Riven Black
Current of the Wind
Region: Mid Rim
Sector: Hutt Space
System: Y'Toub System
Moon: Nar Shaddaa
Time: 14:55:36
Location: Duros Sector
Night Time, Rain
The rain was unrelenting, droplets of water slamming into the ground with a thundering clap. The puddles that began to form gave a home to the reflections of the neon signs above. The bright lights had always been a major feature of the Duros Sector. It was a place of filth, not just because of the poor, but the hidden agendas of the tyrannical. Crime, it was everywhere, from the cafe corners in the Upper Promenade, to the Undercity below. Branching out from the busy pathways of the sector, alleyways provided a home for thieves and addicts. Criminals walked among the crowds; killing, selling, buying, and abusing. It was always like this, nothing ever changed, just like war, crime was all the same.
It wasn't exactly where he planned to end up, but he did. Having to depend on the traveling routes of others made it difficult to find ways to the outer rim. Rarely, if ever, could he find someone to take him there. Instead of worrying about the awful weather, he needed to relax. His daily practices in the arts of his people were no longer necessary, not after he spent hours on the way to Nar Shaddaa, training his forms. The rain drenched him and walking through the crowded streets meant dangerous encounters, if unlucky. His brown hair stuck to his forehead, the rain slid off of his bangs, falling to the ground.
He felt bad for the beggars as he passed the bright colored district, signs blinking and glowing, as if to attract him to guilty pleasures. The wind picked up, a familiar breeze of the cold night enticing him as he continued forward. The loud conversations throughout made Riven alert, some screaming over bad deals. The place was truly a pit of anger and despair. The smell of fried foods reached him, his stomach tangled at the thought. Hunger was something any man couldn't resist.
Riven turned, the white steam reached the air as stools were presented under the cover from the rain. The bright green sign blinked in a monotonous pattern. His hazel eyes read carefully.
Vil'Nar Dragmek
The name was unique and nothing about the tiny restaurant seemed to bother all the others sitting about at the counter laid before them. Riven stepped forward, his light skin finally showing in the warmth of cover. The tiny roof, prevented more rain from drenching him. One stool was left, it was his lucky day. The sizzling that filled his ears reminded him of a boiling flow of lava, back on Kro Var. Taking a seat he grabbed the small parchment to his left, scanning for something quick.
A young Twi'lek rummaged through the visible kitchen, glass seperating her from Riven. Her skin was a dark tint of green, and her lekku hung to the front of her left shoulder. She stared at him for a moment, sliding a glass to the man next to him. She grabbed a writing device and smiled.
"Hello, know what you want?" she said, clearly in a rush.
"What are you guys frying back there?" Riven asked, tossing the menu to the side.
"Fried Crispic. Three per order. Is that what you would like?"
"Sure." Replied Riven. As she went to turn away, he rose his voice. "A drink to, anything will do."
The Twi'lek scurried off as she squeezed through the two chefs and punched in the order. For a little, hole in the wall, kind of place, they were busy. This made Riven excited, trying new things and experiencing the galaxy's many offers always made him happy. He leaned forward, his elbows soaking the counter.
"Hey, pal, you mind?" Asked the husky man beside him.
"I'm sorry, what did I do?" Riven asked, as the guy pointed to the wet spots on the counter. "Oh, sorry about that. I didn't realize it was happening."
"Don't worry about it, I was just messing with ya. The names Tahm, you look like a tourist, better be careful around here. Turns out there are quite a few competitors tonight."
"Competitors? For what?" Riven asked.
"Don't ya know?" Tahm questioned, realizing Riven clearly was in the dark. "The tourney, it's being hosted by some new oddball. Turns out he's paying a pretty penny to the victor. Only problem is, it's causing a lot of problems round' here. Notorious Bounty Hunters, Sith, Jedi, hell; even Mandalorians came out for it. I can't wait."
"Forgive my rudeness, nice to meet you Tahm. My name is Riven. Riven Black." He said it with a smile, meeting new people was beginning to become one of his favorite things. "So you are competing to?" Riven was inquisitive, the thought of a tournament seemed neat.
Before Tahm could answer the Twi'lek slid him his drink and a hot platter of long, breaded rolls filled his plate. The crispy texture was a golden brown, the sweet smell of a honey glaze reaching him. He lifted the dark liquid filled cup, and drank. The carbonated tickle made him gulp, flushing his dry throat. The taste was fruity, an orange slice floating at the top. As much as he wanted to dive into his meal, he looked back at Tahm.
"Looks good." Tahm said, trying to think of what Riven had asked him before. "Ah, me? No too old, the bones don't work like they used to. I'm going for the bets, the money to be made on those fights is crazy, at least they better be, five hundred credits just to get a seat in there."
It slapped him hard in the face, the thought of gambling made him giddy. Losing credits was an understatement when it came to playing card games and Dejarik. Riven had traveled the galaxy for only a few years and was hooked on the concept. He'd bet a wad of credits, just for the rush it brought him. This could have been the break he was looking for. While fighting wasn't really his thing, betting on himself would mean decent credit flow. His eyebrows lifted, a sly smile reaching his face.
"Tahm, you and I are going to get along just fine." Riven said, diving into his meal. With a small burp, he continued. "Where do I sign up?"
Tahm was puzzled, a scrawny man like Riven wouldn't last a few seconds in the pit. Regardless, Tahm considered the thought. He could always bet against him for a sure win. Tahm smiled, a schemer at the heart of it.
"After you finish I'll bring you there, deal?"
Riven devoured the meal and sighed.
"Delicious, thanks for the food." Riven said as he waved to the cooks and the Twi'lek that served him.
***
A few hours later...
Tahm motioned him forward after talking with the officer, the gun firmly held in the guard's hands like a machine refusing to let go of product. Riven walked forward stepping onto the platform, a loud hum fired up. The two of them descending into a darkened area. A small blue luminescent light, peered out from the distance. The platform locked into place as it touched down onto the metal floor below. The stench was almost unbearable, the rot that grew here was in its own category. It brought shivers to him, the thought of the impoverished residing here made Riven conflicted.
"Whatever you do, don't help the poor round here, the Hutts will kill ye." Tahm said, his voice growing sturdy.
Riven walked by them, dirty, hungry, wounded, and suffering in the clutches of the darkened world engulfing them. It was an unfortunate circumstance and if Riven had it his way, he would help them. Clearly that wasn't a choice. Tahm stopped, turning into a brightly lit area. Riven followed, his eyes widened at the sight. Bright lights and a giant structure greeted them. The entrance to the building was spotless, like a different world from which they had emerged. Spotlights turned back and forth, displaying the banner above.
The Crucible
The name was simple, but held truth. The competitors would be challenged with difficult adversaries. The thought of running into a crowd of Sith and Jedi in the same place was puzzling. Then again, if someone told Riven years ago, he'd be anywhere but Kro Var, he would have laughed. Tahm patted him on the shoulder and pushed him forward.
"Good luck, kid." Tahm said, walking away as he waved in a nonchalant way.
"You too, Tahm."
It was all up to him now, signing up for a tournament wasn't really a hobby of his. Either way, he needed the credits. Taking the last steps the doors became ajar, sensors activating as he reached the inside. Crowded, almost too crowded. It was insane, everyone one that was in the room was geared to the throat. Helmets, armor, guns, lightsabers, knives, you name it, someone had it. Pushing his way through the crowd he reached one of the representatives. A human male, handing out sheets of paper and a pen.
"Sign up now!"
The group of competitors swarmed the counter, snatching every last one of them. The man looked at Riven, as he accessed the computer.
"You there, you going to fight? If so, I need your name and fifteen-hundred credits."
"Alright, Name is Riven Black. Here." Riven stated, handing the man behind the counter a metallic card. "That should cover it."
"Here you are sir, remember the matches will be posted before midnight tonight. Also, please read the rules on the floor above. And...Good luck!"
Riven grabbed the small, square shaped, emblem from the guy. The number Seventy-Three glaring at him. Riven wasn't sure what to make of it all, the thought of fighting other dangerous people like himself, made Riven nervous. Regardless, The Crucible wouldn't start for another two hours, this gave him time, time to prepare.
Riven could feel the currents of the wind, its embrace comforting him as he smiled.
This should be fun...
[member="Odin Terrowin"]