Private The Gambler, The Rambler, and a Dive Bar

[Zinder Tokarache]

Location: Coruscant Bar
Equipment: Casual Clothing
Tags: Alexander Hayes

Meeting with Aiden had been more than eye opening. Learning the true fate of their squad after the ambush hadn't settled any of the feelings he had.

Maybe had made them worse.

His effort to diffuse the explosives had been the linchpin for the whole start of that ambush. A feeling that had turned into fact with his long absence from the remaining members of the squad. If he'd been a bit quicker maybe. Or had-

The glass rose to his lips, the burn a welcome one as he tried to wash the emerging feelings back down.

He wasn't here to wallow. Had plenty of time of his own to do that. His eyes half lidded and staring at the mostly gone pitcher at the table. He hadn't kept an eye on the clock, nor on the pitcher aside from aiming for his cup.

Already paid ahead on the beer he was downing to keep from loosing his credit chit trying to pay for one again.

And maybe not poison himself in the process with consumption.

Aiden had put him in contact with Alex. A pleasant surprise that brought a little relief to the swarming guilt he felt. Someone else that had survived, if only because they were also too fething stubborn to go down. Then again, it had sounded like they'd dropped a building on Alex. And the fact he was up and about spoke a lot more to his tenacity than mere stubbornness.

A veritable tank more like.

His eyes blinking as he tried to imagine the specifications on a tank built to that standard. Far gone enough to cease the wallowing for a while, caught up in trying to decide the hull plating versus armor plating as he tried to take another swill from his glass.

The slouched lean in his chair coming to an end as he stared at his jeans through the bottom of an empty glass.

The scant bit of liquid in the rim causing him to grunt and up end the glass to capture the last bit of what attempted an escape. Hanging it there for a long second before dropping his hand onto the table a little too quickly with a sharp clink.

Making himself jump and frog blink.

Gathering himself long enough to try to make out the digits on the clock as he righted himself in the seat. He was certain this was Alex's favorite little dive. At least Aiden had painted it that way. Was he at the right place?

His eyes cast up to the ceiling before thinking about reaching for the pitcher.

"He'll fine me. Told 'im to meet me 'ere. Wherever. Here. Is." Grumbles made as both elbows shifted onto the table with every ounce of his weight on them. Head hung as he gathered up the energy to pour once more.

 

[Alexander Hayes]

Of all the things that could happen upon setting foot back on Coruscant, receiving a message from a fallen squadmate was not one of them.

Alexander had been on a mission, a joint op between the GADF and SIA. It had been pretty damn physically taxing on the K’paur. So when he had climbed aboard the transport, he had found a bunk and immediately slept through the entire journey back. He had also silenced his commlink during that time, only reactivating it upon arriving at Coruscant.

Where he was greeted by a message from one ‘Zinder Tokarache’. One of the more greener squadmates back then, but also one of the earliest to have fallen to the Maw ambush on Selvaris.

Initially, Alex had been tempted in messaging Aiden Rennek to verify. But he refrained, not knowing if he’d be too busy or not. Plus, Zinder had requested a meeting at a specific bar on the city planet. One that had only become a frequent place to visit after the K’paur had reunited with Aiden.

That put his mind at ease towards the truth. It was likely Aiden had passed his contact to Zinder in order to send that message.

Alexander had made a beeline to the location, not even bothering to stop at his apartment to get out of his military fatigues. His cybernetic arm held his bag over his shoulder with little trouble as he casually jogged down the numerous streets. There was a small musical jingle as he pushed the door open.

“Ah, Alex! My favourite customer!”

“You always say that Zag,” Alexander replied, chuckling at the boisterous Besalisk bartender. “I’ll have one of my usual, please.”

The K’paur’s eyes scanned across the establishment, not taking too long to find that familiar face. He approached with a smile on his face, though that shifted into a more sombre expression as he saw the state Zinder was in.

Right, he would probably still be in this kind of place emotionally…

“Hey Zin,” he said quietly, stopping before the table the marine was seated at.

Zinder Tokarache​

 

[Zinder Tokarache]

Location: Coruscant Bar
Equipment: Casual Clothing
Tags: Alexander Hayes

The bartender and a new voice greeted each other. A familiar sound that brought him out of the drink he had just started with a sputter. The drink lowered with a wipe to his chin as Alex approached.

A thoughtful stare as Alex came closer.

Not sure if he wanted to cry at the sight of him or stand and shake the-

A glint of metal catching his eyes as he observed the mechanical arm. The frown that appeared making him dip his head a little. Had he been better, there wouldn't have been a need for this meeting. Or the cybernetic.

"Alex." The best smile he could muster greeting the other as he motioned to a seat.

"Have a seat. Pretty miserable company on my own." The lopsided smile broken with a shake of his head as his hand slipped back around his drink.

He wasn't sure what measure the others might have of him anymore. His traipsing through Maw space keeping him from making long overdue contact perhaps souring their view. Or maybe allowing them to think he hadn't survived. Something for the better maybe. His own thoughts kept at bay by the familiar burn of his drink before the glass tinked on the table once more.

"Been a hot minute. What uh. What have you been up to?" A grin appearing as he cocked a brow at Alex. "You follow goldies example and find yourself someone to be sweet on?"

The revelation of Aiden Rennek and Briana Sal-Soren something that had taken only moments to get used to. But still a surprise as he wondered the same about Alex.