The Dead and Those Searching

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

”At the time it was called Harowth.” Val answered simply. ”Though it’s changed it’s name since then.”

The memory was a fond one, at last for him. ”The pirates were the Black Nexu. A band that pulled most of its people from mercenaries left over after one war or another. They raided the port for supplies, but when they realized no one was really fighting them they decided to take it over.”

He shrugged.

”I killed their leader.” Val made it sound almost nonchalant, as if doing so had been as simple as walking down a hallway. ”They scattered after that and the Hutt who controlled the station was able to rally enough Mercenaries to take it back.”

In truth, the entire encounter had not been very heroic.

He had been staying at the station, or rather, drinking at it, when the leader of the Black Nexu, a Twi’lek named Nir’rall had interrupted him in the cantina. Val had been too inebriated to even realize what was going on at the time, and thus when the man had threatened him...well things hadn’t worked out well for the Twi’lek.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

Harowth. The name didn't sound at all familiar to the Changling. She ruminated over the story while she gestured for Val to follow her. Time to go out into the station itself.

"Where was it located at?" she followed up with another question. In the back of her mind the woman was starting to see that Val had a very bloody past. A bit too bloody. He was okay with simply killing anyone that seemed to get in his way or do some wrong. Great, so i'm here with a murderer.

But everyone was a murder one way or another. Ryssa wasn't innocent of it either. She had plenty of blood in her hands throughout the years. Some in self defense. Others in cold blooded vengence.

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

”It’s in the outer rim.” He told her, his eyes closing for a moment as they walked.

Then he began to blurt out a string of hyperspace coordinates.

The letters and numbers would probably be instantly recognized by Ryssa, not for their exact location, but for what they were. ”That’s the coordinates. Couldn’t tell you what’s near it. Except maybe Exocron.”

Again it was glaringly obvious that Val had never really studied a star map. He could only give estimations. He knew for instance that Exocron was a days hyperspace travel away from the Shadowport, and that was really all that he could say on the subject. Though he had lived for so long, certain things simply hadn’t been priorities.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

Ryssa's cerulean face scrunched up in surprise then confusion. He was an odd one. She was able to catch that they were coordinates right away, just not where until he mentioned Exocron. Did he not know how a star map worked?

"You spend a lot of time over there?" she asked, her saunter taking her down towards the lounge and then past the ever mysterious cargo bay. The airlock hatch was up ahead where they would be able to disembark.

"Moross Territory that is?"

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

"Enough." Val said simply. "The people are kind, willing to take in outsiders as long as you listened to them preach every now and again."

Most of them had never been pushy with their religion, just...well over enthusiastic. There were the Crusaders of course, the men whose armor he'd worn, but they were...well they were somewhat different he'd found. A shrug rolled over his shoulders. "Good people."
That was really it to Val.

He liked traveling, and Moross space had always been friendly. His curiosity had always been sated there, and the people had been kind enough to keep him fed. He couldn't really ascribe any other reason to it. He wasn't religious, nor did he believe that the God's of Moross were actually living deities, but the people there...well they had really been the miracle.

It was enough.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

"Yeah well, some say it was alright during the time of their Gods." She added, the hatch opening up with a hiss and lowering the ramp. "But who knows how valid that may be. "

A wall of scents would slam into them both. Fried food, sweet soda, and charred electronics cut by the stench of piss and excrement. Music along with the wail and noise of bustle was like nails to a chalkboard. Ryssa gesture towards the bright lights and neon glow of the shadow ports entry.

"Welcome to Das k'no w'ere." She added, raising her voice so that he could hear her over the chaos.

"If there was a place you'd get red meat if anything it's here." She said as she turned to him, taking a few steps backwards.

"I just wouldn't be to picky about from what or whom it comes from. "

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

"I don't have any money." He reminded her.

There were the blasters back on the ship, but Val didn't particularly feel like going all the way back for them in order to trade. Plus they might need them later, and while he disliked Blasters, he knew very well that they were quite useful.

"Let's just go meet this Collector." Val told her. "We can pick up food later."

It was clear that he had returned to being quite eager. Though the man had a silly name, Val was always quite excited to learn new things, and this? Well this just sounded like an opportunity to learn a whole new host of things. Especially if what Ryssa had said earlier was in any way true. He smiled down at her, peering over the crowd that lay before the two of them and bidding for her to lead the way. This station was completely foreign to him.

Hopefully she knew her way.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

Ryssa gave a small shrug of her right shoulder. They'd be passing by the food stallls soon enough.

"Alright."

Landing on the deck of the landing pad, Ryssa turned to her ship and gave a few taps of her wrist pad. The holographic display gave a small beep and the ramp closed shut behind them, a small indicator light coming to light to flash on and off in a warning of the sonic alarm.

"Not like a credit or two won't get you some form of mystery meat on a stick." As much as it could make anyone's skin crawl, some of the stall food was actually pretty good. Again, if one doesn't ask questions.

Their path would take them past a boisterous cantina. A bith and orlotan band played a saucy jig while various vendors promoted their wares.

"Get your Nerf steaks!"

"Verpine shatter guns! Good as new!"

"Knives! Come get your knifes! Discounted only today!"

Weaving through the crowd was a bit hard for Ryssa. At her height she had to shove and weave her way through. For val, well, big guy had a tendency to split the crowd.

Ugh. He so was not the person to be around for a low profile.

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

She was right in that thought. The idea of Val keeping a low-profile was about as likely as him being able to sneak through a china shop. It simply wasn't going to happen. He was too big, too bulky, and in all honesty just a bit too...well uncaring. Val didn't need to sneak, he didn't need to be subtle. He carried himself like a Knight, a warrior. His shoulders were back, his spine was straight, and his eyes watched those around them like a hawk searching for prey.

It sent out a certain signal, a simple saying that nearly everyone within their path read quite easily. 'Don't kark with me'.

They stepped aside for him, moving so that no one even came near him. They wandered through the crowd with no issue, though nearly everyone gave him a second glance. Even a few of the aliens watched the monstrously tall humanoid parade through the crowd, though their expressions made it seem like they were more amused by the others reactions than impressed by Val himself. He smiled at the few that grinned, as if knowing well what they were thinking.

His eyes wandered, then they eventually found their way into a side tunnel.

Val wondered briefly exactly how much of this station The Collector owned, or if he was simply a mainstay.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

​

They finally made it to the Tower. Neon lights, a crowd to spare, and enough glistaweb smoke billowing from the scattered distra dispensers that surrounded them. It was every much a cantina as it was a casino. At least, as much as one could expect this far into the black.

"Keep close." never thought I'd say that, Ryssa mused, but it was for the best. If anything Val could pretend to be a heavy hitter for hire. Thank goodness he was no longer wearing her Jodi and the Blowfish pink band shi---

"Where is my shirt?" she suddenly asked, as if that dawned on her at the last minute. Which it did. Her head had swiveled around and tilted up to catch Val's face.

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

He frowned. Val had rather forgotten about the bright pink shirt over the last few days. His mind pulled back towards it for a moment. He remembered changing back at the old store, but also remembered carrying the old shirt back, mostly because he hadn't wanted to leave something like that with the old man. A lightbulb went off in his head as he finally remembered what he had done with it.

"It's in my room." Val had been using it as a pillow.

The singular one that she had given him had been far too soft and hadn't given him enough support for his neck, thus he'd taken the shirt, balled it up, and used it as a secondary means of support while he slept.

Val wasn't picky when it came to sleeping arrangements. He'd slept on cave floors with no pillows at all, but that didn't mean he wouldn't take action when opportunity knocked, and here...well the opportunity had definitely been there. Why not be comfortable when you had the option? Sleep was important.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

"Oh okay." it was a rather silly question to ask in light of far more serious consequences facing them. However, it was one of her favorite shirts and to be honest, a break in the silence. The silence between them at least. Not like the casino cantina around them wasn't blaring enough noise to drown out any conversion.

A clink of glass from patrons drinking. The roaring yell of a winning hand. These were all that surrounded them as Ryssa led them towards the back of the vast circular hall. There were several acceleration couches with red velvet coverings. A few Gand, Houks, and Trandoshans were seated there with their female flight of fancy for the day. A woman could make good money working out here in the boonies. Demand for quality was high, and at times when one spent more than six months to eighteen hauling items from one end of the Kathol Sector to Demonsgate, companionship was few and far in between.

One Gamorran and a Herglic guarded the door. Ryssa came to a stop and gave a half smile. They glowered at her. When they caught Val, the glower turned into a full scowl.

"I just need you to pass up a message, that's all." she held up her hands to show she wasn't packing any.

"Could you do a girl a favor and tell the Collector Ryssa's come to call? I'm looking to trade."

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

Val stayed quiet.

Gammorreans weren't very common where he was from, though he'd met one once or twice before. They were ugly things, both inside and out. Most of the time they were only happen when inflicting violence upon something else, and even then it was hit or miss whether it was because of the violence itself or because of the harm that they were inflicting.

Val didn't like them.

He was a killer, true enough, he would admit that to anyone who asked, but he didn't take any joy in it. There wasn't a sadistic satisfaction that rained through him whenever he killed someone, with Gammorreans? Well that wasn't so true. At least the ones that he met. Perhaps he shouldn't have classified them all in one fell swoop, but...out here, the ones that worked as mercenaries, he felt pretty safe in making the assumption.

The creatures looked at him, and he looked back.

It was clear that they saw him as a threat.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

A deep grumble and snort came from the Gamorrean. He puffed out his chest and pointed a thick, chubby finger at Ryssa -- all the while keeping his beady black eyes on Val.

"What - snort - do you need Him for?" it was hard to discern if he meant The Collector or Val? Gamorreans weren't really known for having all their pistons shooting well in that grape of theirs.

"Uhh..." don't look at Val. Don't look at Val.

"Because I've business to trade in." she made herself stand straight, tilting her head back to stare right at the Gamorrean in the eye. She then immediately swiveled her head over towards the holocamera watching them.

"Can you tell your guards to back off and just let me in?!"

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

Val stayed quiet.

He felt that any word from him at this point would just make the whole situation worse. He had to let Ryssa lead here, otherwise things would quickly go south. So instead of opening his mouth, Val simply stood back a little bit behind Ryssa.

When one of the piggies looked at him, he slowly crossed his arms.

Playing the thug was fairly simple for Val, He was tall enough to intimidate most men and women, even aliens. Plus he already had the hard edge of a warrior clinging to him, most people simply assumed he was a thug anyway.

Simple to play the part.

He scowl at the gammorrean.

A part of him wanted to laugh. What would any of them have thought if they knew that in his spare time he did silly things like carving wooden dolls? They likely wouldn’t be impressed.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

Another heavy snort made the guards jowl quiver. Those black beady eyes narrowed and even the tiny black morts that had latched onto his skin seemed to twitch in ire.

"You don't talk to the-" whatever he was going to growl out next was interrupted by a small beep. It was the intercom to the Gamorrean's right.

"Let her through." The metallic tinged voice would crackle down. Piggy did not seem to pleased, but reared back. After a second he turned and pressed a security button. The door slid open.

Ryssa took a step forward, glad that this was finally done with. However if Val were to follow, he'd notice the guard get in his way.

"He said 'her'." Another snort. "Not them" a Gamorrean who knew pronouns. Surprise.

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

Val frowned for a moment and then gave the Gamorrean who attempted to stop him a second look. He was taller than the creature, though likely had far less mass. As a general rule Gamorreans were rather portly in nature, something that somehow seemed to translate to a natural gain of strength.

Though how that was Val wasn’t sure.

”Step out of the way.” His voice was gruff, a bit lower than usual but really only noticeable by Ryssa. It was clear that he was attempting to sound more intimidating, something that seemed to work as the Gamorrean took half a step back. The creature didn’t move to the side however.

Val for a brief moment wondered if this would turn to violence. The ‘Collecter’ as he called himself likely wouldn’t be too pleased if the Viking killed his guards, but the last time he’d allowed Ryssa to wander off and meet someone on her own they had held her at gunpoint.

That wasn’t going to happen again.

”Step aside.” He repeated the command. ”Or end up as a corpse.”

That would lead to some unhappiness, but this was a shadow port.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

Oh great...

Ryssa knew that this could very easily get kicked up a few notches. She immediately went up to put herself in between the Gamorrean and Val.

"He's with me. " A pointed look was directed at the holocamera.

"You know i'm good for it!" she added, knowing that the Collector would be reviewing the holofeed. A few tense seconds would tick by before the intercom gave another beep.

"Both."

It was curt and to the point, but it allowed Ryssa a measure of relief. With an angry snort, the Gamorrean took a step back.

"Go." he growled out.

"Let's go," Ryssa set a hand on Val's forearm, unconsciously wanting him to follow her. Under her breath she added, "Can't take you anywhere without starting a ruckus." she said, leading the broad shouldered man through the door.

 

[Valkyrien Aurelios]

[member="Ryssa Rourke"]

”I didn’t start anything.” Val told her simply.

It was true in a way. All he had done was try to accompany her up to see this odd Collector person, there was no crime in that. Especially considering what had happened the last time she’d tried to go somewhere without him. ”They were the ones starting things.”

A low grunt sounded out behind them as they moved forward.

Val decided to ignore the provocation, if only because he knew that in part Ryssa was right. Fighting was his usual method of getting things done, but here...well here wasn’t the place to do that, not right now anyway. He frowned slightly and shifted his weight as they moved forward and through the door.

They stepped into a turbo-lift, one that almost immediately shot up. Val grabbed a handrail to steady himself, feeling the odd pit form in his stomach as he and Ryssa went rocketing up a few floors. They came to a sudden stop, the door opening to a dimly lit, and slightly stuffy room that was filled with Glass cases, cages, and musty rugs.

 

[Ryssa Rourke]

[member="Valkyrien Aurelios"]

The Collector was.. well rather eccentric. But he dealt fairly. Well as fairly as anyone could expect from someone who was determined to gather odds and oddities of the galaxy.

The top level was actually a sphere of some sorts. There were glass containers everywhere along with floor to ceiling bookshelves full of tomes, datacrons, a few interesting holocrons, and more bits and bobs.

"Just... try not to ask too many questions." likely Val would not listen to her but that was that.

"And don't stare at him too much." The Collector was also rather... interesting looking.