Private Stranger in A Strange Land

[Skyler Wren]

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The battered and heavily damaged salvaging vessel, ancient by most standards, made landfall on the designated pad assigned by the docking officer. With steam bellowing from underneath and the hull, well most of the ship, riddled with scorch marks and pot shots, finally came to a rest. For a brief moment it almost sounded as if the ship herself let out a sigh or moan of relief. Inside, the crew was just as worse for wear as the ship. Once a crew of eight, not reduced to two. The other six died bravely. Skyler Wren, the captain of the beaten down vessel, knew it would be cheaper to purchase a new ship rather than repair this old bucket of scrap. Credits wasn't the issue; it was the location. He never been to Coruscant before.

"Begin tagging the bodies, Rrrok," Skyler said to the last crew member, a powerful, yet friendly Wookie he hired several months back. "I'll try to find a way to contact their families back on Mandalore from here...if possible. Also, I'll see about a new ship, I fear this one has seen its last stars." The mighty Wookie roared in agreement as the young Mandalorian headed toward the exit.

As he walked through the megalopolis of Coruscant, he couldn't shake the idea that they had been setup. Those pirates were practically sitting in ambush mode when they dropped out of hyperspace. Barely time to react, Skyler and his crew were fell upon, and it was only by luck they managed to escape, unfortunately not without causalities. Four of the six were his friends, boys he grew up with. He felt more than responsible for their passing. The other two came on board just a couple months before Rrrok. When he got back home, there was a certain older gentleman with a broken jaw in his future.

Skyler started to pass by a cantina when the thought of a few drinks to settle his nerves and help him think would be just what he needed. He entered the cantina, looked around at the layout before him seeing several unfamiliar species lounging about, then headed to the bar. "Whatcha having boy," the gruff voice of the bartender asked. "The strongest drink you have old man," Sklyer replied, feeling a bit annoyed at being called a boy. He paid for his drink, looked around again for an empty table and saw they were all occupied. As if reading his mind. the bartender nodded toward an empty chair at bar. Sighing inside, Skyler hoped this old man wouldn't strike up a conversation as he took the seat with his drink in hand.

Valery Noble
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[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Green Dress
Weapons: Lightsabers (Hidden in purse)

Valery stepped into the cantina with subtle elegance, her Keshian dress draping beautifully around her as she moved. The rich green fabric, adorned with intricate gold detailing, accentuated her figure while adding an understated sophistication to her look. Her dark hair framed her face, cascading over her shoulders in soft waves, and her amber eyes glinted with curiosity and determination as she took in the bustling crowd.

She approached the bar with unhurried confidence, her gaze steady as she ordered a drink. "Something strong, please," she requested, her tone both warm and inviting as she slipped into the cantina's atmosphere with ease. The bartender nodded and went to fetch her order, leaving her with a moment to scan the crowd for anything... or anyone... of interest. Her gaze lingered on a nearby man nursing a drink — his rugged look and the shadows beneath his eyes suggested he'd seen his share of trouble.

As she studied him, her lips curved into a slight, knowing smile. Their eyes met, and Valery offered him a friendly nod, her amber gaze keen and perceptive. She seemed at once approachable and mysterious, a woman who clearly belonged here yet seemed just out of place enough to pique curiosity.

In reality, she was here on duty — a mission to gather information about trouble in the Coruscant underworld. But to acquire information in a cantina, one had to fit in first.

A few drinks and some casual conversation usually helped.

"You look like you've seen better days," Valery observed, as she carefully sat down on a stool of her own. As she settled, she raised a hand up through her dark, wavey hair, fixing it in place with a touch of allure.

Skyler Wren ​

 

[Skyler Wren]

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Skyler held his drink, as it rested on the fancy designed bar top, with both hands, head slightly hung as he tried to figure out solutions to the problems, problems he sorely wanted to drink away. Deep down he couldn't, Rrrok was counting on him, and he really enjoyed the big Wookie's companionship to let the big lug down. He also needed sleep. Since the ambush his nerves had grown frayed, and the idea of sleep was elusive. He been in his share of fights, all but that pirate attack involved either fists or blasters, but it was the loss of the others that was weighing hard on him.

A heated argument ensued off to his left, and he barely gave it a fleeting glance; just enough however that he missed the female newcomer arrive at the bar and steal a seat. He returned to his drink and was just about to contact Rrrok when a female voice broke him from his reverie. Looking up, his eyes locked with the most beautiful girl his blue eyes ever fell upon. For a moment, he wondered if she was one of those space angels those old explorers he heard rant and rave about after several drinks danced warmly in their bellies.

Nonchalantly, he stole a gaze at the dress that was covering her body, undoubtedly hiding those exquisite features she possessed, and he had to fight back both a drool and his imagination. Finding his voice, as if this woman weaved a spell, temporarily robbing his ability to speak found the words.

"Ma'am", he said with a gentleman-like nod of his head, "Today has been one of those days you wished you never got out of bed. But I don't want to bore you with my problems. So, tell me, what brings such a beautiful lady, sorry, woman to a cantina like this? Surely your standards are higher than this lot."

Valery Noble

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[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Green Dress
Weapons: Lightsabers (Hidden in purse)


"Oh, just passing through," she said, her tone laced with a lightheartedness that softened her words, as if letting him in on a private joke. "I needed a moment to unwind after the day I've had. Thought this place would offer the right kind of distraction." She trailed off, glancing around the cantina, though her gaze quickly found its way back to him.

As the bartender returned with her drink, Valery murmured a quiet thanks, taking her time as she reached for the glass. She slipped the straw between her lush lips, taking a slow sip while her amber eyes remained locked on his, the gentle draw of her breath making her look entirely at ease despite the bustling crowd around them.

"But I could ask you the same," she replied, her gaze shifting over his rugged form with open curiosity. Her smile grew warmer, inviting him to share more, though she didn't press. Instead, she allowed her gaze to settle again, a hint of playfulness lingering as she took another sip through the straw between her lips.

"So, tell me, are you here to just unwind? Or is there more to it?"

Skyler Wren ​

 

[Skyler Wren]

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Skyler's eyes became transfixed on her luscious lips wrapped around the straw of her drink, his imagination going wild, replacing the straw with something more satisfying to her. She was much older than himself, with the lure and prospect of spending one night with her was worth the risk, and the rewards affronted him from the experience this sultry brunette could not be matched from the previous girls he danced with. Mentally he had to strike himself back to reality, as he began to feel a stirring manifesting itself below. How embarrassing he thought if she caught a glimpse.

Fighting the urge back with all the fortitude he could muster from clearing the bar of its objects, tossing her atop and investigating what hidden gems lay hidden under that green temple, he spoke as calmly as he could.

"Unfortunately, there's no great mystery why I'm here. Let's just call it wrong place, wrong time and the galaxy spat me out on Coruscant. Partially I'm here to unwind for now."

No longer caring if she caught his eyes wandering, for he wanted this woman though he knew absolutely nothing about her or who she was, explored her curves more in detail. He looked up, catching her gaze running the tip of his tongue across his lips. He did wonder one thing, how dangerous was she? Someone as beautiful as this sprite must be married, and he didn't have scrupulous with who he tangoed with, married women where a slow approach because he didn't want to ruin it for the husband.

"This is my first time to Coruscant and excuse my ignorance, I thought there would be Jedi crawling all over the place preaching their good-natured dogma. Back home, that's like a running joke. Never met one personally, and even if I did, I'm not sure we would get along. By the way I'm Skyler Wren. Can I get you another drink...and a bigger straw? And your name?"


Valery Noble

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[Valery Noble]

(void)