Travels

[Riamah]

"Is it not the Mandalorian way to keep one's armor on all the time unless at home?"

Maybe it was a test on the past of Targus, but Ailuros had done her research and did not yet feel confident enough in revealing her race.

"Your name was given to me as a person I should get into contact with and showing me around this world."

[member="Targus Manch"] [member="Calder Icehammer"]

 

[Targus Manch]

“Armor is worn all the time, especially at home. One can never tell where enemies might suddenly appear. The rules of hospitality dictate that we share a drink, and then discuss business. If there is business to be had at hand that is. While I know not of your clan, the Devil Dogs only shake hands to seal a contract. So again, we can have the drink, tell me what business you have with me and who sent you and then maybe we can shake hands.”

It was fortunate that protocols differed from clan to clan, what was uncertain was how true was Targus statement but it would appear he was dead serious.



[member="Ailuros"]
[member="Calder Icehammer"]

 

[Viviana]

Calder slowly lowered his paw, shrugging at [member="Ailuros"] . Shaking hands was the simplest way of showing respect to someone when first met, but if [member="Targus Manch"] and his Devil Dogs decided it was important enough to limit to comtracts, he was not going to judge. So instead he sat down across from the Zabrak and his ally, glancing occasionally to his cat ally for her lead.

 

[Riamah]

Ailuros was in a bind. Unsure of how to react, she looked at Calder who also appeared just as lost as she was. Taking a seat next to her friend and companion, she moved to take off her helmet. Each clan might be different, but there were some things she had noticed around them. They were at a bar, fight ring and restaurant. People would have to take off their helmets to eat and drink. It was for this reason she did this, not because Targus requested it.

Since it was quite common for people to be adopted into clans, the fact she wasn't human wouldn't be an issue. Simply a surprise.

"Alright, we drink."

[member="Calder Icehammer"] [member="Targus Manch"]

 

[Targus Manch]

Pouring them equal portions, he allowed to make first selection on which glass to drink before raising his glass to toast. “Fine spirits and rich loot. Pravit.” Without hesitation, downed the smoking black alcohol in one gulp before blowing a puff of cold smoke thorough his nostrils. The alcohol is heavy with flavor of oak, grape, berries, numbing the insides and causing them to exhale a fine mist of smoke. Whatever it was was potent and strong, even with one glass they could feel its effects. In fact, the larger the mass of the faster the hit could be felt.

Again he poured them another equal serving and again giving them first choice he said, “So what is the job that you need me on it? More importantly, you sent you my way?”

[member="Calder Icehammer"] [member="Ailuros"]

 

[Viviana]

The large Beorni had little trouble downing the smoking black alcohol. His people were confined to an island on the freezing planet of Midvinter, they certainly had their brews to entertain themselves. It was certainly weird that he could already feel the effects though. The larger the mass with the usual brews and spirits the longer it took for the alcohol to spread through the body and through the liver. A brow raised down at [member="Targus Manch"] as a plume of black smoke escaped Calder's nostrils. "I don't believe we're here to hire you. Only ask you a couple questions. As for who, my friend here would be the one to know."

His blue eyes glanced over to [member="Ailuros"] curiously. This was her question to truly answer after all.

 

[Riamah]

The cat accepted the drink and took it as much as anybody else that had not had a drink before would. Coughing afterward, the plume of smoke erupted from her mouth just like the others and she set the glass down.

"I don't need you for a job, sir. What I need is a job from you."

Allowing the new glass to just sit in front of her, Ailuros did not want more of that drink.

"You name was mentioned in a conversation I was listening in on, call it eavesdropping. And I wanted to meet another Mandalorian. So here I am and with my friend. What do you think? Maybe he could be one too."

That entire last part was mostly false, but she was trying to keep the real reason from being revealed.

[member="Calder Icehammer"] [member="Targus Manch"]

 

[Targus Manch]

“A couple of questions you say? Fair enough, the price is a drink per question. Don’t worry the bottles on me, but I prefer company that drinking alone.” Pausing to rub the head of strange dog affectionately, “well technically alone as one of us has to remain sober.”

“I am not a recruiter if that is what you are looking for, nor am I guide unless you are looking to get wasted, in trouble or both at the same time. Escort and retrival are my specialities, if you are looking to offer work, otherwise you could always ask the questions.” With a smile he gestured at the glasses to indicate the form of payment where the smoking liquor cloyly awaited to be swallowed.

[member="Calder Icehammer"]
[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

The cat hadn't been the one to say they had a couple questions, but would go with it. She had said she needed a job from him. So maybe both could be worked in together...Giving a feline smile as she picked up one of the glasses, she took the drink, swirled it around a little and drank it.

"I'm not the one with questions, but I need a job. What do you have in the works?"

[member="Targus Manch"] [member="Calder Icehammer"]

 

[Targus Manch]

“I may have something of interest,” he started saying before grimacing as he downed his drink and blew out plume of smoke. “I am putting together a crew for a job, we could use more hands on board if you are up to it. A shipment was stolen from a client and he is paying big credits for its recovery, sealed and unopened. I have intel that the package will be moved within the next few days. I have time and place.I could use you both, if you are interested.”

[member="Calder Icehammer"]
[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

It wasn't much, but it was a start. Ailuros turned to look at Calder and one of her ears twitched slightly. Not wanting to speak for him, she motioned with a paw in his direction before saying what her choice was.

"I would like to help. It's up to Calder if he joins or not."

Expecting him to say yes though, the cat wanted the support he could bring. All of them together could do this mission.

[member="Targus Manch"] [member="Calder Icehammer"]

 

[Viviana]

Calder silently took the shots one after another, keeping his gaze going between [member="Ailuros"] and [member="Targus Manch"] as they spoke. So they weren't there for questions. Calder gulped down another drink to hide his embarrassment of not understanding the situation. Still, it seems his cat friend was able to salvage it. With one last puff of smoke from his large nostrils and a faint grin he nodded his head to the woman.

"Of course. I'll always stand with you."

 

[Riamah]

"Looks like you've got a couple new people on your crew. What is the mission?"

Since Ailuros had asked a question, she picked up another glass and took the shot down. Having the feeling she was going to regret this in the morning, the cat hoped Calder would be able to help clear her head.

Setting the glass down, she waited for Targus to answer her question.

[member="Calder Icehammer"] [member="Targus Manch"]

 

[Targus Manch]

“The job is an item recovery. A sealed bio unit container, whose contents our employer is paying us to recover. Opposition is reportedly a small group of decently armed rogues with light vehicle support. You both would be providing extra backup for splicer to get to the locks, hook it to our transport ad. We get the hell out. Simple, no?”

[member="Calder Icehammer"]
[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

"Seems like a simple enough job, Mister Manch."

Of course with all those S's in her statement and the drink effecting her, the lisp Ailuros spoke with became very prominent. Looking at Calder, a last bit of smoke trickled out of her mouth. Hopefully she didn't need to ask any further questions and get more drunk.

[member="Targus Manch"] [member="Calder Icehammer"]

 

[Targus Manch]

The following day the pair would wake up with a pounding sensation in their temples but would be greeted with warm cups of kaff when they enter the bar. Manch was already present, looking none the worst for wear as he dug into a platter of grits and eggs. “Eat up we are heading to the hangar bay to meet up with the rest of the team.”

[member="Calder Icehammer"] [member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

With a small hiss and growl, Ailuros sat down and took the cup of caff to drink. Once the pain in her head started to subside, she carefully picked apart her breakfast and ate only what she wanted, leaving the grits behind, but nothing else.

Nodding to Targus when she finished, she started to argue with her helmet again. Swearing one the day when she could finally get rid of it, the cat said to herself she was going to destroy it.

"Ready when you are."

[member="Targus Manch"] [member="Calder Icehammer"]