I can assure you solider, what the Zabrak speaks is true. I come from the Silver Jedi on a small mission of fleeing slavers from our own space. I'm afraid to say it's moved into Confederacy space. I'm an investigator for the Silver's." Seraph was now speaking with confidence, even went as far as to flash the saber he had in his jacket in front of the soldier. "These guys simply ran into this Rodian who's a suspect...and his hostility towards them seems to prove that he has more to do with these slavers than being a suspect. Could you possible help me arrest this man and I will take him off your hands...I'm sure you dont want to go back to your superiors and have to deal with paperwork dealing with slaves...considering it's illegal in CIS space."

@Aesro @Rygo Ghast

 

[Rygo Ghast]

Rygo was lost and didn't know what was happening anymore. He'd heard Aesro try to lie and instantly thought that such a rediculously ill-crafted lie would never work on a CIS trooper. We're done for now.

But then the stranger he'd ran into spoke up, and Rygo was struck dumb by the confidence with which he spoke. Not only was he lying for them, but he was claiming to be here to free slaves, on a mission from the Silver Jedi Order... or is that another lie? Of course it is. He's only a few years older than me from the looks of it. Though his clothes aren't tattered and covered in dirt, so he's definitely an off-worlder... Who is this guy?

Then Rygo witnessed the flash of metal as the man revealed his saber.

The Rodian, who stood there drenched in water and steaming with rage, screams "Gohla ochiso ma kasalingua!" and spits down on the ground next to Rygo's hand. But the soldier had seen the saber too. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking behind his helmet... Still, the Rodian argued, kicking his feet in the dirt, screaming unintelligibly. Everyone in the area had stopped walking to watch the scene unfolding before their eyes. Rygo was still at a complete loss for words for once in his life. He felt like if he moved he might be shot. He'd never had a run-in with the CIS quite like this before.

The stranger says, "Could you possible help me arrest this man and I will take him off your hands...I'm sure you dont want to go back to your superiors and have to deal with paperwork dealing with slaves...considering it's illegal in CIS space."

The CIS soldier glances from the stranger to the Rodian and says, "You're right."

A flash of red light almost blinds Rygo as the rifle ignites with an ear-splitting blast. There's screams from more than a handful of citizens in the crowd. A cloud of dark smoke appears from behind him, followed by the sound of someone falling down to the ground. Rygo turns his head and finds the Rodian laying on his side, the trail of smoke rising out of a hole in his belly.

The CIS soldier lowers his rifle with an annoyed sigh before turning back to face the stranger. "Rodian scum. He's always giving me and the boys a headache. Figures he'd be a bloody slaver. I'll have one of the droids take care of the body. Saved us both some paperwork. Move along, all of you." With that the soldier turns and leaves. Everyone in the crowd behind him makes sure to move as far out of his way as possible, clearly afraid. Rygo hears him speaking to the radio on his wrist, calling in a clean-up crew.

Rygo can only hear his heart beating in his ears as he struggles to stand up. When he does, he glances down at the Rodian's corpse again, feeling guilty. Even though he was a jerk, he didn't deserve to get blasted like that... he wasn't no slaver either... Rygo shoots a suspicious look towards the stranger, taking in his jet black hair and off-color eyes with increasing unease.