The Drunken Baby-Cat Sitter [Lara + Gabe]

[Lok Jorunn]

The Drunken Baby-Cat Sitter​

Little Coruscant​

[member="Lara Zambrano"], [member="Gabriel Vestex"]​

​

​

​

Well damn. Those metallic bands around his throat didn't exactly feel too good. Neither did having his pockets ruffled like a damn plebeian or something. He would've spat at the thing holding him but that would be far too painful for its intent.

"I told you, Jorunn," the grip tightened, "Never ever come here. This is Black Sun territory."

If he was capable of speech, Lok would have either forgoed them entirely and punched this thing's teeth down its throat or uttering a wordy string of curses might have sufficed for the moment. Needless to say, it wasn't hard to piss him off and Mister Buckethead here didn't seem to understand that he had literally just clicked the "Select All" box on his list of agitations.

The grip around his neck loosened for just a fraction of a second.

"Go to hell, you kriffing dumbass. I don't care whose territory this is, you can't ev-!" His last words turned into a gurgle of saliva as he was tossed through the air like a ragdoll. This cyborg-robocop thingamajig had enough strength to put down a wookie. As for its projectile, the blonde-haired man uttered a yelp of pain and surprise before making contact with a duracrete wall.

The thing moved closer. "Don't struggle and just accept death. Boys," it turned a mechanical head to its leering compatriots, "Finish him."

And with that, the mechanized monstrosity about faced and headed off to attend to something else that was more less aggravating. Lok was pissed and the bleeding wound on the side of his head didn't help matters. Neither did those possibly fractured ribs.

"Fething bastards," he snarled, rising from his heap of torn cloth. Three assailants were already bearing down on him by the time his knees locked and supported his frame. He was completely and utterly defenseless. Whatever weapons he had were tossed aside in his previous shakedown and he regretted not facestomping these dumbasses on the spot. However, he had something they didn't. Not only did he have brain cells; he had the Force.

Groaning with a sharp intake of air, he steeled himself for the coming onslaught as a vibroblade made its appearance. The pirate threw his weight forward, getting on the man before he could even raise his arm to deliver a stab. Lok's forehead met the man's with a crack. They called him the Lion for a reason, y'know. Blood slathered out of the attacker's mouth with a painful cry, stumbling backwards as his duo of companions moved in to back him up.

Summoning his mystical ally, the former Jedi snapped the dropped vibroblade into his hands. It was only there for a moment before it soon found itself lodged within a chest cavity. Those were the worst kind of cavities. Crimson fluids slicked his hands and then he bolted. Lok shoved aside the man who had began to cry out for help as his shocked, unharmed friend froze up.

The pirate would find himself within a crowd of people milling about the market.

Time to find my crap and bail, he thought. The sound of running footsteps, shouts, and people screaming didn't exactly tell the Lion that he had all the time in the world.

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Zambrano"] & [member="Lok Jorunn"]

It was just another day on the crime-ridden streets of Nar Shaddaa and Gabriel and Lara where making their way across the Vertical City. Gabriel kept Lara close to him on their ambitious stroll. His cursory glance was relentless, and he could see everything was in its place. On Nar Shaddaa that meant danger was lurking in every shoddy corner and grimy back alley. Aliens littered the streets. You had your Gamorreans, Devaroians, Twi’leks, and Duros, and many other Near-humans. A small group comprised of devilish leers and raw, greedy eyes were playing an illicit game of sabacc. Each one was sweating bullets. On Nar Shaddaa, the stakes were always high. However, most of the aliens were minding their own business. They were looking around for the next person to use and some were even there just hoping to be used. Some had dejected, solemn glances, which they kept glued to the floor in front of them as they walked. Others had mischievous grins that hid none of their ill will to anyone who passed by. In some cases making eye contact was life or death.

At this time, our fateful heroes, Gabriel and Lara, were on a mission. They were heading through the sinful streets of the Red Light Sector on their way to see Zaxo Desilijic Toro, a member of the Hutt Cartel. The Red Light Sector was a destitute place. Impoverished and depraved, the only thing this sector wasn’t lacking in was prostitutes and spice. Gabriel loathed it here and the last thing he wanted was for Lara to be near such debauchery, but they had little choice. Visiting the Hutt Cartel was the only way they could obtain a ship and get off this worthless rock… or so they thought.

As Gabriel and Lara were getting closer to their intended destination they saw the escalating conflict between Lok Jorunn and the Black Sun ruffians. This was a common occurrence on Nar Shaddaa and Gabriel intended to stay out of it. Lara had different plans, though.

She glanced urgently in Gabriel’s direction. Her pale, handsome face and her tender emerald eyes were upon him. Gabriel knew what she was going to say before she said it. His eyes darted down at her with a grim countenance as he awaited her pleas.

“We have to help him,” she said with determination singing in her throat.

“It’s not our business, Lara.”

“We have to... don’t you see? That’s what’s wrong with this kriffin’ planet… nobody looks out for each other."

Gabriel frowned slightly. He knew once she made her mind up about something there was no convincing her otherwise. And worst of all... he knew she was right. He reached a hand out for her arm, to stop her if he could, but he only came away with a handful of air. Lara had bolted and was running at break-neck pace after the thugs.

“Here we go again,” Gabriel muttered as he fled after the reckless, little princess.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Gabriel Vestex] [member=Lok Jorunn]

Lara had spent the entire walk towards the market district with a bounce in her step. She and Gabriel had left their abandoned apartment soon after breakfast to begin to make their way through the sinful streets of the Red Light Sector. She had kept both of her small hands on the straps of her backpack, where her faithful book Twenty Wonders of the Galaxy remained. She certainly wasn't going to make it as easy to steal like Dianna had before. Where Gabriel was constantly analysing the area surrounding them, eyeing the crooks and thiefs that were lingering in alley ways, waiting for a less expecting person to jump. Lara was doing what Lara did best, and that was daydreaming. She felt Gabriel's hand guide her every so often where she almost walked into the back of the odd alien, but mostly she stuck close by him. He knew where they were going.

Zaxo Desilijic Toro..what a stupid name. She had mused, letting her green eyes study the flying ships above them. Roaring across the pitch black sky to their different destinations in mind. The fat slug was a member of the Hutt Cartel, and Gabriel had made it aware to Lara that he was the only one who could provide them with a ship. Lara had shrugged, and for once had stopped arguing back. She was sure she had left her friend surprised by that, but he didn't question her less-stubborn nature. To be honest, Lara found it a massive trick, a way for the Hutt Cartel to pull in desperate strangers like them to do their bidding as either their slaves or something worse.

She was sure deep down there was another way. But she couldn't work out how. Everyone on this rock only cared about themselves, and if there were others like her and Gabriel - she wished she had met them by now.

The furry paw of Gabriel once again returned to her shoulder, drifting her out of the way of an unaware Twi'lek. Her green eyed had studied the alien with her long lekku's, bright blue skin and eyes to match. She was wearing well..barely anything. and was speaking to a man, bent over the handles of his speeder with her assets practically spilling out. It was clear she knew how to charm men like him..but when Lara looked close enough, she was certain she could see a pang of unhappiness in her eyes. Gabriel had often tried to shield her from the unpleasantness of Nar Shaddaa. But she had passed it and seen it in the streets enough times to not be so naïve in realising what people were pushed to do, to earn a credit or two to survive.

If I were the Queen of Nar Shaddaa, I would make it my first priority to help people like her. Lara looked down to the ground sadly, studying her brown scuffed boots. She didn't understand why whoever ruled this shoddy rock would let it's people suffer like this. No one should be forced to do such ..disgusting things to survive. Lara's small hand tucked a strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear, and she suddenly come to a halt in the middle of the busy crowds. She felt overwhelmed by the hell-hole that this planet had become. She felt overwhelmed to change it. She felt overwhelmed to help it. People barged past her, but she didn't feel it. She continued to stare at the ground until a familiar hand took hers, tugging her aside from the stampede of aliens making their way past. She looked up to see Gabriel crouched infront of her, a concerned look played upon his features when he spoke.

"Lara? What's wrong?"

For a moment, Lara wasn't exactly sure what was wrong. She had lived here for two years now, and yet she had never felt so swamped or bothered by the way in which people lived. Long before she and Gabriel were even born, she knew that Nar Shaddaa was the same as it is now. But that made Lara all the more curious as to why nothing had been done to change it. She wiped a hand across her eyes, she wasn't crying but she still felt like a fool for letting it affect her so deeply. With a mumble she replied back to her comrade. "Why has no one helped them?" She motioned her head with a gentle nod towards the vast crowds beside them.

Gabriel had seemed to grasp what Lara was indicating towards. He let a small sigh slip through his lips, and replied in a soft tone, he always used that voice when trying to make her feel better. "Everyone's too busy trying to survive. It's..difficult to explain." Lara had shook her head, she had heard that excuse plenty of times, and she was certain that was the reason everything went to kriff in the first place. She was going to reply, before a loud scream echoed amongst the market place, a different type of scream compared to those when robbed which was normal for these parts. Kiosks were being pushed over, and people were too.

A tall man with tanned skin and golden blonde curls was running ahead, being the reason behind the damage and chaos to unleash over the market. However it was evident to Lara he was hurt, as within those blonde curls, blood could be seen. His clothes were ripped and rugged from where he had been beaten up, or thrown around. Close behind were two humans following him, equipped with blasters which they were firing already. Their aim was piss-poor, and they were firing at everything but their target. But Lara guessed with the wounded state the man was in, he'd need help - or he would be tired and dead by the end of today.

She tried to run forwards, before Gabriel caught her hand - bringing her to a quick stop. He looked at her as if she was crazy, and she wasted no time in beginning her pleas to convince her friend. "We have to help him, Gabriel!” She felt determination building within her, through all of the horrible things she had experienced today. She could help at least one person. She wasn't going to allow herself to accept the ideals accepted by everyone else. No, for there to be change. She would have to be the one to implement it, and that started with helping others. Gabriel released her hand, stumped, his voice was hesitant when replying.

"It's none of our business Lara-.."
“We have to... don’t you see?" She paused, interrupting Gabriel's excuse. Her green eyes looked up at her comrade, hoping he would understand. "That’s what’s wrong with this kriffin’ planet… nobody looks out for each other. We need to help him." Then she was off.

Her long blonde hair, and white dress billowed behind her, she was running as fast as she could to duck and weave between the incoming crowd. Sometimes she had to run through people's legs to keep sight of where the strange man with blonde hair was going. He wasn't far from her, he was beginning to slow down from his injuries - but that meant the people following him would be closer too. She ran and ran and ran until she eventually saw a low enough roof to use to her advantage. A stack of crates were conveniently stacked upon each other to give Lara the boost she needed to descend to the roof tops above. She cut her hands when scraping to haul her small body upwards, but she was agile and nimble enough for it not to take long until she was back on her feet and running again. The blonde haired man turned a corner into an alley way, but Lara could already see it had a dead end. Kriff she thought, crouching on the corner of the roof, she saw the two men who had followed him this entire way begin to close in like a cat chasing a mouse. They were taunting him, but Lara didn't pay attention to their petty threats. She was busy working on how to handle two grown men on her own. I'll have to work it out as I go. She concluded, realising she had little to no time at all with the speed of the approaching men.

She jumped like a monkey off the roof, and if she had not been busy - she would've paid to have seen the shocked expression on each of their faces. She tucked and rolled roughly like she always had, to break her fall. And withdrew her blaster she kept hidden underneath her long green jacket. She stood infront of the stranger with blonde hair, who was pressed against the wall behind her and held out the blaster towards each of them. Her emerald green eyes glamed in the darkness, and she tried to mix a tough tone to her voice when addressing them. "Go away and leave him alone! If you don't, I'll be forced to hurt you!" A moment of silence passed between the two human chasers, and she was sure she could see a flicker of amusement cross their features before they burst into laughter. They lowered their guns, and practically bent over to hold their fat stomachs that wobbled while they laughed.

"You...?!" They paused again, spluttering spit across the floor as they tried to steel themselves from laughing. "You...hurt us?! Is this a joke, girly?!" Lara didn't reply, she kept her nerve and harderned expression on the men as they began to approach her and the man she did not know. She pressed her finger on the blaster's trigger, remembering what Gabriel had taught her to shoot properly if she needed too. Could she kill someone? A doubtful thought passed her mind, and she almost lowered her weapon until shaking it out of her head. They approached closer and closer, and whacked the blaster out of Lara's moment of weakness, making it fall aside. One of the criminals grabbed Lara's hand, to pull her closer towards him, the other behind him spoke up, gleefully.

"What a joke, eh Va-?" She heard the Crash before the Snap. She turned her head to see what all the commotion was about and a smile soon spread across her face when realising who was here. Gabriel! The unfortunate criminal had been practically tackled head first into the closest building, leaving the man to drop to the ground with a bloody head. The man's friend who held Lara stared at the tall Cathar, who towered over him with a distressed and puzzled expression. Lara used this opportunity to knee the man in the groin, which earned the man a large yelp of pain, when he doubled over. Gabriel simply smacked his large paw off the back of the man's head, to make him collapse to the ground unconscious with his friend. Lara looked up to Gabriel, offering him a warm smile that he had come through for her in the end, and turned away to look at the mysterious man they had saved. She approached him, and spoke in a soft tone to him.

"Are you okay? We saw you being chased and.." Her emerald eyes drifted to where he was bleeding on his head, and she frowned gently. "You're bleeding..we've got a spare bactage bandage that can help you."

 

[Lok Jorunn]

Jeez these guys were persistent. He had been sprinting away for nearly an entire minute before they got within something of a range between them, unloading blaster bolt after bolt at him. Luckily, the frantic duo were entirely too out of shape and their hard breathing threw off their aim by a mile. Green plasma smashed into the backs and sides of numerous passerby, sizzling their clothes and flesh all the way down to the bone. The stench of burning sinew and blood hung in the air like an awkward silence. It was disgusting and the look on Lok's churning face didn't lie.

The Lion gave a snarl as he pushed through the crowd with his newly obtained blade hidden from sight. Though he hated practically everyone on this planet, it was typically best not to charge into a mob of ragged civilians with a blade that could nearly hack through anything. The only blood on his hands would be that of his foes, not the innocent that sought freedom from them. They did nothing wrong and the former Jedi understood that all too well. He'd been there at one point in time and the fond, yet faded memories flooded his mind in an instant.

------​

Everything, literally everything was black.

"Holy Heavens." The sharp curse exited sternly through man's gritted teeth. "Is everyone okay?" The dark figure called out once again, receiving no replies. Lok Jorunn attempted to sit upright, but halted midway and dropped back down onto the durasteel floor with a groan. He coughed and cleared his throat, wondering if there was blood lodged in his passageways. Perhaps some internal bleeding was a possibility, but not likely. Using the invisible hand of the Force, the wounded male stretched out to locate the room's light switch and flicked it in. It wasn't bright at all, but it would have to do.

After a few minutes, the man tried to rise once again, succeeding with a triumphant sigh of approval before sliding to sit upright against the wall. Hell, the wall was just as cold as the floor. Apparently they'd been here for a while, a few hours at most. It was a wonder that he was alive. "Hello?!" Lok yelled one more time. Where was everyone? Dax, Mike, Jasen? A shiver went down his spine and his flesh grew clammy at the thought that had erupted into his mind. No, that couldn't have happened. They'd fought valiantly alongside him just minutes ago! Technically, he'd been here much longer than that, but he wasn't in the mood to correct himself.

As he tried to assess the damage done by those pirates, his own body was the first thing he surveyed. His dark brown robes were gone and a patch of his right sleeve was burnt away, the smell of burned flesh lingered ominously around the wound. Lok hadn't really noticed it before, his adrenaline was wearing off now and every muscle in his body ached. After further investigation, that burnt patch of flesh on his arm was a blaster wound. Not a large one, most likely from a blaster pistol. Luckily, that was the only injury save for a few scratches, bruises, and a killer headache.

He'd mustered enough strength to stand up by now and rose uneasily, using the bulkhead as support. With the dimmed lighting and only the Force to guide him, he set off in search of his comrades. The cockpit was the easiest to find and the hardest to leave. The Guardian entered the room and immediately dry heaved at the stench billowing from the two bodies seated at the helm of the tiny corvette. Dax Uera and Jasen Orto were both gone. Jasen, it seemed, had been flung from his co-pilot's seat as the vessel made its crash landing and the wall had taken quite the toll on his cranium. Lok's golden eyes shot away from his body before attempting to uncover the source behind Dax's ending. His had a similar cause, but his eyes were shut peacefully as he lay against the pilot's console.

Dried blood plastered both of their faces and flies hummed delightfully upon their new treasures.

The med bay was even worse. Mike Zenima lay across one of the beds in the little, white room. He had a makeshift splint secured to his leg and the colorful dark crimson of his shirt told the tale of a man who'd taken a large chunk of shrapnel to his liver. It had ruptured and he'd bled out before he even had a chance to finish his message. A datapad was transfixed in his grip as he lay solemnly in the medical bay. A quick glance at the recipient broke Lok's heart. "Kristy will see you in the heavens, brother. Take care." A shaken, measly voice crawled out of his throat. The Jedi Knight took the datapad from Mike, tapped Send, before reaching forward to gently close the eyes of a great man.

Why did fate have to be so cruel? How the hell did raiders and pirates even know that they were coming? Why wasn't he strong enough to have helped, even saved them?

He didn't know, but the butterflies in his stomach and the tears threatening to trickle gave him an unspoken answer. The lonely man eased out a shaky breath before rummaging through the medical supplies, slapping a bacta pack upon his wound and tying it to his arm. The pain didn't go away entirely, but bacta was the best healing material in the galaxy. He was thankful for it. Perhaps he'd be able to do some good, save some lives for once. He'd do it for Mike, Dax, Jasen, and all of his brothers who'd died before them. But more importantly, for his parents.

"Farewell, my brothers.

Goodbye, Lok.

And with that, the lone Jedi Knight exited the little corvette with nothing but a little sack of essentials on his back, the clothes on his form, and the Force in his soul. As he fled from the crash, he turned to look back. He'd make them proud. He'd see them himself when he got to the heavens.

--------​

All of that snapped back into his mind as he ran from these thugs. Those were darker times in his life, when he was a Jedi. It wasn't the kind of life that most people would expect of a seemingly peaceful space-monk. Lok Jorunn had been a Jedi Shadow, men and women who trained their entire lives to become tools and literal weapons of the Light in order to utterly, completely annihilate the darkness itself. He had killed men before he was even one of them. There was no joy left in his life.

So, he stopped running as he cornered into another alleyway. There was another way out, noticing the nearby door with a flick of his eyes. Lok sighed, bringing the vibroblade to bear on whoever was pursuing him. A shout could be heard, Go away and leave him alone! If you don't, I'll be forced to hurt you!"

Within an instant, a little girl was standing before him with a blaster in hand. She looked like she should be more worried about cuddly toys and a new dress rather than pulling off a clean shot from a blaster. The pirate's eyes narrowed and his lips curled into a snarl as he moved forward. No way in hell was some child gonna stick up for him. The right side of his face felt warm from the blood seeping from a wound, and his abdomen's painful cries of agony almost put him on the ground. How he had run before was a complete mystery to him. Adrenaline worked wonders.

"Put the gun down, kid," he growled, "I got this."

Then came the cat. The kitty pawed his way to victory with a fairly nice, clean tackle before the little girl monopolized on the distraction to take out the other man with a really, really painful looking maneuver.

"Are you okay? We saw you being chased and...you're bleeding..we've got a spare bactage bandage that can help you."

Lok frowned. "I don't need your damn help, kid," he shot a look towards the Cathar, "Same goes for you, pal." The blade in his hand felt heavy, heavier than a knife should. His eyes turned white-hot with anger when he turned them towards the two men that had been ousted. They were still breathing and that pained him. Clenched teeth and a snort, he almost started for them with quick deaths in mind. Had he not come to his senses in a single second, he would've just ended the lives of two men in front of a ten year old.

"Over here! Valan said he was goin' this-a way!"

The shouts behind the Cathar and the girl commanded Lok's attention. More Black Suns were coming. They always continued to pursue their foes with disturbing speed and accuracy. A shiver ran down his spine. "Fething robot..." He growled, rubbing a hand around his throat before waving at that previously mentioned door with his blade. "In there," he ordered, "Go!"

[member="Lara Zambrano"], [member="Gabriel Vestex"]

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Zambrano"] & [member="Lok Jorunn"]

The only thing Gabriel knew how to do was survive. To survive meant to fight. To rebel against everything and everyone, including oneself, was the true test of strength. Gabriel was always fighting. This strength was thought to be an asset to him, when in truth it was nothing more than a flash in a pan. It's something many men would pride themselves on, but Gabriel refused himself such frivolity. He understood that by constantly fighting against everything, he couldn't just accept things. He couldn't accept whom he was, where he was, or the way things were. Acceptance is the first step to change. If you can't change, the galaxy tends to be a pretty dark place. Even with Lara at his side, Gabriel's world was always a step away from descending into darkness. He was fighting to survive, but the fighting was killing him.

“I don’t need your damn help, kid,” the desperate and bleeding brigand said before them, “Same goes for you, pal.”

First things first… Gabriel checked with a cursory glance to make sure Lara wasn’t injured. Then he turned a grim leer on the loose cannon of a thug. His eyes scanned the bloodstained vibroblade that was clutched in his hands. “We didn't just risk our lives to save you or anything," Gabriel replied with sardonic compulsion, "Some gratitude would be nice." Gabriel’s lips subtly wrought back in a snarl. This response was against his will. Gabriel didn't trust the grizzly man in front of them and his biological imperative just reacted accordingly. He held out a paw to Lara’s shoulder as warning to keep her distance. The very stance and demeanor he was exhibiting said more than words ever could.

Gabriel saw a small image in the man before him. A man in pain, twisted and corrupted. He saw a man who didn't know what he was doing, didn't know what he wanted, and didn't know how to find out. At least that's how it seemed to him. He was no stranger to such feelings. However, it all disappeared just as quickly as it came, when the voice was heard across the entrance to the alleyway:

"Over here! Valan said he was goin' this-a-way!"

“Fething robot…” the fair-haired bandit growled out, “In there! Go!” He was pointing to the doorway.

Unfortunately, this situation was hell in a hand basket. More Black Sun hooligans were closing in on their position and Gabriel had to pull the plug on his inability to trust. And maybe Lara's altruism was affecting him... maybe. A gargantuan stride closed the distance between him and the door as he grabbed the doorknob and swung the door wide open. Gabriel pulled his blaster pistol off his belt and began double-tapping the trigger. He was providing cover for the naïve, little troublemaker and the son of a blaster who was battered and bruised six ways to Sunday.

After they both had made their way in the door, Gabriel entered and slammed it shut. They got off scot-free for now, but it was only a matter of time until their aggressors caught up. They'd have to keep running, and Gabriel would just have to keep an eye on Lok Jorunn.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

The golden haired stranger didn't seem impressed or thankful for the trouble that Gabriel and Lara had been through to help him from the men that had been chasing him. They were still alive; Gabriel had made sure of that when they hit the deck. But Lara was sure they'd wake up with a terrible headache, and most likely blame booze at first until they remembered what actually had happened. His lip curled upwards like a wild animal snarling, when he addressed her. "I don't need your damn help, kid," His cold golden eyes analysed and inspected her only briefly. Like she was nothing more than a spec of dust on his boots. He shifted his gaze from her onto Gabriel next, and added sourly. "Same goes for you, pal."

Her soft features twisted into a frown. She turned away in the dark filthy alleyway they currently resided within, and left Gabriel to drill home the point how they had risked their asses to help him. She was missing something, until she saw it amongst the dirty rubbish on the ground. She had been taken advantage of before hand when the attackers arrived, and they slapped the weapon out of her hand like a baby throwing it's toy out of its pram. Lara wasn't happy that she was that easy to disarm, but for now that wasn't her only worry. She knew when Gabriel was on edge, and that was enough of a reason for her to be as well. She picked up her blaster, and made sure it was on safety before tucking it in a pocket on the inside of her coat. Gabriel always taught her to check the safety first. Until she had promised to do that, he had refused to teach her.

Her emerald eyes studied behind her at the market district as she turned her head. She couldn't hear any more shouting just yet..but she knew it wouldn't be long until more arrived. Criminal's never gave up that easy. She turned her head back around to look between Gabriel and their new 'friend.' Both were to proud to give the other a hint of kindness. They stood their ground, and if they had the time to spare, Lara would have guessed they'd be here all night. The stranger carried a vibroblade and it was already painted and stained in blood. Lara looked closer, and she could tell it was fresh blood. She wondered who he had hurt, or possibly killed before she and Gabriel helped him? Part of Lara wanted to directly ask him, but she assumed he'd shoot her down as quickly as he had previously.

Her ears twitched like a cat's with what she heard next. Their footsteps echoed against the alleyway's brick and metallic walls, before their shouts followed. The criminals were moving even quicker than the others had - and they weren't wasting anytime in trying to find them. "Over here! Valan said he was goin' this-a way!" The almost endless staring war between Gabriel and Golden-boy had come to an end, and their attention was drawn back to reality."Fething robot..." Golden boy growled with almost a drop of fear washing over him with the realisation of his pursuers. Lara realised whatever he had done, must've been bad enough to get this type of attention.

He quickly raised the blade Lara had been earlier analysing to a damaged door with dents complimenting most areas of it. Old blood splattered on the door as well, as if it was paintwork to cover the damage. She guessed that wherever this door led, it wouldn't be very pretty or hold a nice crowd. But it was the only exit out of here, and right now they didn't have the leisurely time for making choices. "In there, Go!" he ordered at once, making Lara quickly run with Gabriel through the door once it was opened for them.

Club Ufora​

The horrible mixture of smoke and drugs hit Lara's nose first, and almost made her threaten to cough and splutter with disgust. The lights were dark inside the bar, and the music blared away with a few aliens bopping their heads, or dancing (practically grinding) away together. Club Ufora was the first thing that Lara saw in a rather unflattering neon sign above the bar. She had heard rumours of this place in the Red Light Sector, and a lot of aliens travelled out here to do shady work away from the authority's knowledge here. Or what little authority there actually was on Nar Shaddaa already. It was a seedy environment, with just as seedy individuals lingering within every nook and cranny of the establishment. Many smoked. Many were high. Many were drunk. And many were just getting it on in the corner of the room, groping places that should be saved behind a closed door. However every customer had something in common, and that was a weapon of some type on their person. Blasters, knives, swords, and kriff knows what else hidden in different compartments of their clothing.

Lara had never been inside such an environment, and for a moment she was stunned. She felt overwhelmed and she was sure sweat was threatening to form on the top of her brow. Is everyone looking at me, at us? She didn't know where to look. Sometimes even looking at someone wrongly could create trouble. She saw Gabriel's looming shadow on the ground before she heard his voice. He had crouched only slightly, clearly he didn't want to draw attention to the group by taking her hand. He whispered in her ear, and the sound of his voice was soothing enough for Lara to learn how to breathe again in the moment she had forgotten. "The door is just across the room. Relax, Lara. Keep moving, and try to blend in." She nodded seamlessly at nothing. She didn't know exactly how to blend in, but she'd try if it meant they got out of here alive. So Lara did not look at Gabriel. She did not look at Golden boy. She simply walked, and prayed that they wouldn't be seen amongst the crowds.

The slamming of the door they had entered through made Lara freeze in the middle of the dance floor, the route the group had chosen to take was smart enough. It would be the hardest place to see a bleeding human, a giant Cathar, and a little girl so easily. A yell in some unknown alien language could be heard above the music, before it was cut. The lights were turned on, and she blinked continuously for a moment to readjust with the sudden change. Aliens of all species turned their heads, muttering and swearing some beneath their breathe and some out loud at the sudden change of atmosphere. It was then that Lara crouched to look through a female nautolan's legs, to see who was making the commotion.

The Black Sun she recognised the symbol adorned on their clothing. One male Rodian, one male Twi'lek, and one female human had their blasters in hand - and their narrowed eyes were scanning every single person in the sleazy bar. Lara scurried back slightly from where she was crouched on the ground, desperate to try and find somewhere she would not be seen. She knew the Black Sun were a vast criminal syndicate, not only known on Nar Shaddaa, but on every planet from the core worlds to the Outer rim. Over the years they've been a thorn in a lot of police's side, but also the only way for people to get their fixes or a stable income. The resources available at their disposal was almost frighteningly large, to large for Lara to even try and get her head around to work out.

The crowd's shouting was cut short once the male Twi'lek shot his blaster three times into the ceiling above, leaving pieces of it to fall down onto the ground damaged. His voice was deep as he addressed every single person, with a pissed off tone. It was clear he had better things to be doing than chasing three people. "ALRIGHT LISTEN UP. We're looking for three people!" He held up three fingers to the crowd, as if they were to stupid to understand basic mathematics. Lara felt a shiver run down her spine, as she desperately began to crawl through the crowd towards the door. Gabriel had told her to not stop moving, to get to the exit as quickly as possible. The Twi'leks voice spoke up again, silencing the murmurs that had fell on the surrounding watchers. "A stoopa with blonde curls that my mother would be proud to have! A large cat that deserves to be skinned, and a little blonde haired brat with green eyes who deserves to be shipped to the Hutt's!" He paused, before continuing with his little speech. " If you've seen 'em..tell us now. If you're hiding them somewhere..then let's just say now you'll have more problems later if you mess with the Black Sun's business." Lara could feel people looking left and right, desperately trying to see if those described were in here. She felt fear overwhelming and flooding her very body. As if she had been thrown into the ocean, unable to swim. But she forced herself to continue crawling against the disgusting floor.

She could see the door now, she wasn't far away. But then a shout could be heard, and a snap. She turned her head and pushed a few of her stray blonde locks aside to see what was happening. A bar fight was breaking out amongst the aliens and black sun members. It seemed the owner of the bar didn't take lightly to threats, and now it was a pure free for all with a mixture of smashing furniture, fisticuffs, or blaster shots being fired. Lara ducked her head and scurried behind an overturned seat. A second to late she would've been glassed in the face by an angry Wookiee. Her heart was beating louder and louder, she had lost Gabriel in the current madness, and she had lost the stranger she helped previously too. Kriff, Kriff, Kriff. She was beginning to panic. Crowds of people brawling blocked the entrance she was aiming to dart towards, and the one they had come through. It felt like there was no escape for her. She heard a crunch of the glass that was thrown behind her, her long blonde whipped around as she looked up immediately to see who it was. For a moment she feared she had been caught, but instead she saw Lok Jorunn with a disgruntled expression on his face.

Was he going to help her? Or was he simply going to leave her and Gabriel alone and save his own skin?

[member=Lok Jorunn] [member=Gabriel Vestex]

 

[Lok Jorunn]

The pirate was rocketing towards the door before the kitty-man even whipped out his blaster to send plasma towards their soon-to-be pursuers. Lok had to admit, this Cathar dude didn't look like much at all. Though he appeared to be a native of this planet - the girl obviously wasn't and her mannerisms told him so. She wanted to help people and there wasn't a soul that innocent and selfless this side of the damned galaxy. He knew because he figured he was the last one to succumb to its corruption.

As the returning fire of blaster rifles and pistols rang out, the Cathar and his childish companion were in the door immediately after Lok had bolted. The durasteel frame potmarked with blood from the outside was pulled shut with a slam before the lock was snapped into place.

Club Ufora​

​

The familiar stench of sweat, drugs, and alcohol assaulted his nose with an armada of queasiness. He'd long since abandoned the idea of seeking solace in places like this in the past, but the memories shot back into his mind faster than he could believe. Unlike before, he pushed them back down into his drain of despair and moved away from the kid and her kitty. As ragged looking as he was, he would almost blend in with this crowd completely. Besides the fresh blood stains on his clothes and the tightly gripped weapon in his hand, he would have been able to make it outta there and away from the Black Suns and these two pests.

He never asked to be saved.

However, before he could sneak away, shouting and cries of pain resounded from the other side of the club.

"ALRIGHT LISTEN UP. We're looking for three people!" Apparently some bozo with tails on his head had blasted the ceiling all to pieces and his two compatriots were posing menacingly behind him. "A stoopa with blonde curls that my mother would be proud to have! A large cat that deserves to be skinned, and a little blonde haired brat with green eyes who deserves to be shipped to the Hutt's!"

A stoopa?

Well, shit. This guy had a deathwish or somethin'.

With a heavy sigh upon his lips, Lok turned to look around him and noticed a few people glancing his direction. A glare and a flash of his blade was enough to deter most onlookers but a few began to move away from him, making it more than noticeable that at least one of those three individuals was here. Damn, he groaned to himself. They'd need a distraction or something to get outta here alive.

"Hey nerf herder, that's my girl!" The pirate shouted angrily at some random fella with more grease in his hair than a Persian. "Don't freakin' talk to her!" And with that, his fist was already rearing back before it made contact with the frail bones of his nose. That one solid punch was it for Lok. The pain in his abdomen was more than he could bear and the resulting crash of the man eventually had a domino effect that turned a sleazy club into a demolition derby.

Lok had managed to tear away from the crowd, clutching his side while his other hand held onto the crimson vibroblade. Golden eyes darted to and fro in desperate search of an escape avenue, though it found none and instead discovered solace within the emerald orbs of that little girl. His eternal scowl disappeared for just a fraction of a second as he realized that he had allies this time around.

"Come with me," he reached out for her with his hand, "Your friend'll be fine." Once she would take his hand, he would be off in a streamline movement straight towards the Black Sun thugs.

Why'd he do that?

Because one of them has my lightsaber.

[member="Lara Zambrano"], [member="Gabriel Vestex"]

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Zambrano"] & [member="Lok Jorunn"]

Club Ufora​

Gabriel pulled his hood over his head when he entered the cantina.

The cantina experience was sensuality at its finest. His senses were at once flooded with the stench of sex and drugs. He could feel the desperation, the shame, and the unfamiliar feeling of pleasure. The atmosphere felt inviting in a way, as if entering inside made him part of the unadulterated debauchery. When his eyes flickered to the sign above the bar, he was instantly taken back. Images, sounds, and smells came to him. All were familiar and spoke of a memory long forgotten, but now resurfacing.

He was taken back to a memory of his parents. After a night out drinking, his father had come home. The smell of sweat, alcohol, and sex clung to him like a desperate mistress. His mother, always a shrewd woman, knew at once what her husband had been up to. She confronted him and in his drunken state he divulged the details of his night on the town. He had mentioned “Club Ufora.” It didn’t take long after that for a fight to ensue. Gabriel now understood why.

A bitter darkness descended.

But when the dimly lit cantina was suddenly engulfed with light, he awoke to reality. The darkness evaporated, but the bitterness remained.

That was when the poodoo hit the fan.

Gabriel looked around for Lara, but he had lost her. He caught glimpses of her blonde hair, but the sight was gone just as soon as he saw it. Regardless, the ensuing chaos that erupted in the cantina now made it impossible to search for her. Broken bottles went flying, tables crashed underneath dead weight, and the blood curdling screams of the patrons were all he was aware of.

His only hope was to head for the exit. Perhaps Lara would be there.

With his hood concealing his features, Gabriel managed to arrive at the exit without much incident. Most of the patrons were focused on others anyway. But when he glanced around he found no trace of Lara.

Where could she be?

He turned his head back to the center of the brawl. That was when he saw the long, golden curls of the man he had just helped save, Lok Jorunn. He noticed a look of determination on his face. What’s he doing? He was heading right for a couple of Black Sun thugs. Is this guy insane?

But Gabriel didn’t have time to follow up his question. A look of shock and then of perpetual worry filled his countenance as he saw Lara by the brigand's side. She's definitely crazy.

Gabriel was paralyzed from conscious inertia. He was more cerebral than he was a man of action. What could Gabriel do? Was he going to run out of the exit and leave Lara behind? No, that wasn’t an option. He was supposed to be her protector. Was he going to try to stop Lok Jorunn in the middle of the brawl? No, that wasn’t an option either. It would very likely get all three of them killed.

He only had one option then.

His claws elongated. It was do or die. It was time to fight.

The thought of fighting didn’t appeal to Gabriel. He knew part of the thirst for battle was in his blood and that at times he couldn’t control the blood fever that surged within him. He was like his father in that respect. But he became increasingly weary of how frequent having to fight had become. And yet he could find fighting gratifying. The neurotransmitters that fired through his brain before and after combat made him feel good. He didn’t like that.

With his features still cloaked, he made his way for the Black Sun thugs. He had just narrowly dodged a flying glass when he approached the bar. He took a half-empty cup of Corellian Ale into his paw and took a brief sip. The alcohol burned and his throat welcomed the drink with open arms. It filled his belly and gave him warmth.

But it gave him more than warmth. It gave him liquid courage.

Gabriel noticed his passions had begun to intensify. Dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine zipped from neuron to neuron. Alcohol had already begun to seamlessly flow through his blood.

After the drink was finished, he turned, with the empty glass, and smashed it over the head of a Black Sun hooligan who was in the middle of fisticuffs with a cantina patron. The victim dropped to the floor like a sack of Corellian potatoes.

Gabriel theatrically drew down his hood. A grin was upon his lips.

“It’s the cat!” Cried the Twi’lek thug.

“And there are the others,” one of the other brutes pointed in the direction of Lok and Lara marching in like a pair of bulldozers, “let’s get ‘em, boys.”

The Twi’lek thug, with a menacing smile flashing across his face, was behind Gabriel. The Cathar turned, but he wasn’t quick enough. A punch socked him clean across the jaw, and he fell back with a groan. The pain flared up instantly. His face was throbbing, but the tiny amount of alcohol in his system allowed for the agony to be dulled. Thank the Force for that.

When Gabriel stumbled backwards he found himself back-to-back with Lok and Lara. The rest of the Black Sun thugs who had decided to show up were swiftly surrounding them, corralling them in like a flock of bantha.

“I hope you have a plan,” Gabriel said with a dreary, yet comical tone.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

[member=Lok Jorunn] [member=Gabriel Vestex]

When Lok and Lara's eyes met, everything around them froze. The room fell silent, and the violence was no more. Her emerald orbs gazed into his bright golden eyes, and for a moment she looked beyond this man's charade of a criminal who cared for no one. Deep down past that, his eyes showed sadness, and raw emotion waiting to burst like an erupting volcano. He was in pain, but he was doing his best to make sure it didn't control his movements. He was trying to keep in control. She had overheard once from a staggering drunken couple on the street that the eyes are the window to a person's soul. She thought they were merely saying a load of rubbish and took no notice. But when Lara had the chance to analyse peoples eyes, she realised the saying was actually right. When she had first met Gabriel long ago, he was the first people to show pure kindness to her, the people who worked in the hospital wing where she was recovering from her accident two years ago held distaste in their eyes. She was nothing more than a nuisance to them, but something about Gabriel was different..and Lara saw the same look in Lok's eyes. For once she and Gabriel didn't seem to be alone, there really is someone else like us out here.

Lok's scowl disappeared, and Lara was unsure if he had felt the same realisation. Perhaps deep down she was wrong, and she was merely a pest to him still. She hoped that wasn't the case. Time sped up, and reality crashed back upon the dreamer. "Come with me," His voice was soothing and warm, and he offered his tanned rough hand for her to take. Regardless of the violence exploding around them, she felt a strange confidence in him, a willingness to see the kindness deep within Lok. She decided to trust that instinct..and gave him her hand. "Wait where are we g-.."Before Lara could find time to ask where they were going, they were off. In a burst of movement towards the Black Sun thugs.

Everything moved extremely quickly then, Lok swiftly pushed people aside as elegant as a dancer. Lara found that comparison funny, considering he was the complete opposite stature of one. He offered one of the Black Sun thugs with his back turned to the pair a swift back hand when he heard the incoming commotion, leading him to fall on his back - unconscious. He had crouched beside the body, she didn't understand why exactly, was he going insane? Was he going to continue to beat him up? Lara glanced around, he had let go of her hand but had made sure she was close enough to him to not be caught in any of the fighting. Her emerald eyes scanned the crowds, desperately searching for where Gabriel was. The smell of burnt flesh and skin was lingering in the air and she almost felt like she was going to be sick - what if Gabriel had been killed? She balled up her tiny hands into fists, and pressed them against her eyes at the thought of losing her friend.

All she had wanted to do was help somebody, and by doing that..she lost the one thing she cared about more than anything. oh Gabriel.. I'm so sorry. Small tears rolled down her ivory skin, bringing a strange sense of beauty out of the lost princess amongst the chaos. She cried, and for a while that is all she wanted to do. Without Gabriel, she wouldn't be able to survive. They wouldn't be able to live out their dreams together. He deserved it more than anyone she knew--..

Smash

Came the sound of a crashing bottle, it didn't bother or draw attention from the crying girl until she heard the shout of a nearby voice. “It’s the cat!” Her balled up fists dropped from her wet and red eyes, her long blonde hair covered her face like a curtain while she looked around desperately. Gabriel? Gabriel is it really you?! She whirled around and around, trying to find the tall Cathar. And then she saw him by the bar with a broken glass bottle in his hand, he wore a goofy smile upon his face theatrically. He didn't look hurt...thank goodness. She wanted to run to him, but Lok returned his hand protectively upon her shoulder to stop her. She was pulled closer into the crook of his arm as they backed up towards the center of the bar. Lara tilted her head gently, her long blonde curls parted the curtain for her to see what he had been searching for on the thug. A metal weapon of sorts, it wasn't very long and had a small button upon it. She frowned gently as they continued to walk backwards closer towards Gabriel, what is that? It was like nothing she had seen before, and already Lara was curious to find out what made it so important to Lok.

“And there are the others,” one of the other brutes pointed in the direction of the three, it was clear they had worked out they were planning to regroup and were trying to do everything in their power to stop exactly that happening. “Let’s get ‘em, boys!” Lara felt herself pushed gently by Lok, in-between him and Gabriel. Each had their arms extended, armed and ready to fight. Many of the civilians who had come to Club Ufora were hurt, or unconscious on the ground from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lara found her hand wrapping around Gabriel's leg, she didn't want to be separated from him again. She couldn't lose him. "I hope you have a plan,” Gabriel said with a dreary, yet comical tone that made Lara smile ever so slightly despite the circumstances. It was quick to fade however when the tension began to grow. The thugs were moving in, and Lara found it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel in how they would survive this. Lok turned his head only slightly, whispering in low tone to them. "You'll have to trust me. When I say run - run, alright?" Gabriel grunted a response, and Lara's emerald irises locked upon his own eyes. "I trust you." Was all she said. It was all that was needed for what happened next.

Lok's eyes had closed, and Lara could see he was taking a deep breathe in and out - She couldn't understand why, but she had given him her trust. She wouldn't betray that. In a moment a ripple could be sensed, she didn't know why or how she managed to feel this in her very body and soul - it was like nothing she had experienced..only before when she managed to bring down the thug hurting Gabriel. She thought it was merely a spur of the moment decision, perseverance..tenacity..determination. No. This was different. In a blink of an eye, all three of the black sun thugs that had gathered in a line to block their exit were blown off their feet. They flew through the air like birds, and their backs hit and dented the far wall away from them, rendering them unconscious. Lara gasped, Gabriel looked puzzled, and the crowd had stopped fighting. Until one of the women gave a loud scream "It's a JEDI!"

Chaos ensued after the scream, people were frantically pushing others out of the way - desperate to get away from the thing they classed a ..'Jedi'. Lara had never heard the word before, was it a type of monster? Even more important then that, HOW did he manage to push them away without touching them? Thoughts rushed through her mind as Gabriel took her hand and ran towards the exit. Flooding outside with Lok not far behind to make their way to safety, they ran and ran and ran away from Club Ufora. Down the streets of the market place with people running like in a stampede for their own safety. They collapsed within a street, Lok's had pressed his back against the wall, Gabriel had placed his hand on the wall to get his breathe back, and Lara found herself sitting on the ground. She was tired, extremely tired, and even if they had just a moment to rest, she'd accept it greedily. While she panted, she looked up at Lok with her green eyes and muttered in a very quiet tone - just loud enough for him to hear.

"What's a Jedi..? And how did you do that back there?"

 

[Lok Jorunn]

Lara's hand was soft and pure, unlike anything he'd ever felt before in his life. It wasn't the smoothness of a blade's edge or the purity of fresh blood spilled, it was something entirely new to him. Something entirely new to a virgin of innocence. A newfound determination seeped into his soul and his eyes sparkled with a lighter onlook on life. Lok pulled her closer to himself with a gentleness that only a father could muster. Once she had regained her composure and that shocked look had been lost from her gaze did he bolt forward.

"Yo man, watch it!" Someone shouted as he plunged through the crowd of writhing, terrified bodies. A frown creased his face with wrinkles as his free hand tossed aside people like bad jokes. His battered and torn cloak whipped and crackled with his charging movements and his grip on Lara's hand never loosened one bit.

There he is.

Golden glare met shocked blue eyes as the Twi'lek spotted him and Lara. He was the one with Lok's lightsaber and the owner of such a thing knew it. It didn't take long to let go of the girl's hand while crossing space to pummel the thug into oblivion. The pirate's fist met his face with such satisfaction that the sender almost smiled. Then came a backhand to the rear of his head to knock his lights out. Such filth shouldn't have their lives taken away. He assumed defeat and failure would be more than a suitable punishment to someone serving under that robot freak.

"Oh baby.." Lok said to himself as he dropped to his knees and frantically began to search for his beloved piece of equipment. He'd built this thing himself and had used it his entire life. If some slimeball thought he could take away something like that, he was sorely mistaken. Oh! Tanned fingers found themselves wound around the cylindrical form of the saber in a trench coat pocket and they smoothly yanked it free.

I've missed you so much.

Those fleeting feelings of joy and renewed friendship with something inanimate only lasted for a second.

With the kid by his side, he looked up and rose. Clad in his newly found confidence at having both allies and his trusty lightsaber, the look on his face was nothing less than a lion on the hunt. A devious smile curled his lips as a plan arose in his mind and the lives of his friends hung in his hands heavier than anything he'd ever experienced.

He took a look back at Lara, "You'll hafta trust me. When I say run - run."

"I trust you."

And with that, he turned his attention back to the thugs and the crowd of people scrambling away. Sucking in a deep breathe, which kinda hurt, the pirate stretched his arms out. The lightsaber had long since been lost in the folds of his own jacket and only the Force was his weapon now. It'd been a while since he tried something so powerful, so he needed the extra energy.

KATHOOM!​

​

A ripple of nothing but raw energy expanded from his palms. It wasn't meant to seriously hurt or kill anyone - merely to scare them shitless and ward off any other pursuits these wannabes had in mind.

"It's a JEDI!"

It?

Glaring at the woman, Lok almost said something to her before footsteps behind him caught his attention. The kitty and his little friend had already taken off. Good. He thought, spinning on his heels to come barreling out of the club and after them. More and more people had been flooding the streets and another ragged, torn form with shaggy hair fit right in with those that milled about the streets.

The pirate caught sight of the fleeing duo and cornered after them, coming down another alleyway where they began to rest and pant. Lok threw himself at them, catching up with impossible speed before easing himself and his wounded form against the wall.

"Holy Hell," he growled, "I gotta stop running so much." He was in more pain that he'd ever imagined. He surely had broken ribs and that seeping wound on his head had stopped bleeding, but aches soon followed it.

"What's a Jedi?" A soft, child-like voice broke into his solitary pain. "And what did you do back there?"

The former Jedi looked up from his wounds and found himself within stern, emerald spheres. "I ain't no Jedi, kid." Another sigh escaped his lips and scratched at his stubble, unknowingly smearing blood across his face. "At least, not anymore."

"Name's Lok, Lok Jorunn. I'm the Captain of the Trident and a loyal brother to the Red Ravens."

That was a bit much. Why'd you tell them all that?

They're friends now. I think.

@[member="Lara Zambrano"], @[member="Gabriel Vestex"]

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

[member="Lara Zambrano"] & [member="Lok Jorunn"]

Gabriel stood in the center of the cantina. His heart was pounding. Hopefully this guy had a trick up his sleeve; otherwise they were as good as dead.

“You’ll hafta trust me. When I say run - run.”

Gabriel didn’t like the thought of having to trust him, but the situation demanded it. This was one of those situations where if you don’t make a choice, one would be chosen for you, whether you liked it or not. It wasn’t a complete lose-lose situation. He could be dead either way, but at least one way he’d make the Black Sun thugs work for it.

Circumstance can be an unfortunate catalyst, but it can also lead to long-lasting friendship. Gabriel and Lara were a testament to that.

So Gabriel ran. He took one glance back and saw the Force at work. He had seen it once before and it confused him now just as much as it did then. But this time he had been so close, he could literally feel the energy. It was raw and all kinds of powerful. Gabriel couldn’t make heads or tails of it. He turned his head forward, his eyes darting back and forth between the path that lay in front of him and Lara at his side, and he sprinted out of Club Ufora.

When they had finally stopped running, Gabriel found himself and the two other misfits in an alleyway. He was slowly trying to catch his breath.

When the two began to speak his ears perked up. He knew what a Jedi was and he knew they were bad news. This guy wasn’t a Jedi, at least that’s what he said, but still… he looked like bad news.

“This is Lara,” Gabriel had trouble trying to control the impulse to lick his wounds as he motioned with his hand towards the blonde oddball, ”and I’m Gabriel. We're Nar Shaddaa's resident misfits, at your service.”

He swung the backpack from his shoulder and rummaged through it for the sole medpac they had in it. It might not do much for Lok, considering the extent of his wounds, but it might just keep him from getting any worse... or you know, dying.

But simple introductions hadn't been enough. Gabriel found himself itching for answers.

He gave Lok an inquisitive glance, “How do you go from being a peacekeeping Jedi to a lawless felon?”

Well… they say curiosity killed the cat. I guess Gabriel was just feeling lucky.

 

[Lara Zambrano]

They were dancing around the bush to avoid answering her. Lok Jorrun definitely knew the answers to the questions she seeked, after all he had just admitted he wasn't a Jedi. If he didn't know - why would he deny he was one? And what on Nar Shaddaa was it he did to the Black Sun thugs back there? Gabriel on the other hand..he betrayed a look she knew well that let her know he was hiding something. Why would he hide something from her? They were meant to be friends.

Lok had introducted himself as the Captain of the 'Trident' and let himself be known as a loyal brother to the Red Ravens. The red ravens? Aren't they the enemies of the Black sun? Lara had seen them fighting before in the streets..but she and Gabriel had never stayed for long to watch how it ended. He warned her to never get close to them, that they were dangerous, seedy and didn't think of anyone but themselves. I guess Lok Jorunn was living proof that he was wrong..at least Lara thought so.

Gabriel spoke up swiftly, as if he didn't want Lara to get a chance to ask any more questions. He wafted his hand gently over her before speaking in a serious tone. "This is Lara, and I’m Gabriel. We're Nar Shaddaa's resident misfits, at your service” He was trying to make her laugh, to bring attention away from her curiosity which was continuously growing as each second ticked by. She checked her own backpack's weight was still hanging from her shoulders, it was comforting to her she hadn't lost it again. Lara remained sat on the ground as she watched Gabriel offer a medpac - it was something they had been quite proud of coming across in their stealing missions. A man who was notoriously known for ripping people off was selling it at 85 credit chips, he even had denied a dying man the medpac without a care in the world of his wounds or injuries. Gabriel and Lara had thought of no better person to take the medpacs from. They had two previously, but they had given the suffering man one of them to help his wounds, she remembered his kind wrinkled face with bright grey eyes crying with happiness from the gesture. It was moments like that, that made Lara have the happiness to continue helping others when she could.

She combed her sore cut hands through her long blonde curls, enjoying the moment of peace they all shared together. She knew there was a possibility the Black Sun thugs were going to continue chasing them, either now..or somewhere later down the line. Her green irises looked up between the two. Lok was helping himself to the medpac, and trying to patch up any wounds that he had - she was mainly worried about the bleeding from his head..and what about the damage internally too? She wondered if they could afford a doctor if they had too. Medpacs could only heal so much..

“How do you go from being a peacekeeping Jedi to a lawless felon?” Gabriel piped up eventually, to break the silence between them. Lara looked up startled, she hadn't of expected Gabriel to be curious as well, especially with how often he lectured her that curiosity killed the cat. Ironic, but he believed it was true. However if this was the time for asking questions, Lara was going to make sure he answered hers.

Her first question was directed at Gabriel, a hurt expression slipped upon her gentle features when she asked him. "What's a Jedi? And why have you never told me about them?" She turned her eyes back to Lok, and found herself speaking with the same curious tone that she held with Gabriel. "You're a captain of the Trident? Does that mean you go to lots of different planets and fly a ship!?" Her eyes widened at the thought, how she had dreamed of exploring the galaxy, and she and Gabriel were so close to making it a reality. If only we had a ship.. She looked down sadly to study the filthy ground beneath her brown scuffed boots. "You're so lucky..to just be able to fly away into the great unknown whenever you like..I wish I could." She intended to whisper that, but it came out more louder than she expected. Her wish was just a silly dream, a dream that was unlikely to ever come true. Lara knew she wasn't the only one to have wishes on this rock, and they sure as heck don't come true. She looked up at Lok, and found herself playing with a strand of her blonde hair when she piped up gently. "What's a Jedi, and what do you mean you use to be one? Why do they do..'peacekeeping?', if that's the case shouldn't they be helping Nar Shaddaa? A lot of people suffer here too!" Whoever these 'Jedi' were, had certainly gained the attention of Lara. She wanted to learn everything she could about this possible group. Maybe they could help those who suffered and had no voice to gain such assistance.

 

[Lok Jorunn]

Lok sighed. This kid was going to be the death of him if these wounds didn't kill him first. That cat looked a little pissed off too. Gabriel was his name, apparently, and he didn't exactly seem to happy to have a lion in his pack. Two big cats in one little group - that sounded like a load of fun. Gabriel obviously knew what he used to be and asked the main question that pained Lok the most.

At least he was nice enough to offer a medpac. Lok graciously accepted it without a word of thanks but instead offered the Cathar a curt nod of equals - for now. They hadn't exactly tried to kill them and it was he who had them all in this situation anyways. It was a good thing that he was the only one who was injured. The girl had a few cuts on her hands and the same was with Gabriel. A ragtag little duo they were.

"What's a Jedi? And why have you never told me about them?" It seemed the cat was literally out of the bag. "You're a captain of the Trident? Does that mean you go to lots of different planets and fly a ship!?"

"Easy there, kid." He sighed as he pressed the Bacta-covered patch against his abdomen. His shirt had been pulled up to reveal his stomach, toned and tanned. Though he didn't tend to work out often, his line of business kept him in shape. "Oooh." He cooed to himself as the patch was fastened to his wound. Rough fingers wound themselves around the rest of the bandage as he secured it to his waist.

"You're so lucky..to just be able to fly away into the great unknown whenever you like.. "

He grinned at that. "It ain't like your dreams, kiddo. There's a lot more to just flying somewhere than that." Lok gave something of a chuckle but it quickly ended with his cringing.

"What's a Jedi, and what do you mean you use to be one? Why do they do..'peacekeeping?', if that's the case shouldn't they be helping Nar Shaddaa? A lot of people suffer here too!"

Ah, damn. Now I gotta tell these people my life story or somethin'.

"Yeah, I was a Jedi." He admitted, reaching up to pull stray strands of his blonde locks away from his eyes. "Jedi are peacekeepers. They fight for justice, peace, and order. They're capable of using the Force and wield lightsabers.

"There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity."

He paused, collecting his memories.

"There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force."

A solemn look seeped through his entire soul at the mere utterance of his once beloved Jedi code. Each day of his former life had been spent in duty and service to those words and the people who had created them. Once upon a time he fought for the light, stood against the shadows, and protected the innocent. He had fought in glorious battles, led entire battalions of soldiers against the Sith, and had saved countless lives.

Now he was nothing but a mere shell of his former self. Corrupt, arrogant, and selfish. What happened?

"I think it's about time I left." Lok groaned as he began to pull himself up, using the wall as a support. "You guys got nothin' to do with me. I'm gonna cause you more trouble than good. Here, take this." The pirate sighed and fished for something in his jacket pocket. A grin traced his lips once he realized that the Black Suns hadn't taken it. "It ain't much, just a few hundred credits." The yellow Credit Chit was tossed to Gabriel along with something else. "Those are some keys. Check hangar bay Besh-42."

He was already giving them way too much for his own good. Darrick wouldn't be glad that he had gifted some kid and her pet cat part of his pay. Oh well, Lok would have to suffer the consequences that came with throwing around his quartermaster's pay. These two had done more than enough for him. Perhaps that light inside him had even sparked back into existence.

Only time would tell.

@[member="Lara Zambrano"], @[member="Gabriel Vestex"]

 

[Gabriel Vestex]

Gabriel took the keys and credits into his paw. He examined the unexpected parting gifts before pocketing them safely in his synthleather jacket. He gave a brisk nod to Lok. He forced himself to give a smile before he went and headed to the end of the alleyway. He waited there for Lara who was thanking the Jedi-turned-brigand profusely. Gabriel even saw her give the man a hug, who looked a little surprised, but accepted it nevertheless.

When Lara returned to Gabriel's side they made their way out of the Red Light Sector to the shipyards.

It was time to leave.

FIN